Attack on SL envoy arouses tempers

MP Dinesh Gunawardena, a Parliamentary Group leader of the Joint Opposition (JO) who made a hue and cry in the well of the House over the attack on the Sri Lanka High Commissioner to Malaysia, Ibrahim Sahib Ansar at the Kuala Lumpur Airport on September 4, demanded to know the action taken by the Government on this brutal act which would be detrimental to the good relations between the two countries. He called upon the Government to take serious note of how LTTE activists staged protests, displaying LTTE flags, and made threats to prevent former President Mahinda Rajapaksa from attending the ICAPP Conference.

MP Gunawardena told the House that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, UNP Parliamentarians Daya Gamage, Anoma Gamage and he, had been invited to attend the ICAPP conference in Kuala Lumpur. It was most unfortunate that the Sri Lanka High Commissioner to Malaysia suffered injuries due to LTTE activists assaulting him at the Kuala Lumpur Airport. It is an insult on the Sri Lankan Government, he said. He also queried as to why the Government is silent on LTTE activists assaulting a Sri Lankan Bhikkhu in a temple in Malaysia. MP Gunawardena, a member of the delegation that attended the ICAPP, told the House, the incidens engineered by LTTE activists in Kuala Lumpur had created a serious situation. The MP attempted to put the blame on the Government for not considering the security of the former President.

Chief Opposition Whip Anura Kumara Dissanayake who endorsed the point raised by MP Gunawardena said, the attack on the Sri Lankan envoy seemed like an attack on the country and as such Parliament should condemn it. Dissanayake said, every country is bound to ensure protection for diplomats and added that the Malaysian Government had failed to fulfil this obligation. He stressed the need to condemn the extremists and defeat them through diplomatic means. Opposition Leader R Sampanthan, condemning the dastardly act, demanded stern action against those responsible. When the country is on the path of reconciliation, such incidents should not be allowed, as it would harm the process of reconciliation, he said.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told the House that the Government vehemently condemned the attack on the Sri Lankan envoy at the Kuala Lumpur Airport and has called for a detailed report from the Malaysian Government. The Premier in his detailed answer said, the Sri Lankan Government had made a formal request to the Malaysian Government to enforce the law against those responsible for the assault. It is the duty of the Foreign Ministry to provide the required facilities for MPs, former Presidents and former Prime Ministers when they travel abroad, he said. Responding to a query raised by MP Gunawardena on the security of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Premier told the House that the Government has provided the necessary facilities for the former President, including vehicles. He said, the Government always provides adequate security for former Presidents, Mahinda Rajapaksa and Chandrika Kumaratunga when they travel abroad. The Premier told the House, former President Rajapaksa gave priority to attending the ICAPP rather than participating in the SLFP convention in Kurunegala. His remark caused amusement among the Government legislators. The Premier queried in lighter vein as to why they were laughing? The Government would certainly protect Mahinda Rajapaksa as the country needs him. He should continue in politics and we have no problem about it, he said.

However, an uproar broke out in the House when the Leader of the House and Higher Education Minister Lakshman Kiriella questioned the shouting JO members, on what action the former Government took when Sri Lankan diplomat Chris Nonis was assaulted in the U.S. MP Gunawardena who objected to the Minister's remarks said, he raised an important question seeking response from the Prime Minister. He said, the incident in which Sajin Vass and Chris Nonis were involved at a dinner cannot be compared to the incident in question.

The Government lawmakers objected to a request by MP Dinesh Gunawardena to make a statement on the Inland Revenue Department trade union action. They maintained the view that the Standing Orders provided for making a statement of a personal nature and the matter the MP raised was not something covered by it. MP Gunawardena urged the Government to intervene to end the strike by the Labour Department staff as it would affect the country's nearly 4.5 million workforce. Minister Lakshman Kiriella told the House, he would keep the Labour Minister informed of the JO's demand and added that anybody can resort to trade union action under Good Governance. This led JO MPs to voice their opposition to the Minister.

Instead of resorting to heated arguments, both, Government and Opposition lawmakers on Thursday aired their views on the subject of arts and literature following an Adjournment Motion moved by Chief Opposition Whip Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Moving the Adjournment Motion, MP Dissanayake explained in detail the problems in the country's art and literature spheres. Both, Government and Opposition members endorsed the facts highlighted by the MP and made a series of suggestions to ameliorate art and literature along with the livelihood of those involved.

Meanwhile, a heated argument ensued on Friday between Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister Faizer Musthapha and UNP Parliamentarian Chaminda Wijesiri over an alleged financial misappropriation by Uva Provincial Council Chief Minister Chamara Sampath Dassanayake. MP Wijesiri asked the Minister whether he was aware that the Provincial Council funds had been spent for a private Foundation operating under the name of the Uva Province Chief Minister.

Minister Musthapha replied there was no information of a private account operated under the name of the Chief Minister and added, it would be better if he discussed it with the Chief Minister.

MP Wijesiri accused the Chief Minister of depositing Rs 3.5 million obtained from State Banks in the "Chamara Sampath Dassanayake Foundation" instead of transferring it to the Provincial Council fund. The Minister told the House, the MP is repeatedly asking questions on the Uva Province Chief Minister and it could be a deliberate attempt to insult him.

MP Wijesiri who objected to the Minister's response told the House, he was raising the question to help nab the crooks holding office under the pretext of 'Good Governance'. The Minister said, he had no intention of protecting anyone.

The Prime Minister intervening at this point said, MPs have the right to ask questions in Parliament, but added that it is not appropriate to make allegations against a Minister without proper evidence.