(UTV | COLOMBO) – Attorney General Dappula de Livera today (05) informed that Parliamentarian Rishad Bathiudeen can attend Parliament sittings.
On a request by the Director of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), the Attorney General stated that there is no legal impediment in allowing Parliamentarian Rishad Bathiudeen to attend Parliament sessions.
Although Speaker of Parliament, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, had consented to Parliamentarian Rishad Bathiudeen, to attend Parliament while serving a 90-day detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) of 1979, the CID has not permitted the former Minister to attend sessions today as well.
Last week, the Chief Opposition Whip, Lakshman Kiriella requested the Speaker to permit Bathiudeen to attend Parliament, to which the Speaker acceded. Thereafter, Sergeant-at-Arms Narendra Fernando had informed the Director of CID in this regard.
Parliament was scheduled to sit yesterday and today, and Bathiudeen was expected to attend Parliament and deliver an address. However, the CID has not complied by the request from Parliament citing COVID-19 related concerns.
The Vanni District Parliamentarian had been subjected to a PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) Test after the CID informed that the wife of one of the cadre had tested positive for COVID-19. However, the results of the PCR Test have not been revealed till now.
The Opposition has raised concerns over the matter.