Colombo Parking Incident - MP Archuna arrested

 Parliamentary MP Ramanathan Archchuna surrendered to the Fort Police Station in Colombo today and was subsequently arrested by the police.

The reason for the MP's arrest was that the Fort Magistrate's Court had issued a warrant against him yesterday (23). This warrant was issued by Fort Magistrate Isuru Nettikumara because the MP failed to appear before the court yesterday when a case against him for obstructing a police officer on duty was called.

Regarding the relevant case, the MP, who had previously absconded from our sources, did not appear in open court when the case was taken up for hearing, so the Magistrate had ordered the police to immediately arrest him and produce him before the court.

This case is based on an incident that occurred last September. The MP had an argument with police officers from the traffic division who were on duty regarding parking a vehicle in a no-parking zone in the Colombo Fort area. A video clip showing the MP scolding the police officers, saying 'Idiots... am I parking on your heads?', was also circulated on social media.

Although the police initially allowed the MP to leave by following some written policy at that time, the police later took legal action under the charge of obstructing police officers' duties, based on the relevant video evidence. The MP, who has a history of clashes with the police on several previous occasions, was also seen traveling in the car with a woman at the time of this incident in the video footage.
Video related to the incidentClick here