PSC: Govt, Opposition in top gear

The Government on Thursday commended the stance taken by the UNP to extend its fullest cooperation to reach a consensus at the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to find a solution to the national question. They also thanked Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe for his keen interest shown in his statement made in Parliament on this key matter of national importance.

Leader of the House and Irrigation and Water Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva who responded to the Opposition Leader’s statement fully endorsed his reference that longlasting peace is possible only with a political solution acceptable to all communities. The Minister informed the House this is the steadfast position of the Government and this has been repeated on several occasions. The Minister who elaborated the Government’s position to the House said it firmly believes the PSC as the ideal forum to conduct deliberations on this issue to find out a solution acceptable to all communities.

Opposition Leader in his statement stressed the UNP is of the view that PSC deliberations would be fruitful only if we seek to develop and implement the agreements reached at the bilateral talks as well as the recommendations of the LLRC. He told the House with this in view, the UNP led by him had a productive discussion with President Mahinda Rajapaksa and a group of Ministers. He said they discussed the need to recommence the bilateral talks that are to be interwoven with the PSC. He highlighted the importance of all parties to come together, understand the tragic traumatic period we have gone through and commit ourselves to reconciliation and peace. He said the Government must take the initial step to create an environment to build a national consensus based on unity, strengthening of democracy, power-sharing, equality and respect for the rights of all communities. He drew the attention of the House that all Parliamentarians have a duty to respond and a role to play.

Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva in his response to the Opposition Leader’s statement informed the House even though the office of the Leader of the House has sent the names of Government nominees to the Speaker, the nominees of the Opposition have not been submitted to the Speaker so far. The Minister who commented on the composition of the PSC said it was proposed to appoint 19 members from the Government and 12 members from the Opposition. However, the Minister pointed out the PSC has not been able to empower due to Opposition’s failure to submit their nominees. The Minister noted the Government wish the attempts made by the Opposition Leader to take part UNP and get the participation of other opposition parties into PSC deliberations would turn into a success.

He informed the House once the nominees of the Opposition are submitted, the Government intends to commence the deliberations of the PSC and complete them within six months. He called upon the Opposition Leader to submit the names of their members to the PSC. Minister de Silva was optimistic then the PSC would be able to conclude its deliberations even before six months time frame. The Minister informed the Opposition Leader, the Government has already created the appropriate environment for the opposition parties to take part in the PSC. The Opposition Leader giving a more positive reply to the Minister agreed to nominate the names of the Opposition members to the PSC. Wickremesinghe said the UNP will discuss with other political parties and persuade them to take part in the PSC.

The Opposition Leader who also focused his attention on the Government-TNA talks pointed out in a context where bilateral talks between the Government and the TNA have come to a standstill, stressed the importance of revive these talks forthwith to run parallel to the PSC meetings. He said the breakdown of talks between the representatives of the Government and the representatives of the TNA has been a serious setback in working towards national reconciliation and in forging a Sri Lankan solution.

While agreeing that the Government and the TNA need to focus on the agreed core issues of devolution, the PSC can in the first instance deal with other recommendations of the LLRC report. Wickremesinghe said furthermore, if all talks are to be concluded by the end of the year, it is imperative that sittings commence at least in June this year. Then the six-month time period mentioned in the resolution will end in December this year. The Opposition Leader said for what is required is not a post-mortem of why bilateral talks failed but an immediate recommencement.

Minister de Silva who wound up his speech depicted the Government’s sincere commitment to implement the decisions reached at the PSC and requested all Opposition political parties to nominate their members by soliciting their contribution to commence the deliberation of the PSC to find a solution to the national problem. He said as highlighted by the Opposition Leader, the need of the hour is to set up the PSC as soon as possible without going for various disputes based on historical facts by accusing each other.

The issue of the security of former MP Sarath Fonseka came up in the House following a reply given by Chief Government Whip and Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena in response to a query raised by UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekera.

The Minister said the government was ready to consider providing security to the former MP if a formal request was made to that effect. However, Minister informed MP Jayasekera that it was him and the rest of the Opposition who dragged Fonseka into politics. Minister said at present various factions in the Opposition are demanding the credit for getting Fonseka released.

The Minister Gunawardena told the MP if there is any threat to Fonseka, it will be from your parties and not from outside. The Minister told the House it was the Inspector General of Police who decides on whether a certain person should be provided with VIP security or not.

An oral question raised by UPFA MP A.H.M. Azwer on wild elephants from Minister S.M. Chandrasena led some of the Opposition members also to make various remarks. The MP in his question queried on how to tame elephants. When some of the Opposition members also attempted to respond, MP Azwer asked in a lighter vein is this the task fulfill by the Opposition Leader these days? The MP wanted to clarify the difference between the tame and conservation of elephants.