Defence Ministry Secretary, General (Retired) Kamal Gunaratne and Army Commander, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage have tendered an apology to Opposition Parliamentarian Chandima Weerakkody, it was reported.
According to The Morning, the apology had been made on the directive issued by the Parliamentary Committee on Ethics and Privileges, over the incident of the officials having allegedly threatened the MP within the Parliament premises.
In October last year, MP Weerakkody informed the Parliament that he had been threatened by Gunaratne and Liyanage during a session of the Parliamentary Sectoral Oversight Committee (SOC) on National Security chaired by Government MP, Rear Admiral (Retired), Dr. Sarath Weerasekera.
At the time, MP Weerakkody told the Parliament that the Defence Secretary and Army Commander gave threatening responses before the SOC on National Security concerning a statement he had made in the Parliament about the alleged misuse of vehicles by high-ranking officers of the Army.
Following a complaint by the MP, the Ethics and Privileges Committee had investigated the matter after which it had directed the duo in question to tender an apology to MP Chandima Weerakkody.
The committee also highlighted that Chairmen of Parliamentary committees should conduct the sessions impartially and take measures to protect the MPs’ privileges, while the attendees should be aware of the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act. (NewsWire)
