Imprisoned MPs not allowed to attend Parliament sessions

The Business Committee of Parliament has decided not to allow parliamentarians currently jailed at Welikada and Magazine prisons to attend parliament sessions due to the prevailing COVID-19 situation.

Accordingly, Batticaloa District MP and Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal Party (TMVP) leader Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan, Wanni District MP and All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) leader Rishad Bathiudeen, who are in remand custody, and Ratnapura District MP Premalal Jayasekara, who is serving a death sentence at the Welikada Prison, will not be summoned attend parliamentary sittings.

However, in the event of a vote taken in Parliament, the MPs will be brought to Parliament following strict safety measures in accordance with health regulations, the Serjeant-at-Arms Narendra Fernando said.