UNP says speaker is under pressure not to probe corruption in the Govt.

The government is influencing the speaker not to appoint parliamentary committees to probe allegations into corruption when buying MiG fighter jets from Ukraine.

United National Party (UNP) lawmaker Dayasiri Jayasekara said the WJM Lokubandara is "forced" not to take any action despite repeated requests by opposition parties.

Muslim businessmen 'flee'

"He is under threat that if he appoints a committee, he will most probably be removed from his position," the UNP MP said.

Despite repeated requests for an adjournment debate on the alleged corruption in proposed sale of Telecom shares to a Malaysian company, the speaker has failed to add the subject into next week's agenda.

Remember, many Muslim businessmen have already left Sri Lanka due to these threats. Many of them have gone to South India or Malaysia UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekara

Addressing journalists in Colombo, the UNP expressed concern over the security situation in the country, abductions of businessmen in particular.

Many Tamil and Muslim entrepreneurs were released after paying huge ransoms to the abductors, according to the parliamentarian.

"Remember, many Muslim businessmen have already left Sri Lanka due to these threats. Many of them have gone to South India or Malaysia".

The MP warned that it will not take long time for the Sinhala population.

"This will soon happen to Sinhala businessmen," Dayasiri Jayasekara said.