Earth Times
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At least 15 government members surrounded opposition Untied National Party lawmaker Jayalath Jaywardena, claiming he instigated members of the Tamil minority to protest against Rajapaksa.
Colombo – Sri Lanka's Parliament was disrupted for an hour on Thursday when ruling party members attempted to manhandle an opposition politician, accusing him of organizing protests in London against President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is in Britain on a private visit.
At least 15 government members surrounded opposition Untied National Party lawmaker Jayalath Jaywardena, claiming he instigated members of the Tamil minority to protest against Rajapaksa.
An address to the Oxford Union by Rajapaksa scheduled for Thursday was called off by the organizers amidst security concerns after Tamil groups vowed to protest at the venue.
"There is a traitor among us who has been responsible for the protests," said Dinesh Gunawardena, a minister.
He was referring to Jayawardena, who had been in London prior to Rajapaksa's arrival there Monday. Jayawardena, who has been campaigning for the human rights of the Tamil minority, denied that he was involved in organizing the protests.
A spokesman said the Ministry of Defence was studying cases where opposition parliamentarians allegedly travelled overseas and instigated minority Tamils to carry on their separatist campaign in Sri Lanka.
Members of the Tamil diaspora protested at London's Heathrow airport when Rajapaksa arrived, but he left by another exit. More protests have been organized in London for Friday.
The rebels of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam were defeated in a civil war which ended in May 2009. Most of the demonstrators are Tamils who fled the country during the 26-year conflict.
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