Ranjan will not be summoned to parliament, until court gives an order; Speaker

Colombo (News 1st); 

Ranjan Ramanayake will not be summoned to Parliament until the court delivers a verdict, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena told the Sri Lankan Parliament on Wednesday (10). 'The matter of Ranjan Ramanayake is taken before the court and we have been informed to maintain the status quo', the speaker told the house in response to a question posed by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa. However, the opposition leader pointed that maintaining the status quo means the parliamentary seat of Ranjan Ramanayake will remain unchanged, adding Sri Lanka had pledged to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in which it is mentioned that an appeal can be filed with respect to any punishment. Premadasa went on to note until the courts decide on the matter, the Speaker is obliged to award the privileges given to Premalal Jayasekera to attend parliament, to Ranjan Ramanayake as well. "You cannot treat Premalal Jayasekara and Ranjan Ramanayake differently," stressed the opposition leader. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6-KLLUr3HA[/embed]