MP Raheem suspended from Parliament for one month over abortive smuggling bid

By Saman Indrajith

A motion was passed in Parliament yesterday (06) to suspend Puttalam District Muslim National Alliance MP Ali Sabri Raheem from sittings in the House for a duration of one month over his attempt to smuggle in gold and cell phones into the country through the VIP channel at the Bandaranaike International Airport last year.

All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) member, who contested the Puttalam district on the Muslim National Alliance (MNA), paid a fine of Rs 7.5 mn in March last year after Customs at the BIA thwarted an attempt made by him to smuggle in gold and smartphones worth Rs 80 mn. The following day, he attended Parliament.

Raheem was suspended on recommendation by the Parliamentary Privileges Committee which probed the MP’s attempt to smuggle in a stock of gold and mobile phones into the country, using his diplomatic passport and parliamentary privileges in May 2023.

The motion was presented by the Leader of the House Education Minister Susil Premajayanth, who stated that the Privileges Committee had recommended the ban of the MP from the House for one month.

The suspension came into effect yesterday.