Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP M.A. Sumanthiran raised a question of privilege in Parliament today, informing that he and fellow party member Shanakiyan Rasamanickam had been followed by unidentified men after leaving Parliament yesterday (05).
Addressing the Parliament, MP Sumanthiran said the Cinnamon Garden Police had identified the suspects as officers of the Intelligence Unit who had been detailed to follow the two MPs.
MP Sumanthiran further pointed out, however, the officers were found to be using a motorcycle registered in the Eastern Province.
“This incident had occurred after the Committee on Ethics and Privileges had established that an individual backed by Batticaloa District MP Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan had posted an insulting video on social media related to TNA MP R. Sampanthan,” he said.
MP Sumanthiran questioned Parliament about why Intelligence officers were being detailed to follow opposition Parliamentarians and if such officers were provided vehicles registered in the Eastern province.
He further called on the Speaker to immediately investigate the matter, stating that it was a threat to the lives of both him and MP Shanakiyan, as well as a violation of their Parliamentary privileges. (NewsWire)
According to Police, an intelligence officer had been detailed to follow @ShanakiyanR & myself. This is a violation of our @ParliamentLK privileges. Why are intelligence officers detailed to follow Opposition MPs? – @MASumanthiran #SriLanka #SLnews #Colombo pic.twitter.com/N7s7KwITtb
— Manthri.LK_Watch (@ManthriLK_Watch) October 6, 2022