The Fort Magistrate’s Court has issued a warrant for the arrest of Parliamentarian Ramanathan Archchuuna after he failed to appear in court for a hearing related to a case in which he is accused of obstructing police duty.

The warrant was issued when the matter was taken up before the Fort Magistrate, following the MP’s absence despite being summoned to appear.

MP Ramanathan Archchuna, who was arrested earlier on 29 september, has been released on bail by the Fort Magistrate’s Court.

Police said the Jaffna MP was arrested in connection with an incident on 22 September, in which he allegedly obstructed police duty near the Fort Railway Station during a protest. According to a senior police officer, Archchuna had parked his vehicle in a prohibited area in front of the railway station and later verbally threatened a traffic police officer, refused to produce his driving licence, and drove away when action was initiated.

Police said the MP faces four charges, including obstruction of police duty, intimidation and threatening of a police officer, and causing obstruction by illegally parking a vehicle.