Members of the Joint Opposition submitted a request to the Secretary of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) over the unjust treatment of members of parliament by law enforcement authorities during the Hambantota protests that were staged in Sri Lanka on October 6. 

In an e-mail correspondence between Leader of the Joint Opposition in Parliament MP Dinesh Gunawardena and the Secretary of the IPU Martin Chungong that reads, 

“On 10 October 2017, the Hambantota Police of Sri Lanka summoned members of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa, D.V.Chanaka and Prasanna Ranaweera to record their statements regarding a peaceful protest held on October 6 2017, giving the Mattala International Airport on a long-term lease to India. They were then remanded in custody until October 16. 

This goes against the traditions of Parliamentary Democracy in Sri Lanka. Hitherto, Parliamentarians have enjoyed the right to engage in public demonstrations, meeting public protestors, sit-downs and visiting public places & institutions around the country in order to discharge their duties and obligations as representatives of the people. 

This action of the Government and Police is a gross violation of this right enjoyed by a Member of Parliament. 

Therefore, I request an early appointment to place and to submit representation on this grave and dangerous step taken against the above Members of Parliament in my Parliamentary group” the JO requested an audience with the Secretary of the IPU to discuss their grievances. 

Upon the request of the JO, a contingent of Lankan delegates met with Martin Chungong at the Headquarters of the IPU in Geneva yesterday (4), to discuss their request. 

The contingent that included MP Dullas Alahapperuma, Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Gamini Lokuge and other representatives of the JO, discussed several issued surrounding the current governing structure of Sri Lanka.