SJB asks whether narcotic tablet ‘reverse’ was taken by prisoners or govt. members

By Saman Indrajith

Kurunegala District SJB MP Nalin Bandara Jayamaha yesterday said in Parliament that a probe should be conducted to find out who actually used the particular narcotic tablets, which some government members claimed had been found in the Mahara Prison. “This is said to be a tablet with serious effects. Its name has been mentioned as ‘Reverse’. We are not sure whether the tablet is also used by the ministers and MPs of this government because all of them are moving backwards. None of them move forward. Does it mean that the government rank members are using the Reverse tablet.”

 He said: “Minister Weerawansa said that there was an international conspiracy. When he says so, it is the duty of the government to investigate it given his experience in international conspiracies.”

 The MP raised the issue as a point of order after JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake made a special statement on the recent incidents at the Mahara Prison.

Gampaha District SJB MP Dr Kavinda Jayawardana said that he had received many complaints that the prison authorities had not released the names of those killed and injured in the clash. “The parents and loved ones of the inmates in the Mahara prison have now gone there and are waiting outside to know who had actually been killed and wounded. The authorities should release their names to the public.”

 Gampaha District SJB MP Harshana Rajakaruna: The clash started because the inmates demanded that PCR tests should be conducted. Now, the parents weeping outside the prison are asking whether their children in the prison are still alive. This is a serious issue. Nine persons have been killed.

 Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena: You are raising the same issue as JVP Leader MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake. You are repeating what he said.

MP Harshana Rajakaruna: No this issue matters to us. I am from the Mahara electorate in the Gampaha District. Many of the inmates in the Mahara are from our district. Their parents call me and call for our intervention to find out what has befallen their loved one. The names of the dead and the injured must be made public.”