Jaffna District Member of Parliament Archuna Ramanathan used proceedings in Sri Lanka’s parliament on Tuesday to issue violent threats against Tamil Nadu nationalist leader Seeman, declaring that he would have shot him had he been able to bring weapons into India and bombed him if Seeman had visited Jaffna.
Jaffna District Independent MP Archuna Ramanathan made the remarks on 19 May whilst speaking during a parliamentary debate on the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill.
Referring to comments previously made about him by the Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) leader, Archuna stated in Tamil:
“Seeman has spoken about me using indecent words. Brother, it is a good thing you are in India. I cannot bring weapons when I come to India. If I could bring weapons, you dog, I would have shot you.”
He then repeated the threat, adding:
“"I would shoot you if you come to Jaffna."
The remarks were delivered on the floor of parliament under parliamentary privilege and bore no connection to the legislation under discussion at the time.
The comments come amid an escalating public dispute between Archuna and Seeman following the MP’s recent visit to Tamil Nadu, where he appeared in multiple media interviews and reportedly met ministers associated with the newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government.
During several of those appearances, Archuna repeatedly criticised Seeman and the Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK).
Seeman responded to the criticism during an NTK-organised Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day event on 18 May, where thousands across Tamil Nadu commemorated those killed during the Mullivaikkal genocide. The NTK leader appeared to brush aside the remarks with humour during his speech.
Archuna’s comments in parliament have since drawn condemnation on social media, with critics questioning how an elected legislator could openly issue threats of shooting and bombing against a political figure from a neighbouring country whilst speaking in Sri Lanka’s legislature.
The incident has also renewed scrutiny over the use of parliamentary privilege in Sri Lanka, where lawmakers are often shielded from legal consequences for statements made during parliamentary proceedings.
The controversy follows earlier legal issues involving Archuna Ramanathan. The MP was previously arrested and remanded in connection with allegations of intimidation linked to a land dispute in Jaffna.
Archuna has frequently courted controversy since entering parliament, with several of his public remarks and political interventions drawing criticism from both Tamil and Sinhala political circles.