18 January, 2010 - Published 14:48 GMT

Petition to arrest Weerawansa

A petition was filed in the bribery commission seeking the arrest of two ruling party Sri Lankan parliamentarians including a party leader.

Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney at Law, in his petition has urged the Commission to arrest parliamentarians Wimal Weerawansa and Mohamed Muzamil who have admitted accepting a bribe to defect to the opposition camp.

The MPs from National Freedom Front (NFF) have told media on Friday that Mr. Muzamil was offered Rs. 30 million to support main opposition presidential candidate Gen Sarath Fonseka.

Mr. Rajapaksa in his petition has urged the Commission to arrest both MPs and question them as to who offered them the bribe.

Counsel appearing for the petitioner, Ajith Pathirana, told BBC Sandeshaya that neither Mr. Muzamil nor Mr. Weerawansa has lodged a complaint with the Commission.

"What the Commission should first do is to arrest them and seek more information regarding who gave them this money," he said.

Mr. Pathirana said that there are serious concerns whether there will be a proper investigation given the past record of the Bribery Commission.

The chairman of the Commission pledged a swift investigation into the complaint, he added.