Heathrow protest:

Dinesh calls for probe on JJ

Parliamentary Corr.

Chief Government Whip and Watter Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said in Parliament yesterday that an investigation should be commenced against UNP MP Jayalath Jayawardana who protested with pro LTTE activists at the Heathrow Airport in London when President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived to address the Oxford Union.

The Minister made this observation raising a point of order at the commencement of the orders of the day. Minister Gunawardena also added that it is a serous issue a member sworn when in accordance with the Constitution joining a banned outfit to protest against the Government.

A special investigation should be made into this matter, he said. Considering security concerns, the Oxford Union cancelled the President Mahinda Rajapaksa's address.

The Minister also said that the President is in the UK with a senior delegation of the politicians and business leaders.

The delegation will also meet UK parliamentarians, business leaders and members of the Sri Lankan community in UK. Minister Gunewardena said that the speech was cancelled in the home of free speech reportedly as a result of pressure applied by pro-LTTE activist.

The Minister added that President Rajapaksa had said he would continue to seek venues in the UK and elsewhere where he can talk about his future vision for Sri Lanka.Minister Gunawardena added that the President had stated he would continue in his efforts to unite all people of the country whether they lived in Sri Lanka or overseas.

Gunawardena said President Rajapaksa had told that as an united country, the country has a great future and if divisions allowed to dominate, we will not realize our true potential.