Three opposition MPs threaten UNP’s Mujibur Rahuman

By Sandasen Marasinghe and Irangika Range

UNP Parliamentarian Mujibur Rahuman raising a privilege issue in Parliament said that three opposition members threatened him with death for speaking about the alleged murder of Wasim Thajudeen.Speaker Karu Jayasuriya observed that the matter would be referred to the Privileges Committee and a ruling would be given within the first two weeks of next month.

MP Rahuman moving his privilege matter said that he was obstructed and surrounded by three UPFA MPs Johnston Fernando, Indika Anuruddha and Sanath Nishantha on Friday and prevented him delivering his speech in the Parliament.

He said that he was speaking during the committee stage debate on the budget proposals under the financial heads of the Foreign Employment Ministry and Foreign Affairs Ministry while he was surrounded by the three members.“They threatened me not to speak of Thajudeen’s death” Rahuman said.

“They told me to continue on the same matter at the cost of my life,” he said. Rahuman further said these threats were a breach of his privileges and requested the matter to be investigated.

“ Standing Orders and the provisions of the Parliament Privileges Act, has guaranteed the right to freedom of expression,” Rahuman said.