WEEK IN PARLIAMENT

Demonstrations, floods take centre stage

On Tuesday, both the Government and the Opposition Members exchanged intense verbal blows during the Emergency debate regarding the alleged assault on the UNP's demonstration at Borella junction which was held on Independence Day.

The arguments exchanged between the Government and the Opposition were centred on two factors: a Bodhi Pooja organised by a Government politician at Borella and a demonstration conducted by the UNP in the same area.

The UNP during the Emergency debate attempted to accuse supporters of some Government politicians for the attack. Ministers who took part in the debate categorically denied these claims and criticised the UNP's attempt to stage a demonstration on Independence Day, giving a wrong impression to the international community. Government Members described the UNP's demonstration as the first demonstration held in the history of Sri Lanka on an Independence Day.

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe who commenced the Emergency Debate on behalf of the Opposition queried if everything has been turned into normal, what was the requirement for the emergency. He claimed that UNP MPs who staged a peaceful demonstration in Borella on February 4 were attacked. Wickremesinghe accused the Government for using the Emergency to suppress the Opposition.

There was an uproar when UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekera accused UPFA MP Thilanga Sumathipala as being allegedly behind the attack. MP Sumathipala who categorically denied the MP's allegation informed the House that the UNP had not even informed the Police of this demonstration.

The MP maintained the view the intention of the UNP was to resort to an unnecessary clash with those who had engaged in a religious activity. The MP in a hard hitting speech queried as to who would conduct a demonstration on Independence Day. Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage who joined the debate requested to conduct an impartial inquiry into this alleged assault. The Minister noted that the UNP led Opposition had conducted nearly 17 demonstrations for Sarath Fonseka. Has any of those demonstrations been attacked or disturbed by the Government?, he asked.

"A Government which has acted in such a responsible manner has no intention of attacking a demonstration by around 200 people." According to Minister this was not a demonstration organised by the UNP. It was a demonstration organised by UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekera to promote MP Sajith Premadasa. Verbal blows further developed when UNP MP Dr. Harsha de Silva said that he and his son who also participated in this demonstration had to run to the nearest house to save their lives.

Construction and Engineering Services Minister Wimal Weerawansa who responded to the MP queried as to which ignorant father would bring his children to demonstrations.

This is the first time that a demonstration was conducted at night. Minister Weerawansa accused the UNP of using their own people to attack their vehicles. He also described this alleged attack as a very strange one because it only damaged the vehicles, not the participants.

Minister Weerawansa said in a lighter vein that all the directors, actors, stunt actors and villains in this whole drama were from the UNP. What is the purpose of attacking this kind of Opposition ? "The UNP after attacking themselves levels baseless allegations against the Government."

He told the UNP that they should settle their internal disputes without pointing their fingers at the Government. Ports and Aviation Deputy Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardene pointed out the UNP through this demonstration attempted to sabotage a religious ceremony of Buddhists.

The UNP crisis has turned into a never ending crisis. He accused the UNP of attempting to gain undue pleasure even from the torrential rains in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa.

The Deputy Minister told the House that the UNP which cannot prepare even the list of their candidates say they would form the Government in the village. The UNP will set up a world record on March 17 by getting defeated at the Local Government polls for the 19th consecutive time. The Deputy Minister told the House in a lighter manner that even if the JVP rings its old bell, its middle part is with the Government.

The floods also turned into a key topic. Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena informed the House a Presidential Task Force has been set up to rebuild the areas devastated by floods. The Minister assured the House that no scarcity of foods or further escalation of the cost of living will occur due to this situation. Minister Sirisena asked the UNP about the measures taken by them to provide relief to these flood affected people. The Minister told the House people have not forgotten how the UNP celebrate 2001 General Election victory.

They arrested nearly 11,000 Opposition supporters and killed nearly 65 people within two weeks. When nearly 2.5 million people have been displaced, the UNP speaks about demonstrations.

The Minister citing an example on how the Government has ensured democracy asked Opposition whether a single stone was thrown at a house of a UNP supporter when President Mahinda Rajapaksa came to power in 2005.

When one third of the country's people have been displaced, is it justifiable for the Opposition to request the people to organise plots against the Government?, he asked. They should also visit these flood affected areas. The Minister told the Opposition they should properly understand the responsibility of an Opposition when the country has faced a disaster.

Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne who joined the Emergency debate informed the House that the government has commenced initial discussions to draft new laws with the intention of providing a political solution to the people in the North and the East. However, the Premier stressed the importance of defending Sri Lanka from the international forces, LTTE diaspora and some extremist groups which operate against Sri Lanka.

Higher Education Minister S.B. Dissanayake who joined the debate on the Regulations under the Imports and Exports (control) Act made a clear analysis on the progress achieved by the Government. Minister Dissanayake made the point the broad vision contained in "Mahinda Chinthana Idiri Dekma" has enabled Sri Lanka to successfully face the impact of world economic trends.

When attempts were made by former UNP Government under its "Regaining Sri Lanka" program to reduce the total number of 900,000 public servants to 450,000, the present Government has increased it to 1.4 million.

Even when the war was going against terrorists, the Government could double the per capita income. At present poverty has been reduced to seven percent. Minister Dissanayake told the Opposition that they should not panic if the prices of rice and coconut increase. The country will get rid of this economic crisis very soon as the Government has a broad vision and a leader who goes beyond that vision.

Chief Opposition Whip John Amaratunga who responded to the Minister's claim pointed out that the people in villages have to undergo severe hardships. Amaratunga said during the conflict the Government asked the people to tighten their belts. He questioned as to what kind of relief has been given to the people by the Government even two years after ending the conflict.