Responding to the arrest of Tamil National People's Front leader, Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, leader of the UK Liberal Democrats has written to the British Foreign Secretary requesting an update on their understanding of the situation and what communication the Foreign Secretary has had with his Sri Lankan counterpart.
His letter further notes:
"Given the late father was assassinated while a MP, the gravity of the situation could not be clearer".
Davey’s later follows the arrest of Ponnambalam which occurred earlier today. Ponnammbalam was scheduled due to table a special motion in Parliament regarding the assault and threats to life issued towards him by Maruthankerny police last week. The police department has since named him as an 'accused person' in the incident where he was assaulted, and a loaded gun drawn on him by police officers in plain clothes. The arrest was without a warrant.
Since Ponnambalam’s arrest, a number of British MPs have written to express their concern and call for his immediate release. Ponnambalam has since been released on bail.
Read the full letter here.
Read more here: Tamil MPs 'are not safe' - British politicians condemn arrest of TNPF's leader
