Jaffna District Independent MP Ramanathan Archchuna today (21) told Parliament that Puttalam District MP Faizal of the National People’s Power (NPP) had threatened to kill him.

Archchuna said that under Standing Order 27(2), he had raised a question regarding the Puttalam Hospital with Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, when MP Faizal became agitated and directed a death threat at him.

Although the Speaker initially ruled that it was not a matter of order, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and several Opposition MPs insisted that a death threat inside Parliament was a serious matter, and requested that Archchuna be allowed to present the details.

Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne then permitted the MP to raise the issue.

He stated that during the debate he had stressed the need to develop the Puttalam Hospital, but MP Faizal had dismissed it by saying changing the hospital board was sufficient. He added that later, in the MPs’ dining area, Faizal had allegedly shouted at him and threatened to kill him, warning him not to come to Puttalam.

The MP requested an immediate investigation, saying CCTV footage from the premises could be used as evidence.

The Speaker instructed Archchuna to submit the complaint in writing.