Provide at least 4 police officers for MP’s security: SC

(March 05, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Chief Justice Ashoka N. De Silva informed senior state counselViveka Siriwardena to provide at least four police officers for the security of former parliamentarians.

This order was issued when a petition filed on behalf of 18 former parliamentarians on the removal of security provided to them was taken up for consideration before the Supreme Court today.

Appearing for the petitioners, President's Counsel Thilak Marapana pointed out that following the dissolution of parliament, the security provided to MPs had been completely withdrawn.

However, he pointed out that the threats against them continued to remain the same.

He observed that it was a violation of fundamental rights to withdraw the security provided to opposition MPs while the government ministers continued to enjoy the same level of security.

Speaking further, the president's counsel said that opposition MPs would take up the issue when parliament convened on the 9th of March under the instructions of the president.

He requested permission to make submissions with regard to the fundamental rights petition if a resolution could not be reached on that day.

The court granted time until March 16 for the purpose.