A heated debate occurred in Parliament today over permitting imprisoned Opposition MP Rishad Bathiudeen to attend Parliament proceedings.
The Opposition today called on the Speaker to permit All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) MP Rishad Bathiudeen to attend Parliament.
Several Opposition MPs pointed out that not allowing Bathiudeen to attend Parliament sessions was a violation of the Parliamentary privileges and the law.
Responding to the Opposition, Minister of Public Security Sarath Weerasekara requested the Speaker not to permit MP Bathiudeen to attend Parliament sittings as it would obstruct ongoing investigations.
He said MP Bathiudeen must not be allowed to attend Parliament until the conclusion of the investigations, as he has been detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
Meanwhile, the Attorney General (AG) has announced that there is no legal impediment in facilitating MP Rishad Bathiudeen from attending Parliamentary Sessions.
The AG had revealed his decision in response to a request from the Director of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on the matter. (NewsWire)