The ruling National People’s Power (NPP) stated that it will not take disciplinary action against Parliamentarian and former Speaker of the Parliament Ashoka Ranwala over a recent traffic accident until the Police conclude their investigation and announce a formal verdict.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, NPP General Secretary and Government MP Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe said the Party cannot base its decisions on public speculation surrounding the incident. “The general public questions the incident based upon what they think of the incident individually. The Police are the authority that should be given the decision,” Dr. Abeysinghe said. “We know nothing above or beyond what the Police have declared so far. Hence, we have not discussed beyond that. If a legal situation arises, we will be taking a decision upon that as a Party.” He indicated the Party would await the Police's findings on the traffic incident before making any Party-level decision.

Ranwala was involved in an accident in Sapugaskanda last week. Police Media Spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent of Police and attorney F.U. Wootler, in a subsequent media briefing, confirmed that four people including Ranwala and a six-months-old baby were injured and treated.

Amid public allegations the alcohol test was not administered to Ranwala, the Police have yet to announce a final determination on whether he was under the influence of alcohol at the time.