Motion to remove smuggler MP from all House Committees moved

By Saman Indrajith

A motion to remove Puttalam District MP MP Ali Sabri Raheem from all Parliamentary Committees was moved and seconded in Parliament on Friday.  Opposition and SJB leader Sajith Premadasa moved the motion which was seconded by Chief Opposition Whip Kandy District SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella.

A date would be fixed for the House to debate and vote on the motion in the next sitting week, Kiriella said.

Moving the motion, Opposition Leader Premadasa said that Raheem, who was arrested by Sri Lanka Customs with undeclared gold and smartphones on 23 May, was released on 24 May morning after he paid a fine of Rs 7.4 million.

Premadasa queried whether it was the correct procedure and whether Rahmeem had been given the exact legal penalty that an ordinary offender would have got. Chief Opposition Whip Kiriella said that Raheem would remain an MP since there are no provisions to remove him from the post through a vote in parliament.

Though many have found fault with the Soulbury Constitution, it had provisions to remove MPs for wrongdoings. Four MPs were removed on bribery charges after the then parliament voted for their removal, Kiriella said.Those provisions have ceased to exist since 1972, he said.