COLOMBO — Independent Jaffna District lawmaker Archchuna Ramanathan wore a black armband in Parliament on Wednesday in protest over the deadly violence at Negombo Prison, joining members of the opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya in demanding that the government accept responsibility for the deaths.
Opposition lawmakers, including Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, entered the parliamentary chamber wearing black armbands during Wednesday's sitting. Several other legislators also attended dressed in black.
SJB lawmakers said the symbolic protest was intended to hold the government accountable for all those who died in the Negombo Prison incident.
Mr. Ramanathan, who sits as an independent member representing Jaffna District, also wore a black armband during the session.
Members of the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) and lawmakers from other parties did not participate in the protest by wearing black armbands.
