Puttalam District Parliamentarian Ali Sabry Raheem is not suitable to hold a seat in the Parliament of Sri Lanka, the civil society umbrella group “March 12 Movement”  stated in a four-point statement.

According to the civil society group, Ali Sabry Raheem has proven to be involved in corruption following his recent detention for the possession of undeclared gold and mobile phones.

The March 12 Movement called on the authorities to investigate the previous travels of the MP to ascertain if he had been involved in similar corrupt activities.

The movement also raised concerns over the fine imposed on the Parliamentarian, claiming that the maximum penalty had not been enforced against the MP as per the laws.

Stating that several Parliamentarians have requested an investigation against the MP, the March 12 Movement said, however, the Speaker of the Parliament is yet to make a statement on the matter. 

Condemning moves to protect the Parliamentarian, the March 12 Movement warned that inaction by the Parliament and the President may result in Sri Lanka being recognized as a nation that disregards its laws. (NewsWire)

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Party Leaders have decided that a motion must be presented to remove MP Ali Sabry Raheem from his Parliamentary seat. 

According to Opposition MP Mano Ganesan, the decision was taken by the Committee on Parliamentary Business which met today (26).

MP Mano Ganesan said irrespective of Government and Opposition benches, party leaders decided to request the Speaker to suspend MP Ali Sabry Raheem from Parliament. 

During the meeting, former Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa pointed out that the Speaker has the authority to take such an action. 

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, and MPs Mano Ganesan, M.A. Sumanthiran, and Lakshman Kiriella informed that the opposition MPs have already handed over a petition to the Speaker in this regard.

MP Mano Ganesan further stated that as MP Ali Sabry Raheem belongs to the government benches, the government needs to initiate action by agreeing to suspend him from Parliament.

The request has been put forward to the Speaker after Puttalam District MP Ali Sabry Raheem was detained by Sri Lanka Customs officials upon his arrival at the Katunayake Airport from Dubai on Tuesday (May 22).

MP Ali Sabry Raheem was found to be in possession of undeclared gold, weighing over 3 kilograms, which was valued at Rs. 74 million and 91 smartphones, which were in his luggage, valued at more than Rs. 4.2 million.

The MP was fined Rs. 7.5 million and released on payment of same while the undeclared gold and mobile phones were confiscated. (NewsWire)

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The fine imposed on Puttalam District MP Ali Sabry Raheem for the possession of undeclared gold is the highest fine to be imposed with regard to seized gold in Sri Lanka in recent times, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya stated.

Speaking in Parliament today, State Minister Siyambalapitiya stated that even though the Customs Law outlines a maximum of a three-fold fine based on the value of the seized gold, no such fine has been imposed in Sri Lanka recently

Questioning the State Minister, Opposition MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara queried why a lesser fine had been imposed on the MP even though the law states a three-fold fine for such crimes.

Responding to MP Bandara, State Minister Siyambalapitiya said, “I can assure you that the fine that has been imposed on MP Ali Sabry Raheem is the highest to be imposed in comparison to the fines issued in Sri Lanka in recent times for such an offence,” he added.

Puttalam District MP Ali Sabry Raheem was detained by Sri Lanka Customs officials upon his arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake from Dubai on Tuesday (May 22).

MP Ali Sabry Raheem was found to be in possession of undeclared gold, weighing over 3 kilograms, which was valued at Rs. 74 million and 91 smartphones, which were in his luggage, valued at more than Rs. 4.2 million.

The MP was fined Rs. 7.5 million and released on payment of same while the undeclared gold and mobile phones were confiscated. (NewsWire)

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Approximately 30 members of the Opposition today made a written request from the Speaker of the Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena in this regard. 

MP Ali Sabry Raheem was detained by Sri Lanka Customs officials upon his arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake from Dubai on Tuesday (May 22). 

He was found to be in possession of undeclared gold weighing over 3 kilograms and valued at Rs. 74 million, and 91 smartphones, which were in his luggage, valued at more than Rs. 4.2 million. 

MP Ali Sabry Raheem was fined Rs. 7.5 million and released on payment of same while the undeclared gold and mobile phones were confiscated. (NewsWire)

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Puttalam District MP Ali Sabry Raheem has been imposed a fine for the possession of undeclared gold and other electronic items worth over Rs. 78 million.

The Sri Lanka Customs stated that the MP was fined Rs. 7.5 million and released on payment of same while the undeclared gold and mobile phones have been confiscated.

The MP was detained by Sri Lanka Customs officials upon his arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake from Dubai yesterday. 

MP Ali Sabry Raheem was found to be in possession of undeclared gold, weighing over 3 kilograms, which was valued at Rs. 74 million. 

Additionally, customs officials also recovered 91 smartphones, which were in his luggage, valued at more than Rs. 4.2 million.

MP Ali Sabry Raheem’s arrest for smuggling caused a debate in Parliament yesterday, with many MPs calling for disciplinary action against the MP. (NewsWire)

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