Govt. cannot secure release of suspects produced in court – Justice Minister

Officials acted to protect archaeological site – Wimal

By Saman Indrajith

Parliament descended into chaos yesterday morning as the TNA MPs staged a protest, demanding that the government ensure religious freedom of the Tamils.They shouted slogans in Tamil, English and Sinhala protesting against the arrest of eight civilians who were conducting a ‘pooja’ in view of the Maha Shivaratri Day on 08 March in an archaeological site.

The TNA MPs invaded the Well of the House when sittings commenced with Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapakshe presiding at 9.30 a.m. for the debate on the no-confidence motion against Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.

Opposition and SJB leader Sajith Premadasa, Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella and several SJB MPs also joined the protest.

Premadasa said that religious freedom was a fundamental right, and the Chair must give a ruling ensuring that right.

Chief Government Whip Housing Minister Prasanna Ranatunga:

The Opposition MPs are wasting the time of the House.

Deputy Speaker Rajapakshe:

Everybody puts up shows these days.

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena:

We are not against the Opposition MPs raising this issue.

They could do so in a proper manner. They can go back to their chairs and raise the issue.

Wanni District TNA MP Charles Nirmalanathan:

Eight persons have been taken into custody. They should be set free. A bogus case has been filed against them.

Opposition Leader Premadasa:

This House is duty bound to uphold the Constitution.

Freedom of religion is a constitutionally guaranteed right.

The protest was called off after Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe assured an impartial and comprehensive investigation into the incident. “We hope that the court will serve justice to this incident. It is not fair for the MPs to protest in the House demanding that suspects of a case pending before courts be released. Now the matter is before court. We assure that the investigations would be impartial and all facts would be presented to the court,” Minister Rajapakshe said.

Dissident SLPP MP Wimal Weerawansa said the TNA was trying to create religious disharmony with an eye to the coming elections. The Archaeological Department officials had taken a group of persons who were performing a pooja in violation of the law and produced them in court. They must not be penalized for doing their job, he said.