JVP 'intimidated' parliamentarian
A political ally of Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa is accused of intimidating a parliamentarian who has decided to resign from the party.
The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) is accused by Gampaha district MP, Anjaan Umma, of preventing her from attending parliamentary sessions. It is a violation of parliamentary privileges to prevent an MP from attending the sessions. Subjected to party's control In a letter to the police chief Ms. Umma says that she left her residence on 16 June, together with the son, as the JVP continuously intimidated her. “During the last period, I was subjected to our party’s total control,” the letter issued to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) stated. Admitting that the party has managed to drive some of her family members to act against her, Ms. Umma requests the police to provide her adequate protection. She insists that resigning from the JVP was her own decision. It is not the first time the JVP is accused of threatening and intimidating party dissidents. The JVP was earlier accused of plotting to kill senior MP Sunil Handunetti. 'Tried to kill' MP A close associate of Mr. Handunnetti, Dimuthu Ketipeaarachchi, told BBC Sandeshaya that the MP was planning to leave Sri Lanka but the JVP put him under ‘house arrest’. Senior JVP leader Vijitha Herath categorically denied the accusations but refused to comment any further. The JVP split in two on 08 April as then parliamentary group leader, Wimal Weerawansa, made a special announced in parliament accusing the party of stabbing him from the back. It is not clear whether Ms. Umma has decided to join the JVP dissident group headed by Mr. Weerawansa.