In a highly controversial remark, Joint Opposition MP and Mahajana Eksath Peramuna Leader Dinesh   Gunawardena yesterday said MPs are above the law. 

"The Speakers in the past have declared that we are above the law. Parliament can even ignore rulings by the Supreme Court," Gunawardena said addressing the Joint Opposition press conference in Colombo yesterday. 

The declarations by previous rulers, however, only dealt with the supremacy of Parliamentary and did not make any reference to individual MPs. The common acceptance is that MPs are no different to any other individuals before a court of law. 

The MP made this remark when asked about former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s statement on Wimal Weerawansa's hunger strike and the rejection of his bail application. 

"Weerawansa is a Member of Parliamentarian. Not an carpenter or a labourer," Rajapaksa said. 

Gunawardena justified the former President's remarks, alluding that MPs should be given special treatment before law enforcement bodies.

He said the Joint Opposition also discussed the matter with the President and the Prime Minister.