Sri Lanka’s opposition lawmakers on Tuesday demanded the removal of an anti-graft panel chief alleging “biased conduct” after she summoned former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to appear before the commission to give a statement on his alleged breaking of election laws.
Director-General of the Commission to Investigate Bribery Or Corruption Dilrukshi Dias Wickramasingha’s move to summon Mr. Rajapaksa to appear before the commission triggered a stormy debate in Parliament on Tuesday morning.
“We move for her removal because her conduct is unacceptable,” Nimal Siripala de Silva, the main opposition leader, told Parliament.
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“We the opposition MPs have signed a petition calling for her removal with 1134 signatures,” said Bandula Gunawardena, an opposition legislator.
“Everyone is equal before the law,” Justice Minister Wijayadasa Rajapaksha said.
The protesting MPs, who slept in the well of the chamber, urged Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa to summon Ms. Wickramsingha to question her conduct.
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Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe argued that Mr. Rajapaksa was not a parliamentarian so he was not covered by parliamentary privilege.