Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa urged the Speaker to look after the welfare of Parliamentarian Gajendran Ponnambalam, who was arrested by the Nedunkerni Police on a warrant issued by a magistrate.

Premadasa told Parliament that Ponnambalam should be able to attend Parliamentary sittings in view of the privileges that an MP is entitled to.

He said that former Speaker Chamal Rajapakse has set out guidelines on the steps to be taken in the event of an MP being taken into police custody.

He invited the Speaker to act forthwith according to those guidelines to safeguard the interests of Mr Ponnambalam.