Weliveriya :

Govt pinpoints undue political mileage

The recent unfortunate incident in Weliveriya turned into a hot topic on the floor of the House following a special statement by Opposition Leader ,Ranil Wickremesinghe on Tuesday which raised several questions pertaining to the incident. The Government which expressed its serious concern over the Weliveriya incident informed Parliament that it is clear that some individuals were trying to capitalise on the issue and gain undue political mileage.

However, the Leader of the House and Irrigation and Water Management Minister, Nimal Siripala de Silva thanked the Opposition Leader for raising the matter as the Government could explain to the country the background which led to the tense situation in Weliveriya. The Minister who responded to Opposition Leader's statement explained the priority given by the Government to bring about a long-standing solution to the drinking water problem in Weliveriya. He said the Government has already provided a temporary solution. The Minister also informed the House on the decision taken by the Government to pay compensation and relief to family members of those killed in the incident and to those who were undergoing treatment.

Minister de Silva informed the House about the Government's decision to conduct a full scale investigation to ascertain whether any external forces were behind this incident. The Minister pointed out there were reports that 112 persons had been dismissed from the Hayleys Factory in Rathupaswala months prior to the incident. He raised doubts as to whether these disgruntled elements had been made use of by some external forces to achieve narrow political gain. The Minister in his reply attempted to explain the ground situation which paved the way to the tense situation in Weliveriya. He maintained the view that even after demonstrators have been dispersed, there were some other groups who remained at the site and had hurled stones and petrol bombs at the security forces. He said there were reports that some agitators had fired at the Security Forces. The mob had damaged public and state property.

The Minister maintained the position that the Security forces had to take action to bring the situation under control and protect public lives and property. However, the Minister categorically rejected the allegation by the Opposition Leader that the Security Forces had fired at those who had sought refuge in a church. He noted that the police had done its maximum, right from the beginning to the end of the agitation discharging their duties in a prudent manner. Magisterial inquiries have commenced over those who lost their lives and succumbed to injuries in this incident. He informed the House the investigations will also probe on allegations whether media personnel or civilians were unfairly dealt with. The security establishments would decide the next course of action based on the outcome of these magisterial inquiries.

The main query raised by the Opposition Leader was as to why the Government didn't seek a solution to this problem by having discussions with relevant parties before it was permitted to spin out of control. He was also critical over the deployment of the Army to control the situation without using the services of the Police. He also queried as to why the Security Forces opened fire at protesters when there were a number of other methods to control a public demonstration such as the deployment of riot control squads, water cannons, tear gas attacks and the use of rubber bullets. Wickremesinghe was of the view that none of these alternatives have been followed. He queried whether there was any proof to prove that the clash was instigated by other groups. He demanded a swift and transparent investigation acceptable to the whole country. The Opposition Leader in conclusion said, "Although the lives of innocent schoolchildren and youth cannot be valued in terms of money, the Government should expeditiously pay satisfactory compensation to those who have been killed and injured in to this clash."

Opposition members who were not satisfied with the reply given by Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva later demanded that the Government should conduct a special debate on this issue on the following day by amending the earlier program for the week. However, Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody who was in the chair informed the House that it cannot be decided right now, but however he said he would draw the attention of the Speaker.

A party leaders meeting presided over by the Deputy Speaker had decided a full day's debate would be conducted over the issue at the next sitting. Investment Promotion Minister, Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena who spoke during the debate said it is important to discuss this incident in Parliament. It is very important to find out who instigated to create that tense situation in Weliveriya. Those who cannot retain their MPs within the party have resorted to make use of even this kind of unfortunate incident to gain political mileage. But it should not be allowed to use Parliament as a forum to provoke the people.

Two weeks after the resignation of UNP MP, Dayasiri Jayasekara from his parliamentary seat, the Opposition Leader responded to the special statement made by the former UNP MP. He told the House that politics is an unhurried journey that should be moved with prudence and patience, but Dayasiri Jayasekera had failed to realise the truth of this statement. Quoting from the Vietnamese Buddhist monk, Thích Nhat Hanh, the Opposition Leader said that we all have only a little time on earth and we should move slowly. Dayasiri had failed to realise this. The Opposition Leader in his speech rejected the claims made by former the UNP MP in Parliament on July 24 before his resignation from his seat to contest the Wayamba Provincial Council Elections under the UPFA ticket.

The Opposition Leader was of the view that the motive behind Dayasiri's resignation was not to set a new trend in politics, but to contest the forthcoming PC polls. Citing examples the Opposition Leader said prior to Dayasiri, parliamentarians Gamini Jayawickrema Perera, Percey Samaraweera, M.S. Amarasiri, W.P.P.N. Dasanayake, S.B. Navinna and Ashoka Wadigamangawa too had resigned from their parliamentary seats to contest the Provincial Council polls.

Sittings were suspended on Thursday for half an hour owing to a point of order raised by UPFA MP, A.H.M. Azwer with regard to a motion brought in by the TNA on land issues in the North and East. Azwer made the point that the matter could not be debated in the House as it was sub judice. When TNA Parliamentary Group Leader R. Sampanthan attempted to move the Motion, Azwer said there were seven cases pending before the Supreme Court and three writ petitions have been filed before the Court of Appeal with regard to the matter which is being raised by Sampanthan. In all these cases, the Lands Minister has been named as the main respondent and the Motion could not be debated here as it is sub judice. However, the Opposition members demanded a debate on the issue. Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva was of the view that if permission was given to Sampanthan at the Party Leaders' meeting to move this motion, that does not debar an MP questioning the content of the motion in the Chamber. Chief Government Whip and Water Supply and Drainage Minister, Dinesh Gunawardena informed the House it is up to the Chair to give a ruling as this is a matter of sub judice.

The Sittings were suspended for five minutes to give a ruling. But the House resumed sittings after half an hour. When the House resumed sittings, Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody said the issue had been discussed at the Party Leaders' meeting and Sampanthan had agreed to leave out matters pertaining to lands in the Valigamam area. The Deputy Speaker permitted to move the Motion based on that condition.