War victory belongs to all - PM

The restriction of Parliament sittings for a single day during the week and adjourning the House until January 5, 2010 led to a hue and cry among the Opposition benches but the Government passed the motion to adjourn the House until January 5, 2010 with an overwhelming majority of 37 votes.

The Opposition asked for a division to the motion presented by the Government to adjourn the sittings until January 5. This motion was passed with a majority of 37 votes.

JVP Parliamentary Group Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake pointed out according to the agenda, Parliament should meet on December 8, 9, 10 and 11. The previous session of Parliament was confined to a single day. The Government is acting in an arbitrary manner by restricting Parliament sittings, he said.

Leader of the House Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said this matter was discussed at the Party Leaders meeting. The Government at that meeting clearly stated that Parliament will only meet on December 8 and will be adjourned until January 5, 2010.

Chief Government Whip Urban Development and Sacred Area Development Minister Dinesh Gunawardene said the Chief Opposition Whip Joseph Michael Perera wants to convene Parliament during Christmas week. But Parliament has never met during any Christmas season, he noted.

The Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was not seen in the chamber on Tuesday. The Chief Government Whip asked the Chief Opposition Whip as to where he was.

Matale District UNP MP Nandimithra Ekanayake crossed over to the Government. Power Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage greeted the newcomer amid the din raised by Opposition MPs. MP Ekanayake said: "I was observing the way the nation been led by the Government under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa towards prosperity and peace after defeating terrorism which was the main obstacle to developing the country. I decided to join the Government and contribute to the development drive of the Government."

The Chief Opposition Whip Joseph Michael Perera making a special statement in Parliament demanded the Government to tell the House what happened to confiscated assets, foreign bank accounts and gold acquired from the LTTE. He asked whether these assets are going to be utilised for the benefit of the country.

Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka responding to the statement said intelligence agencies were assessing the assets left by the LTTE, and once the process is completed, the House would be informed. If we reveal the findings of these investigations now, it will hinder their progress.

Responding to an oral question raised by UNP MP Gamini Jayawickrama Perera, Sports and Public Recreation Minister Gamini Lokuge said special committee has been appointed to probe into the matter of deaths of animals in the Zoological Garden, Dehiwala. Around 200 animals had died in the Zoo during the period from 2006 to 2008. Minister Lokuge said "we will have to treat swans as well".

The motion moved by the Prime Minister to extend the state of Emergency by another one month was passed with a majority of 74 votes. The TNA asked for a decision and voted against it with the UNP. All the constituent parties of the Government including the JHU, NFF and CWC voted in favour while the JVP members were absent.

The Premier commencing the Emergency debate said the victory gained against terrorism belongs to every citizen in this country. "This kind of common consensus is vital for the development of a country. Our mission is not completed yet. The Government is ready to face any challenge and succeed. Therefore I request all people's representatives to join our camp."

UNP MP Lakshman Seneviratne joining the emergency debate said various acts of harassment are reported against political opponents and the Common Candidate even though the Government has expressed confidence about its victory.

Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said even today we respect what General Sarath Fonseka did in the battle front. "If the Navy and Air Force did not assist him, he couldn't win the war. It was the President who gave the political leadership to the war against terrorism without being subject to any international pressure."

The Minister charged that "It was General Fonseka who wanted to procure more weapons after the end of war in May this year and not Defence Secretary as General Fonseka alleges. I have documents here which prove that the former Army Commander wanted to procure more weapons."

JVP MP Vijitha Herath said even though Asantha de Mel is the Chairman of the Selection Committee of the Cricket Board, a match is played by the cricket team led by its captain. Finally the credit of the victory goes to the Captain and the Man of the Match award also goes to a player of the team. Therefore the Government should not attempt to get the trophy for the war victory, he added.

Agriculture Minister Hemakumara Nanayakkara who countered the arguments of MP Vijitha Herath said the JVP which ordered to kill the family members of Armed Forces today attempts to survive with the help of General Fonseka. Since its inception, the JVP had a distorted mentality.

NFF Leader MP Wimal Weerawansa said whatever alliances were formed, the UNP never changed their party symbol. "Today the UNP has realised that they are not in a position to win the election. Therefore a bird has been selected to fulfil the task which the elephant was unable to do. The UNP has selected an outside person to vest the sin of its defeat without putting it into their party Leader. No Leftist party has ever joined hands with the UNP. We were expelled from the JVP as we were against this great betrayal."

UNP MP Dayasiri Dayasekera said some politicians speak about revolutions and drink whisky at night. "Weerawansa who highly criticised the Executive Presidency, today speaks in favour of it. Some politicians who speak here like true patriots put their arms around foreigners when they go abroad."