The JVP’s Gampaha District MP Anjaan Umma yesterday severed her connections with the party over the still simmering dispute between the Somawansa and Weerawansa factions.

Ms. Umma, who was absent for sometime, yesterday attended the morning session of Parliament and left the Chambers after five minutes. She made her way to the Parliament police to complain that she had received threats.

Ms. Umma told police that she would continue as an independent MP and needed police assistance to get back her two vehicles, bearing the numbers, KG 5041 and KG 1618, which were currently held by the aides assigned to her by the JVP. She said her decision to act independently had resulted in her receiving death threats from party supporters and she sought protection, parliament police said.

The vehicles had been registered under her name and were currently being used by the JVP.

Two JVP MPs Anurudhha Polgampola and Ranaweera Pathirana had obstructed her when she made the complaint, Welikada police said.

OIC Welikada police CI Neville Silva said that her complaint would be investigated and action would be taken to provide protection and if the MP could name the persons who levelled death threats action could be taken in that regard.

JVP propaganda Secretary MP Vijitha Herath said that MP Umma had not attended party activities for some time due to the factional dispute and she had every right to remain independent. "We have no trouble with her decision. This complaint was a planned event.

We know those who are behind it. She should have first informed the party’s Parliamentary Group Leader or the party’s General Secretary about her decision. She can come at any time and take her vehicles back we are not keeping them by force," Herath said.

He said the two vehicles were at the Party Head office in Pelawatte and MP Umma could go there and take them back. "Our MPs leave their vehicles in the custody of the party on an understanding between them and the party, though they had been registered under their names. This is a known fact and we are ready to hand them over to her, he said.

Meanwhile, sources in the National Freedom Front, the party led by JVP dissenter Wimal Weerawansa, said that Umma would sit and vote with them. "Her family members are Somawansa faction supporters and she is unable to immediately declare that she would join us due to security reasons. But, she would definitely support us," a senior NFF member said.