The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) did not allow MP Rishad Bathiudeen to attend parliamentary sessions yesterday.

Although Speaker of Parliament, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane, had permitted ACMCleader Bathiudeen to attend Parliament while serving a 90 day detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act 1979, the CID did not allow the MP to attend Parliament yesterday.

Last week, Chief Opposition Whip, Lakshman Kiriella requested Speaker Abeywardane to permit Bathiudeen to attend Parliament, to which the Speaker acceded. Thereafter, Sergeant-at-arms Narendra Fernando had informed the Director of CID to permit Bathiudeen to attend Parliament.

It is learnt the CID did not comply with the request from Parliament citing CoVid-19 related concerns. The Wanni District Parliamentarian had been subjected to a PCR test after the CID informed that the wife of one of the cadre had tested positive for CoVid-19. However, the results of the PCR test have not been revealed till now.