Ball Geneva's court again

Referring to the claim made by Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as to why the Sri Lanka Action Plan for Protection and Promotion of Human Rights to be presented at the UNHRC Sessions in Geneva was not being tabled in Parliament, Chief Government Whip and Minister Dinesh Gunawardene who responded to the remarks drew the attention of the House, one begins to wonder whether the Opposition Leader has become the proxy of the so called international community which wishes this country to be in the doldrums so as to enable them to interfere in the affairs of the country.

Making a special statement in Parliament on Wednesday, Opposition Leader maintained that the upcoming UNHRC Sessions is crucial for Sri Lanka. Therefore while the Government has the right to present whatever document they want at Geneva, he was of the view that it was necessary to keep the House informed and table such documents in the House. Minister Gunawardene who gave a detailed reply to the Opposition Leader's statement queried as to why he raises all these issues at this critical juncture.

The Minister informed the House that the entire country is aware of the secret agenda implemented by the Opposition Leader to vilify the Government and tarnish the image of Sri Lanka in the eyes of the international community.

However Wickremesinghe made the point that the issues relating to human rights and the commitments under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights were raised and debated regularly in Parliament.

He said the Opposition has pointed out the shortcomings in the National Human Rights Commission and the House has also discussed the Report of the UN Panel of Experts. Therefore the Opposition Leader stressed the point in this background as to why it was necessary that the National Action Plan for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights forwarded to Geneva without being tabled in Parliament. This has prevented a complete discussion or debate at this critical juncture as the Parliament has not been briefed on this National Action Plan.

Minister Gunawardene was of the firm view that what was pledged in Geneva must go back to Geneva. He outlined this is not a part of our legislative process which have been entrusted with, by virtue of the sovereignty of our people. The Minister requested the Opposition Leader that he should follow the example of his counterparts in the neighbouring countries. He pointed out that the opposition leaders in other countries in matters related to the international community or external affairs work, in harmony with the Government of the day and defend the sovereignty of their country.

After Minister Gunawardene concluded his statement, the Opposition Leader who raised a point of order informed the House that he didn't criticise anyone personally in his statement. He said certain references are not accurate. Wickremesinghe noted the Opposition has not asked even an adjournment debate on the LLRC report until the end of UNHRC Session in Geneva. He also said they don't accept any war crime charges. Minister Gunawardene who interrupted informed him that they had boycotted the participation of the Parliamentary Select Committee. Minister said the Government has made an announcement that the LLRC report can be taken up at this select committee. But the UNP did not participate in it. Yet another attempt made by the Opposition Leader in Parliament to paint a completely wrong picture on the recent fuel hike, Petroleum Industries Minister Susil Premajayantha who categorically rejected the claims made by the Opposition Leader informed him that the fuel prices were raised to increase the Government revenue and it was entirely based on the increase of the fuel prices in the world market. However he informed the House if the fuel prices in the international market go down, the Government would definitely pass that benefit to the consumers.

Opposition Leader making a special statement in Parliament alleged the Government had failed to point out any justifiable reason on its arbitrary decision taken to increase the fuel prices. In his statement he attempted to highlight how the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) was turned into a profit-making venture under his regime.

However Minister Premajayantha who gave an extensive reply to the Opposition Leader queried if the CPC was a profit-making venture under Ranil Wickremesinghe's Government, why did the CPC divide CPC into three segments and vest its best 105 filling stations to the Indian Oil Company? Minister in his reply to the Opposition Leader also asked as to why the jetty of Trincomalee harbour along with 99 oil tanks and 600-acre land were given to the Indian Oil Company to US$ 75 million? The Minister wanted to know on what basis the then Treasury Secretary Charitha Ratwatte signed that invalid agreement during the regime of Ranil Wickremesinghe Government to sell this land and oil tanks to the Indian Oil Company? The Minister questioned if the CPC earned profits as claimed by the UNP, what was the motive behind the UNP to turn CPC into the present declining situation through two Cabinet memoranda submitted by the then Minister Karu Jayasuriya? However the Opposition Leader or any other UNP MPs were not seen to counter these queries levelled by the Minister. Minister in his detailed reply also pointed out if the policy of former UNP Government to sell State enterprises, the policy of President Mahinda Rajapaksa's Government was to safeguard the State institutions.

That is why measures were taken to get back the remaining one third of the shares of the CPC into Government which had been planned by the UNP to sell to the Indian Oil Company.Minister in his reply also responded to some references made by Wickremesinghe on the deterioration of democracy, abductions made by white vans and 1988-1989 terror period.

He pointed out how the UNP Government which came to power in 1977 conducted a bogus referendum in 1982 to further extend the period of that Government by another six years. He queried based on what democratic principles 1982 Jaffna Development Councils Elections, 1988 Presidential Election and 1989 General Election were held? Minister told the House those who are below 35 years do not remember 1988-1989 terror period.

He said the Opposition Leader's statement recollect past how the students were disappeared and nearly 60,000 youths were killed during that terror era. Minister queried whether any commissions were appointed or any compensations were made on the killing of prominent lawyers like Wijedasa Liyanarachchi, Charitha Lankapura or Kanchana Abeypala? In his reply to the Wickremesinghe, the Minister drew the attention of the House who introduced the PTA and turned those who had engaged in democratic politics into political prisoners under the PTA?