Gang obstructs Wickremasinghe on his way to parliament

[TamilNet, Thursday, 05 June 2008, 21:05 GMT]
"It is a slur on the democracy," said Speaker W.J.M.Lokkubandara Thursday in parliament commenting on the protest by a group of persons blocking the road that leads to Jayewardene Parliamentary Complex and shouting slogans against Ranil Wickremasinghe, leader of the main United National Party (UNP) when he was on his way to attend the opening of the third session of the sixth parliament, parliamentary sources said.

Wickremasinghe immediately on his arrival in parliament raised a privilege motion stating that he was obstructed by a group of persons shouting against him. This is tantamount to breach of privilege of a parliamentarian, he said.

Mr. Wickremasinghe requested the Speaker to begin an inquiry into the conduct of the police who were standing at that site when he was obstructed by a group of persons.

The Speaker expressed his dissatisfaction over the incident and referred the complaint of the leader of the opposition to the Committee of Privilege for inquiry, sources said.