Mr. Herath is a former Cabinet minister in President Kumarathunga government

Gampaha district MP Vijitha Herath told BBC Sandeshaya that he was beaten at the Galle police station on Thursday as he went to the station together with parliamentarians Arjuna Ranathunga and Ajith Kumara.

The Democratic National Alliance (DNA) MPs have tried to lodge a complaint against the police for batton charging and tear gas attack on protesters in Galle calling for the release of DNA leader, Gen Sarath Fonseka.

Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Provincial Councilor Nalin Hewage was also among them.

A police officer dragged me from the neck, pushed me aside and then assaulted me. Then Sub Inspector Dias assaulted me. Then a group of police officers surrounded me and beat my neck, head, chest and face Vijitha Herath, MP

“A police officer dragged me from the neck, pushed me aside and then assaulted me. Then Sub Inspector Dias assaulted me. Then a group of police officers surrounded me and beat my neck, head, chest and face,” Mr. Herath told BBC Sinhala service.

The JVP propaganda secretary has made a special statement regarding the police assault in the parliament.

“This is very inhuman treatment by the police.”

He questioned if a parliamentarian is treated such a way what would happen to the general public at police stations.

'250 police officers'

Accusing two DNA MPs and the councilor of assaulting the police at the station, the police have arrested them and produced before courts.

They were released on bail on Monday.

	Sri Lanka police are accused of many human rights violations

Mr. Herath described the police accusation as a “big joke”.

“When I told them that we would take legal action, the officer in charge ordered us to be lock up. Later they fabricated a story,” he said.

Addressing media during the weekend, JVP parliamentary group leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake questioned as to how three unarmed people assaulted police officers at a station where nearly 250 officers, including officers with arms training, were stationed.

Mr. Fonseka was on Friday found guilty of engaging in politics while in uniform by a military court.

President Rajapaksa later confirmed the military court’s recommendation to cashier the former military chief.