The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna

¶ 01 Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem.

¶ 02 Hon. Deputy Speaker, I seek leave to raise an urgent Question of Privilege concerning my personal safety, the Government’s continued failure to provide adequate security to me as a duly elected Member of Parliament, and discriminatory treatment against me as a representative of the Tamil minority.

¶ 03 I refer to the letter dated 05.06.2026 from the Sergeant-at-Arms, Mr. Kushan Jayaratne, which reinforces my longstanding concerns.

¶ 04 I have repeatedly informed the Speaker through letters and Privilege Motions that my safety is under serious threat. The Speaker is responsible for ensuring the safety and protection of every Member without discrimination.

¶ 05 Despite repeated requests, the Ministry of Defence has failed or refused to provide even minimum security ordinarily afforded to an MP, exposing me to significant personal risk while carrying out my duties.

¶ 06 After repeated requests, the Government decided to issue me a personal firearm for self-protection. I never wished to carry a firearm in politics, but due to the failure to provide adequate security, I was compelled to rely on it.

¶ 07 I also draw attention to an incident on my private land, a longstanding dispute originating under the previous Government involving former Minister Douglas Devananda. I raised concerns regarding interference with my ownership and possession and have given statements before the Mallakam Magistrate’s Court in 2023.

¶ 08 Several months ago, while on the land pursuant to Magistrate’s permission for cleaning and maintenance, individuals affiliated with the former Minister’s party confronted me. Stones were thrown, threatening my Secretary and me. I drew the firearm issued for my protection but categorically did not discharge it. No shot was fired.

¶ 09 Despite this, after media footage circulated, the Thilavallai Police filed a case against me although I did not use the firearm. The case is before Court and the firearm is in the custody of the Mallakam Magistrate’s Court.

¶ 10 Further, I had already instituted proceedings before the Mallakam Magistrate’s Court over death threats from certain members of the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi and certain Pradeshiya Sabha members. Three voice recordings were produced; preliminary investigation indicated voice matches to those making the threats. These demonstrate that threats to my life are real, serious, and connected to my political activities.

¶ 11 The continued failure to provide adequate security to me as an MP constitutes a serious breach of Parliamentary Privileges and interferes with my ability to discharge my constitutional duties without fear.

¶ 12 Accordingly, I seek leave to raise a Question of Privilege against: 1. The Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Minister of Defence; 2. The Hon. Deputy Minister of Defence; and 3. Mr. Priyantha Weerasooriya, Inspector General of Police, for failing to ensure adequate security despite repeated warnings, representations, complaints, and documented threats.

¶ 13 Please permit this as an urgent Question of Privilege today to safeguard the rights, privileges, security and independence of Members, and to ensure no Member is subjected to discrimination, intimidation or danger while carrying out Parliamentary functions.

¶ 14 Additionally, I note I was earlier asked to shorten my Privilege Question due to time, whereas Hon. Hemachandra spoke for nine minutes. This should be applied equally.