Ranil raises privilege issue in Parliament

(June 05, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe raised a privilege issue in Parliament alleging he was obstructed from attending the new Parliamentary sessions which began at 10.00 a.m. today. Mr. Wickremesinghe said his security personnel had informed that several vehicles had been used to block the entrance of the Parliament drive at the parliament rounabout and he was force to use an alternative road to get to the legislature. (Image: Armed forces provide protection for Members of Parliament driving past protestors towards Parliament on Thursday. The protest was organized by pro-government supporters against opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe causing a high security risk. Pic by M.A.Pushpakumara)

Hundreds of government supporters had gathered near the round about carrying banners and placards accusing the opposition leader of being a “LTTE agent” and “traitor”. Speaker W.J.M.Lokubandara said in response that any attempt to obstruct MPs from attending session is a serious violations of the privileges of Mps and that he had already spoken to IGP Victor Perera about the issue and was assured there would be no obstruction to any MP coming to Parliament.

Meanwhile police escorting Mps to Parliament were force to take extra precautions to bring the MPs to Parliament as protestors were waiting at the rounabout which the Mps had to pass.
- Sri Lanka Guardian