Concern about Opposition Leader

Nation Building Minister Jagath Pushpakumara told Parliament yesterday that a group of UNP MPs are preventing Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe from attending the Parliamentary session.

The Minister raising a point of order said it is the responsibility of the Speaker to ensure the privileges of both Government and Opposition Parliamentarians.

Not a single UNP MP was in the Chamber when the Minister raised the point of order. All UNP MPs had participated in their Parliamentary Group Meeting held in a committee room at the Parliamentary complex at that time.

The Opposition Leader should be allowed to come to the Chamber. I request the Speaker to focus his attention regarding this matter, he said.

(UK and Ir)