Murderer on death row becomes MP

A POLITICIAN on death row for murder has become Sri Lanka’s first convict to be sworn in as an MP.

Premalal Jayasekara, 45, was convicted in August of murdering an opposition activist in 2015.

But the conviction came after poll nominations closed and he was allowed to stand for election.

He was escorted from prison to parliament and, despite the heckles of opposition MPs, took the oath. He was taken back to jail by armed guards after the day’s session. Jayasekara has been an MP for the ruling Podujana Party since 2001.