19 November, 2007 - Published 14:24 GMT

Opposition legislators 'intimidated'

Sri Lanka's opposition parties accused the government of intimidating parliamentarians in the wake of a crucial parliamentary vote.

President Rajapaksa's government on Monday received parliamentary approval for the 2008 budget proposals.

Parliamentary group leader of Tamil National Alliance (TNA), R Sambandhan, accused the government of threatening his party's legislators.

MP's relative 'abducted'

Son-in-law of Batticaloa district MP, T Kanagasabai was abducted on Sunday by an armed group while police officers provided security to his residence, he told the parliament on Monday.

20 TNA legislators voted against the budget proposals but Kanagasabai abstained.

The MP was intimidated not to vote against the government by the abductors, the TNA leader said.

The leader of the United National Party (UNP) and the opposition, Ranil Wickramasinghe, accused the security forces of trying to intimidate his party members.

UNP MP 'intimidated'

The security forces have raided parliamentarian Sagala Rathnayake's residence on Sunday evening, Wickramasinghe said.

The government however denied the accusations.

Chief Government Whip, Jeyaraj Fernandopullai told the parliament that the government was not worried of losing the budget vote as all parties in the government pledged support beforehand.

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) meanwhile accused both parties of trying to bribe legislators.

The parliamentarians are currently called " Rs. 50 million a piece", JVP parliamentary group leader Wimal Weerawansa said.

He warned of severe consequences as a result of diminishing standards of parliamentary democracy in Sri Lanka.