Opposition Leader’s controversial statement in
Parliament:
‘Country betrayed to pander to int’l forces’
by Our Political Correspondent
Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe is better known for his
opportunist politics, betraying his Motherland and even party
supporters. When almost the entire party membership at the grass roots
level rejected his leadership at the UNP, he hung on to the top seat
through his controversial Working Committee, comprising mainly of those
nominated by him.
At a time Wickremesinghe is experiencing a torrid time, trying to
remain as the UNP leader, he made a controversial statement in
Parliament last week to appease the West and to show the UNP Reformists
Group that he is doing enough against the Government as the Opposition
Leader.
Even during the Security Forces’ relentless battle against terrorism,
Wickremesinghe went globe-trotting, conspiring against his own country,
its people and the Security Forces.
That provided ammunition to the West to exert pressure on the
Government, thereby attempting to slow down the Security Forces’ battle
against terror.
When the Security Forces liberated Thoppigala from the Tigers after a
tense battle, he said it was of no use as it was only thick jungle.
Wickremesinghe accomplished another betrayal last week by making a
controversial statement on the eve of the United Nations Human Rights
Commission (UNHRC) Sessions to discredit Sri Lanka. Could any patriotic
and loyal leader ever dream of making such low statements to discredit
his own country at a time certain international elements are looking for
ammunition to tarnish Sri Lanka’s image in the eyes of the world
community? Many political, religious and social leaders condemned
outright Wickremasinghe’s statement and categorised it as a move to gain
political mileage ahead of the UNHRC Sessions.
Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera
Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera said, the recommendations submitted by
the LLRC report are definitely a step forward in solving the long drawn
out problem of the country. However, we have to admit the fact that
there are also some shortcomings and lapses. Ranil Wickremesinghe as the
Opposition Leader explained his party’s stand on the LLRC report and
called upon the Government to implement its recommendations. perhaps, he
is more fluent in English than his mother tongue and hence he spoke in
English.
Ven. Athuraliye Ratana Thera
Ven. Athuraliye Ratana Thera said, Opposition Leader Ranil
Wickremesinghe is under an illusion that he could return to power soon
by pleasing the international forces who work against the Government.
This is why he tactfully spoke in favour of the LLRC report in English
in the House when the American envoy Robert O’ Blake was in the country.
We have our reservations on the LLRC report although we are a
constituent party of the Government and we hope to oppose these when the
issue comes up.
Attorney-at-Law Gomin Dayasiri
Attorney-at-Law Gomin Dayasiri said when the majority of the
international community has commended the LLRC recommendations and
requested their implementation with immediate effect, Opposition Leader
Ranil Wickremesinghe and the TNA vehemently criticise and undermine the
LLRC report with the intention of making Sri Lanka a prey to foreign
intervention. ”When steps have to be taken to prevent any foreign
intervention in Sri Lanka, it is regrettable to note a mature politician
such as Ranil Wickremesinghe attempting to cater to the interests of
foreign forces. It is also very unfortunate that this move by the
Opposition Leader is based on a political agenda when the Government is
acting on behalf of the Tamil community with dedication and in a
justifiable manner.
This can also be described as an attempt by Wickremesinghe to
strengthen the international forces which are acting against Sri Lanka.
False statements like this damage the country’s people. This is an era
when everybody should commit themselves to act on behalf of their
motherland irrespective of political affiliations,” he said.
Minister Wimal Weerawansa
Construction,Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities
Minister Wimal Weerawansa said it has become the normal practice of
Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to make damaging statements of
this nature to cater to the interests of the international forces in the
wake of the UN Human Rights sessions which are scheduled to be held
soon. There is no difference between the statements made by
international forces acting against Sri Lanka and those of the
Opposition Leader.
“The Opposition Leader always tends to do what international forces
want him to do. At present he is fulfilling the wishes of the
international forces who have become disgusted with the prevailing
situation in the country after the eradication of three decades of
terrorism. However, this strategy followed by Wickremesinghe would pave
the way for him to remain as Opposition Leader forever”, he said.
Minister Weerawansa said there is a difference between the stand
maintained by the Government and the Opposition on the devolution of
power.
The Government is always committed to act according to the hopes and
aspirations of the people as the majority of the country’s people have
voted for and elected this Government. The people have continuously
rejected Wickremesinghe at all recently concluded elections. The
Government is not ready to act according to the demands made by the
Opposition Leader, Weerawansa said.
He said a massive operation has been launched in Geneva against Sri
Lanka. “Some Opposition political parties and NGOs are acting as the
mercenaries for this operation. They attempt to highlight even minor
incidents which had taken place in Sri Lanka with the intention of
helping these international forces to realise their agenda. The
Opposition and other elements are using the recent fuel hike to gain
their narrow political objectives,” he said.
Sri Lanka is not the only country where fuel prices were increased.
However, the Opposition and some NGO attempt to use this fuel hike issue
to gain themselves an advantage by even sacrificing the lives of
innocent people.
Their intention is to destabilise the country and disrupt the
peaceful atmosphere prevailing in the country. We saw some placards
displayed by the fishermen at their demonstration demanding reduced fuel
prices and no fuel subsidy. Which fishermen is against a fuel subsidy?
