Week in Parliament

Govt. repeals many Emergency clauses

The Government on Tuesday informed the House on its decision to repeal a series of clauses of the Emergency regulations by giving a clear message to the country and the international community that it had no intention whatsoever in promulgamating the emergency regulations for its existence and added that it has to retain a few clauses of the Emergency regulations to counter the attempts made by the pro-LTTE Tamil diaspora to destabilise the country and bring back LTTE terrorism to Sri Lankan soil.

The Government members during the emergency debate clearly outlined that they would be very happy if the emergency could be lifted even today. Though terrorism has been eradicated from the country, there are some external forces which are trying to destabilise the country and assist the LTTE terrorism to remerge in Sri Lanka. They stressed the importance of being cautious during this post conflict period and taking necessary preventive measures. They claimed the Government has to retain only certain regulations which are necessary to counter these pro-LTTE activities.

For the first time, the Government conducted a two-day emergency debate in Parliament to provide the opportunity to a large number of newly elected young Members of Parliament to make their maiden speeches in Parliament. During their speeches, both the Government and the Opposition newly elected MPs expressed their concern to make collective efforts to take the country forward irrespective of political differences.

However, UNP MP Karu Jayasuriya in his speech pointed out they didn't see any necessity to continue the emergency as terrorism has been eradicated from the country. In 2005, the State of emergency was reintroduced when Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgarmar was assassinated. He said the fundamentals of democracy should be established within the country.

The Government could pass the extension of emergency for a another one month with a majority of 118 votes. As a significant political development, UNP Kandy district MP Abdul Cader also voted in favour of the motion. Only the TNA members and two UNP MPs voted against the motion. DNA members were absent at the time of voting.

The subject of reconciliation turned into a key topic during the emergency debate as Prime Minister D.M.Jayaratne moving the motion to extend the emergency regulations by another one month elaborated the Government's commitment to establish a Reconciliation Commission to rebuild the mutual trust among the communities if there was any breach of trust due to the conflict. The Premier was of the view that the victory gained by the nation should be converted into a meaningful victory. He said defeating the LTTE's international network is the next challenge before us.

External Affairs Minister Prof.G.L.Peiris informed the House that the President has decided to appoint this Reconciliation Commission of which the terms of reference have almost been finalised. Prof.Peiris pointed out the wish of the President is to reach out to all communities to heal the wounds of war. Various other countries in similar post conflict situations have taken steps to set up such commissions. Therefore, the proposed Commission would be most welcome.

Prof.Peiris also said the Government had instructed the Sri Lankan missions in foreign countries to vigorously engage the Leaders in those countries as the LTTE supportive campaign for a provisional transnational Government in exile has turned into a alarming trend. According to the Minister though there is no military threat to Sri Lanka, these groups had transferred their attention to diplomacy now. The pro-LTTE Tamil diaspora has launched a vicious campaign against Sri Lanka in some capitals of the world. He requested the Opposition to cooperate with the Government to combat such activities. The Minister stressed the importance of having a few clauses of the emergency regulation to curb such activities. Therefore the Government cannot go from hundred to zero at this time.

UPFA Hambantota District MP Namal Rajapaksa as the youngest elected MP made his maiden speech in Parliament by giving a new dimension to the Parliamentarians. He said as the country's youths, we should appreciate the decision taken by the Government to relax the emergency laws. However, the emergency regulations should be relaxed systematically as LTTE friendly elements are still operating here and abroad. Time has also come to establish a commission to find out the route course of terrorism. The young neophyte member outlined the present need of the hour is political parties and patriotic people who work for the independence and not the people or political parties who betray the significant victory achieved by the nation.

UPFA National List MP Malini Fonseka in her maiden speech disclosed information about demonstrations launched by some LTTE friendly elements in India to obstruct conduct of the International Indian Film Academy awards ceremony scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka. The veteran actress turned politician in her address also said the intention of this pro-LTTE Tamil diaspora is not only to obstruct this film festival but also to reactivate the LTTE network with the support of the international community.

DNA Leader MP Sarath Fonseka in his maiden speech highlighted the importance to transform the great military victory achieved into a country's victory by providing the opportunity to the people to live under the general law of the country. The laws are needed to ensure the security of the people. The emergency regulations should be implemented in a more responsible manner.

Deputy Youth Affairs Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said Sarath Fonseka cannot be described as a political prisoner. He is in jail as he has been subjected to some alleged utilisation of public funds. Therefore the Army arrested him based on these charges. The Deputy Minister said Fonseka should stop his hatred politics and to be patient like Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe. Sarath Fonseka should extend his support to the President's programs as the only Leader who promoted the name of Sarath Fonseka.

The prevention of Sarath Fonseka from attending Parliamentary sittings on Wednesday caused an uproar in the House. Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe requested the Speaker for a meeting to discuss what step Parliament could take with regard to Courts martial. The Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa also requested the Speaker to take steps to ensure that DNA MP Sarath Fonseka is allowed to attend Parliamentary sittings without any hindrance. The Minister was of the view whatever political views they had on the role of Sarath Fonseka, the rights of MPs must be safeguarded. However a directive by the Speaker said the two courts martial inquiries against former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka would not meet on days when Parliament is in session.

External Affairs Minister Prof.G.L.Peiris elaborating the Government's stance on the GSP Plus issue informed the House a high level delegation would visit Brussels late this month to persuade the European Commission to continue the GSP Plus preferential trade status.

The Opposition on Tuesday made a big fuss on Rs.440,147 million funds allocated by the President from the consolidated fund necessary for the public service and debt servicing for a period of three months. However, the Speaker announced to the House the President allocating funds from the consolidated fund to cover the expenses of Ministries without presenting a budget or Vote-on-account, was constitutional and in accordance with the law.

Responding to an adjournment motion moved by the UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake, Deputy Finance Minister Dr.Sarath Amunugama said there was no question of giving into conditions when the Government negotiated the third tranche of the IMF loan. The Government would not be subjected to any conditions and everything would be discussed and agreed to mutually.

When both the Government and the Opposition have stressed the importance to pave the way for new political culture within the Parliament, UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekera expressed his honour to the Speaker in the manner he handled the proceedings of the House. UNP MP Lakshman Seneviratne also in his speech made during the emergency debate highlighted the time has come to make an attitudinal change within the society and this should be commenced from the Parliament. He said the Opposition will extend its fullest support to the Government at any time to curb the pro-LTTE activities.

The Opposition on Friday expressed their concern over the assault on Daily Mirror journalist Sandun Jayasekera and urged the Government to bring the perpetrators to book as soon as possible. The UPFA National List MP A.H.M. Azwer also condemned in this incident. During the adjournment debate on journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda, Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said he would personally attend to this matter. But the Minister stressed that issues with media personnel should be viewed openly without looking through coloured glasses. Otherwise the severity of matter would be mitigated.

TNA Leader R.Sampanthan speaking during the condolence motion on the death of Minister Richard Pathirana said if the Minister had been alive, he would have made a significant contribution to the proposed Reconciliation Commission to be set up by the Government.