PSC, the ideal forum to reach a consensus

The UNP's intransigent attitude of not taking part in the deliberations of the Parliamentary Select Committee(PSC) turned into a hot topic on the floor of the House due to certain remarks by Government legislators during the debate on Local Authorities Filling of Vacancies (Special Provisions) Bill. The Opposition members who joined in the debate raised a number of queries on the composition of the PSC and explained as to why they did not participate in the PSC.

Some Government members who joined in the debate said that by the UNP's refusal was a clear indication that they are not interested in finding a lasting solution to the issue. They said the PSC is the ideal forum to reach consensus to resolve the matter. The PSC mandated to recommend political and constitutional means to ensure all Sri Lankans live as one nation, held its inaugural sitting at Parliamentary complex Tuesday. In the absence of the Opposition members, the PSC chaired by Leader of the House and Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva commenced sittings with the 19 Government members nominated by the Government. Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said that Opposition had boycotted the PSC deliberations. The Opposition said that they did not participate in the PSC as it is not legal. It is for them to attend the PSC and express their views. However their intransigent stance had betrayed the people who voted for them, Minister Amaraweera said.

UNP Parliamentarian Joseph Michael Perera was critical of the composition of the PSC. He said Parliament has agreed to appoint 31 members to the PSC, but only 19 Government members had been appointed. According to present composition of the PSC, it is illegal to conduct sittings. Even certain constituent parties of the UPFA Government have not been included in the Committee. He queried as why Ministers Rauff Hakeem and Prof. Tissa Vitarana have not been appointed to the PSC. DNA MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that the PSC cannot be accepted as a free and fair forum. The Government through this committee is attempting to suppress the views of opposition political parties. Even the Government members in the PSC don't have a common consensus over the 13th Amendment.

Responding to the Opposition remarks UPFA parliamentarian Shantha Bandara told the House that the Government was not a purely a SLFP Government. It's a broader alliance of several constituent parties. Therefore President Mahinda Rajapaksa has provided the opportunity to all such parties to air their views freely. He said the previous UNP regime exercised firm control over its parliamentarians having obtained their signatures on blank sheets.

The PSC is a forum open to all political parties. The UNP does not participate in the PSC as they are not interested in resolving this issue. UPFA MP A.H.M. Azwer said the UNP is neither here nor there. He asked in lighter vein if the UNP does not attend the PSC, does it mean that they are going to Norway or Germany to discuss this issue. He said the UNP has two faces. They know if this problem is settled, they will be rejected by the people.

During the debate on Local Authorities Filling of Vacancies (Special Provisions) Bill, the Opposition members spoke of various incidents in which the Local Government Heads and their members are involved. UNP MP John Amaratunga who opened the debate on behalf of the Opposition said the manner in which the Local Government members behave is a clear reflection of the severe set-backs in the Local Government sector.

Amaratunga said the conduct of some Local Government members is abhorrent. They had taken power into their hands. DNA MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that some of the Local Government members have abused their authority. He asked the Local Government Minister to look into whether these Local Government Bodies function in keeping with the Local Government Act.

Justice Minister Rauff Hakeem made certain remarks on the delimitation process carried out by the Local Government Ministry. He said though they have made representations before the delimitation committee, they have doubts about their methodology. He sought some clarification on the delimitations. He said that if a mixed system will be introduced to Local Government elections, the representatives of political parties in each division will be elected in a manner fair to all communities. Political parties should also be given an opportunity to make their representations at district level delimitation committees and the national delimitation committee as well, he said.

Local Government and Provincial Councils Minister A.L.M. Athaullah said that the Opposition members used the debate only to sling mud at the Government. Before making allegations against the misconduct of Local Government members, the Opposition should be above board. It is absurd for the JVP which unleashed terror to talk about the misbehaviour of Local Government members.

The Minister asked whether UNP politicians had not resorted to any such wrongdoings during their regime. If a Local Government member or any other politician committed any offence, there are established bodies to take action against them. It is deplorable that the Opposition make use of isolated incidents to sling mud at the Government. The Minister told the House that the delimitation process is still going on and its outcome should be discussed when the process is completed. Instead of devolving power based on ethnicity, The need to devolve power based on province should be explored to ensure that all Sri Lankans live as one nation.

The recent bomb attack at Bodhgaya also came to light due to a statement by Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe who said that Parliament should request the Indian Government through the External Affairs Ministry for a copy of the report on the Bodhgaya bomb attack compiled by the Indian Police.

External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris told the House according to revelations so far on the bomb attack in Bodhgaya, the Indian Government had informed Sri Lanka that this incident has no connection whatsoever with Sri Lanka. The Minister said the Indian Government was taking all steps to ensure the security of pilgrims visiting the birthplace of the Buddha in India.

Prof. Peiris deplored the statement by UNP MP Joseph Michael Perera that there was a Sri Lankan connection to the Bodhgaya bomb attack although the Indian Government said otherwise.

The lack of a quorum restricted the sittings of the House to one and half hours on Friday. When the House adjourned after the questions sessions, the House commenced the debate on the adjournment motion moved by UNP MP Tissa Attanayake on the recent disaster owing to climate change and providing relief to the victims. UNP MP Sajith Premadasa who seconded the motion opened the debate on behalf of the Opposition. While MP Premadasa was on his feet, UPFA MP A.H.M. Azwer raising a point of order drew the attention of the Deputy Chairman of Committees Murugesu Chandrakumar that there was no quorum in the House.

When the quorum bell was rung several opposition members including Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe arrived in the Chamber but none from the Government turned up.

The quorum bell was rung for five minutes but it could not summon 20 MPs to make up the quorum. Thereafter, the presiding Member ordered the abrupt ending of the session around 3.05 pm.