Subsidies should be given to the segments of society who are seriously
affected by the fuel hike. It is very clear that elements who want to
destabilise the country are behind the fishermen’s demonstration.
Even the strike launched by the private bus operators was also based
on a political agenda.
This sudden strike was launched by them after the Government had
pledged a fuel subsidy to private bus operators.
The President of the Private Bus Operators Association once contested
elections under the UNP ticket. Therefore he called for this sudden
strike to support the UNP agenda.
However, the Government and the people have a responsibility to
understand this conspiracy which is based on an international agenda.
First, the Government should properly identify this conspiracy and
educate the people. Then it would not be difficult to face it, Minister
Weerawansa said.
Minister Dullas Alahapperuma
Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister Dullas Alahapperuma
said the statement made by the Opposition Leader in Parliament is an
invitation to make Sri Lanka a prey to Western powers.
The Minister said this is the greatest betrayal by a Sri Lankan based
on a video “produced” by Channel 4 charging that alleged war crimes took
place in Sri Lanka. No Sri Lankan has committed this kind of betrayal in
the history of our country. He queried how people of this nature would
become the future leaders of the country.
Minister Alahapperuma said the Opposition Leader who had vehemently
criticised the LLRC report had commented on the four percent economic
growth achieved during the period of the Ceasefire Agreement under his
Government. “He cannot see the eight percent economic growth achieved by
the country under the present UPFA Government.
“When Western forces have issued a prior statement to paint a
gruesome picture of alleged war crimes, Wickremesinghe’s statement made
in Parliament amounts to making Sri Lanka prey to the sinister designs
of the Western powers”.
Minister Johnston Fernando
Co-operatives and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando said the
Opposition Leader is always committed to work with NGOs and help them
realise their narrow objectives. “His policy is to destabilise the
country which would lead to disarray. That is why the people rejected
him at all recently concluded elections.”
“Wickremesinghe does not love his motherland; he is living here with
a foreign mentality. Therefore, he goes to various foreign countries and
make various treacherous statements against the country. The Opposition
Leader cannot be seen in Sri Lanka on Sinhala New Year, Vesak or Poson
festival days.
“President Mahinda Rajapaksa loves his country and its people. That
is why the people are rallying round his leadership. The intention of
Ranil Wickremesinghe is to remain as the Opposition Leader with the help
of foreign funds gained from various countries. Wickremesinghe and his
NGO groups are ready to carry out any betrayal to gain their narrow
objectives. The people are well aware of the attempts made by
Wickremesinghe to sabotage the military operations launched to defeat
terrorism. Therefore, everybody should vehemently criticise this
treacherous attempt made by the Opposition Leader to betray the country
and tarnish its image to cater to the interests of some international
forces.”
Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage
Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said ending the war against
terrorism was the biggest problem faced by the country. When the
military operations were being carried out, similar damaging statements
were made by the Opposition Leader to cater to the interests of the
Western forces. He never extended his support to end the conflict. The
Minister said Wickremesinghe attempted to work in favour of the LTTE and
always took the side against the country. He never acted to safeguard
his motherland. “At present arrangements are being made by the
Government to implement the LLRC recommendations. However, this cannot
be done to cater to the needs of LTTE diaspora or some Western
countries. There is some accepted methodology to be followed to
implement these recommendations. After the presentation of the LLRC
report, only three months have passed. There will be a very good
response once the LLRC recommendations are implemented,” he said.
Deputy Health Minister Lalith Dissanayake
Deputy Health Minister Lalith Dissanayake said certain sections
attempt to misinterpret the LLRC report. One of the mandates given to
the LLRC was to investigate into alleged war crimes charges that took
place during the final stage of the humanitarian mission. Therefore, the
LLRC was appointed to provide a proper understanding to the
international community on this situation. The LLRC report has also
mentioned the atrocities and other ruthless killings committed by the
LTTE.
The Deputy Minister said when certain areas in the North and the East
were under the control of the LTTE those days, steps were taken by the
Government to provide medicine and other requirements to the people in
those areas. However, such information had not been properly reported to
the international community. The LLRC report carries comprehensive
details about such activities as well as atrocities committed by the
LTTE such as the recruitment of child soldiers and LTTE courts.
“Attempts are being made by the Opposition Leader to take political
mileage from this LLRC report. We request the people not to be misled by
these conspiracies launched by them. If any devolution of power is made
within the country, it will be made entirely to suit the requirements of
the country and not to cater to the interests of some Western
countries,” he said.
Udaya Gammanpila
Minister Western Provincial Council - Udaya Prabath Gammanpila said,
we have mixed feelings and views on the LLRC report as it has been fully
biased towards Tamil extremism.
Ranil Wickremesinghe has been identified
as a puppet of the Western world and he reconfirmed it by making a
statement in Parliament recently with regard to the LLRC
recommendations.
Tissa Seneviratne
Deputy Mayor of the Nuwara Eliya Municipal Council - Tissa
Seneviratne said the recommendations submitted by the LLRC report are no
doubt a positive step to address the grievances of the Northern and
Eastern people of the country.
At the same time it should be stated that
certain vital points have been inadvertently missed out in the report.
Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, as usual, has attempted to
please the international community by urging the Government to implement
the recommendations in toto without properly studying the report. |