UNP says IGP and the Govt. are 'trying to safeguard the murder suspect'

The United National Party (UNP) has accused the police and the government of trying to safeguard the suspect arrested on killing Tamil parliamentarian, T Maheswaran.

The MP was gunned down on the New Year's day in a Hindu Temple in Colombo.

Minister Rambukwella admits suspect worked for state

The gunman, identified by media as Wasanthan Johnson Collin Wasanthan Valentine was shot by Mr. Maheswaran's security guard and was admitted to Colombo hospital.

Suspect 'worked for minister'

However, the suspect was not identified in an identifying parade held with only two witnesses.

	Minister Devananda categorically denies Minister Rambukwella's comments

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Victor Perera, has told media on Saturday that the suspect and the family has had close links with the Tamil Tigers.

However, Defence Affairs spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told BBC Sandeshaya that the suspect who worked for the state has earleir provided security to MP Maheswaran himself and Minister Douglas Devananda.

Minister Devananda has categorically denied any knowledge of the suspect.

'Attempt' to safeguard suspect

The IGP's attempts to pre-empt a judicial investigation should clearly be seen as contempt of court, UNP legislator Dayasiri Jayasekara told journalists in Colombo.

"Even a junior police constable with a clearer mind would not behave like the IGP," he said.

Jayasekara and opposition leader, Ranil Wickramasinghe, questioned the police action to only call two witnesses without even informing the family of the late MP to identify the suspect.

"If a suspect is injured, there is a normal practise that a suspect will be produced for identification only after full recovery," he added.