Week in parliament

Let's defeat plans to revive separatism - PM

Despite the significant victory achieved by the nation against terrorism, recent attempts made by pro-LTTE Tamil diaspora and LTTE friendly international organisations to rebuild the concept of Eelam were highlighted during Thursday's Emergency debate in Parliament.

Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne explained how the LTTE's international network has launched operations with the intention of re-creating the concept of Eelam in the minds of the Tamil community. He stressed the importance of properly understanding these attempts by pro-LTTE elements and LTTE friendly international organizations to exert pressure on the international community to pose a threat to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country.

He pointed out how some foreign diplomats have conducted open discussions with the LTTE friendly extremist leaders of the Global Tamil Forum and the British Tamil Forum.

In a hard-hitting speech, he urged the Opposition not to internationalise domestic issues and discuss such issues with the Government to find home grown solutions. He extended an open invitation to all political parties to join hands to sort out our domestic issues. The strong message given by the Prime Minister's was that we should sort out our domestic issues without exposing them to the international community.

He briefed the House on the Government's discussions with the TNA aimed at providing lasting solutions to the grievances of the Tamil community. These remarks were a clear indication on the Government's genuine desire to provide a lasting solution to the national question. This was also an open invitation to all political parties that the Government is always committed to discuss with them and provide solutions to their problems.

In the wake of the Opposition's demand to lift the Emergency regulations, the Prime Minister informed the House that the regulations do not have an adverse impact on the people. He noted that the emergency is essential at this juncture to prevent attempts by the pro-LTTE elements to create incidents similar to those in the past. He also highlighted the responsibility entrusted upon the Government to ensure the national security and brief the international community on the true situation in the country.

UNP MP Lakshman Kiriella who responded to the Premier said if the law is properly implemented in Sri Lanka, they don't need to take up any issue internationally. Kiriella in his speech highlighted that the Opposition has to take up some domestic issues internationally as the law is not being properly implemented in Sri Lanka. The MP citing an example said if somebody speaks about the violation of human rights, he is branded as a traitor by the Government.

Prime Minister Jayaratne who interrupted the MP's speech accused him of making attempts to betray the country and the nation. MP Kiriella said the Government does not answer the questions raised by the international community. UPFA National List MP A.H.M. Azwer who interrupted his speech requested the Speaker to send MP Kiriella to the Norwegian Parliament as he always speaks about the international community. ower and Energy Minister Champika Ranawaka's speech centred on various internal and external forces operating against Sri Lanka. He pointed out that some States have not yet given up their idea of toppling this Government.

Minister Ranawaka who explained the seriousness of this situation told the House if President Mahinda Rajapaksa did not defeat terrorism in 2009, a situation similar to Libya would have been created in Sri Lanka as well. The Minister described the present stance taken by some foreign countries as a move taken against not only Libya and it should be considered as an open threat made against all nations. He stressed the importance of making it known to the Western forces that we would stand up more and more against their attempts to suppress our country.

MP Dayasiri Jayasekera who joined the Emergency debate told the House that this is a Government which sends captains to jail. If Sri Lanka won the World Cup finals, the cricket captain would have also been sent to jail. MP Azwer who was in the Chair at that time told the MP the Government will never resort to such action against cricketers. MP Jayasekera said though the Emergency exists in the country, it has become difficult even to sell fish at Peliyagoda fish market as thugs of some politicians attack fish vendors and extort money from them. UPFA MP Janaka Wakkumbura who responded to the remarks made by MP Jayasekera on Sri Lanka cricket team stressed that the UNP was scared that if the Sri Lanka cricket team won the World Cup finals that honour and credit would also go to the Government. The MP said the Government always extends its highest honour to anybody who bring fame and reputation to the country. The MP's comment was endorsed when the Parliament extended its congratulations to Sri Lanka cricket captain Kumar Sangakkara and the team members.

The UNP's leadership crisis was once again discussed at the House when Prime Minister expressed his best wishes for the elected UNP leaders to continue their future activities. The Premier told the House in lighter vein that finally the elephant struggle has been settled.

Another attempt by UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake to move two Private Members Motions proposing that holding of Cabinet portfolios by the President and the Prime Minister was not appropriate and permission should be granted to journalists to attend all meetings held under Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE), Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and Consultative Committees, were rejected in Parliament. Though the MP moved two motions with the intention of exerting some pressure on the Government the two motions were rejected as the Government opposed them.

Leader of the House Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva who spoke on the first motion moved by the MP reminded him how the late President J.R. Jayewardene and his close associates introduced the Executive Presidency and the 1978 Constitution. Now the UNP says the Executive Presidency is not suitable to the country. The Minister requested the MP not to move this kind of double standard motions in Parliament. According to the Minister, no UNP Presidential candidate has pledged to abolish the Executive Presidency or amend the Constitution. Minister Siripala informed the House that President Mahinda Rajapaksa by defeating three decades old terrorism has given the maximum possible benefit which can be given to the country by the Executive Presidency. The Minister said President Jayewardene introduced the Executive Presidency not with an honest intention but to be in power for ever.

MP Karunanayake who responded to the Minister said though the UNP introduced this Executive Presidency in 1977, it always maintains the view that some of its unfavourable sections should be removed. The MP explaining his party's stand on the Executive Presidency informed the House that if a UNP Government comes to power, it will abolish the Executive Presidency. UPFA MP Azwer pointed out that even the Indian Prime Minister also holds portfolios while all former Prime Ministers of Sri Lanka have also held ministerial portfolios.