Opposition Leader wants all MPs tested for drugs
Controversy over proposed Bureau of Rehabilitation Act:
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has alleged that there are drug addicts in the Parliament. Therefore, all members of Parliament should be screened before the ordinary people are made to undergo drug tests in terms of the proposed Bureau of Rehabilitation Act, he says.
Declaring his opposition to the Bill titled Bureau of Rehabilitation Act, the SJB leader said at a recent public gathering that the new law was meant to suppress anti-government protests. Referring to some provisions of the proposed Bill, lawmaker Premadasa said that first of all members of Parliament should be tested. Assuring he would subject himself first for the required testing, the SJB leader said the proponents of the Bureau of Rehabilitation Act could identify those addicted to medicine and narcotics, including heroin.
The Bill is aimed at establishing a Bureau for the rehabilitation of “drug dependent persons, ex-combatants, members of violent extremist groups and any other group of persons who require treatments and rehabilitation” MP Premadasa said that tests in terms of the proposed Act could reveal the number of MPs addicted to drugs and narcotics in the Parliament. (SF)