A heated debate arose in Parliament after Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekera requested Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena not to allow MP Rishad Bathiudeen to attend Parliament.

Weerasekera made this request on the basis that the MP was being held under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

Several MPs of the opposition accused Weerasekera of violating the Constitution by not allowing Bathiudeen to attend Parliamentary sessions.

Among them were MPs Sarath Fonseka, Dr. Harsha De Silva and Mujiber Rahuman.

They maintained that Weerakera's order to the CIC was a grave violation of the country's constitution and requested the Speaker to intervene in the matter.