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SJB appeals to Speaker to allow ACMC Leader Bathiudeen to attend Parliament
By Saman Indrajith
Chief Opposition Whip and Kandy District MP Lakshman Kiriella in Parliament yesterday (18) requested Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to allow ACMC leader and Vanni District SJB MP Rishad Bathiudeen to participate in parliamentary proceedings.
“MP Bathiudeen is now among COVID-19 infected persons. He is not allowed to come to Parliament. We have brought this matter to the notice of the Speaker several times. The Speaker is duty bound to protect the rights of MPs. MP Bathiudeen has a right to be here. He could be brought here and a special seating arrangement could be made for him.”
Speaker Abeywardena: We have informed the Prisons Commissioner help him with attending Parliament.
MP Kiriella: While the SJB MP in the prison is treated that way, a government member who is also in prison is allowed to go to festivals. MP Pillaiyan has been allowed to go out and to lay foundation stones. Isn’t it unfair to treat those two in two different ways?
Speaker Abeywardena: MP Pillaiyan is in Batticaloa.
MP Kiriella: In Batticaloa yes, but he is in remand prison there. I saw him on TV attending ceremonies and festivals. This is unfair. We hope you would rectify this error and enable MP Bathiudeen to come to Parliament.