Premalal Jayasekara, who shot an opposition activist, escorted to parliament after court rules he can take up seat
Premalal Jayasekara, centre, who is been an MP since 2001, is sworn in. Photograph: Ishara S Kodikara/AFP/Getty
Agence France-Presse in Colombo-Tue 8 Sep 2020
A Sri Lankan politician sentenced to death for murder has been escorted from prison to parliament to become the first convict to be sworn in as an MP, amid heckles from the opposition.
Premalal Jayasekara, 45, from the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna party (SLPP), was convicted in August of murdering an opposition activist after opening fire at a 2015 election rally. As his conviction and sentence came after nominations for the 5 August poll, he was able to contest the election and take up his seat.
When the new parliament held its first session on 20 August prison authorities refused to let him out, but he petitioned the court of appeal, which on Monday ruled he should be escorted from prison to exercise his rights as an MP.
Opposition lawmakers wearing black shawls in protest heckled as Jayasekara took the oath, and several staged a walkout. He is to be escorted back to prison after the day’s session.
Opposition MPs wear black shawls in parliament in protest as Premalal Jayasekara, unseen, takes the oath. Photograph: Ishara S Kodikara/AFP/Getty
In January 2015, Jayasekara, who has been an MP since 2001, opened fire at a stage being set up for an election event by a rival party, killing one person. He has appealed against his conviction and the death sentence.
Although Sri Lanka hands down death sentences, no one has been executed since 1976.
Jayasekara is not the only legislator to be escorted from prison to parliament in Sri Lanka. Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, the former Eastern Province chief minister elected to parliament in the August election and awaiting trial for murder, is brought in for legislative sessions.
