Death threat on MP for voting with Govt

Rasika Somarathna

Kandy district United National Party (UNP) Parliamentarian A.R.M.Abdul Cader has received death threats following his decision to vote in favour of the Budget at the end of its Second reading in Parliament Saturday.

The vote on the Second reading of the 2010 Budget was passed in Parliament with a majority of 63 votes Saturday with Cader voting in favour of the Budget, differing from his other opposition UNP members who decided to vote against.

Following the death threats, Cader had lodged a complaint at the Kollupitiya Police station.

When contacted Kollupitiya Police Station OIC confirmed that they had received a complaint from Cader and had taken immediate measures to investigate the matter.

The OIC said they are yet to identify the anonymous caller who allegedly levelled death threats against the MP and added that steps would be taken to track the number after obtaining a court order. Cader voiced concern over the incident which he described as a cowardly act.

He also alleged that his own party had taken steps to prevent him from making an earlier scheduled speech in Parliament during the Budget. He was of the opinion that democracy should prevail within the UNP and harassment and threats should not be the tools to counter differing views.