The Samagi Jana Balawegaya, in a statement, criticized the manner in which the government is hounding MP Rishad Bathiudeen while the enire country is battling a pandemic.

The main oppposition party described the police hunt on Bathiudeen as "hilarious" and said that it resembled a comedy.

"The CID even question Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa over an alleged phone call between him and Bathiudeen. It is the Opposition Leader's duty to respond to telephone calls from MPs within his alliance and it does not amount to a violation of any laws," the party said.

Meanwhile, the Police are yet to arrest MP Bathiedeen who has reportedly evaded arrest.

The MP, however, has filed a Writ Application in the Court of Appeal seeking to prevent his arrest over transportation of Muslim IDPs from Puttalam to Mannat ro cast their votes at the last Presidential election.