Speaker to request death threats against him be investigated

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya   said he would consult with security officials to ask them to investigate who was behind the death threats he had received via telephone after the disturbance in Parliament on Tuesday over the demand by a group of UPFA MPs that they are recognized as a separate group in the Legislature.

The Speaker said that he was not deterred by such threats but said he would ask security officials to investigate the matter.

 “Threats are not new to me. I have faced bomb attacks. I was never shaken or disturbed by them,” the Speaker said when Chief Opposition Whip and JVP MPs Anura Kumara Dissanayake raised the matter in the House today.

Mr.Dissanayake said differences of opinion aside; all MPs are bound by the decisions given by the Speaker. He also condemned the death threats and said the Speaker should have them investigated.

UPFA Colombo District MP Bandula Gunawardena who is among those who want recognition as a separate group in the House said that the Joint Opposition will always uphold the principles of democracy  and condemned the threats directed at the  Speaker.