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Terrified postal officer hides from MP in toilet
By Nalaka Nonis
More than 72 hours after UNF parliamentarian Justin Galappatti allegedly forced a postal officer to remain in a toilet for several hours, police are yet to even record a statement from the MP.

Matara Police Superintendent Dhanapala Nanayakkara said yesterday they could not even talk to the MP as he was too busy but they had questioned postal officer Gamini Paranavithana and an eyewitness.

Mr Paranavithana charged that the MP had stormed into the Matara postal superintendent's office around 10 a.m. last Tuesday and threatened him with death.
"Fearing I would be attacked I rushed to the toilet for safety but I heard the MP shouting outside that he won't let me come out and would break my bones if I did," the officer said.

Mr. Paranavithana said he was fearfully stuck in the toilet for more than two hours while the MP occupied his chair and shouted abuse. He said the angry MP's complaint was that a person recommended by him had not got the job as sub post- master.

Mr. Paranavithana said the harassment and horror did not end there. When he went to the Matara police station to make a complaint against the MP a police officer had said that they could not note down complaints against MPs and if needed, to come with an approval from seniors.

However Parliamentarian Justin Galappatti is telling a different story. Denying the allegations of the postal officer the MP said he had gone there to protest against what he saw as a discrimination against one of his supporters who had applied for a job at the Walgamuwa post office.

Mr. Galappatti said it was the postal officer who had kept him waiting by hiding in the toilet. The MP said he had not threatened or abused the officer. Regarding the alleged police inaction the MP said he was available for questioning.

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