MPs should have right to take decisions based on conscience - PM

Chaminda PERERA

KATUGAMPOLA: Parliamentarians should have the right and freedom to take decisions on their own for the well-being of the people whom they represent, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake said.

The Prime Minister was speaking at the felicitation of over 100 eminent personalities in the North Western province who have excelled in different fields and brought honour to the province and the country.

This ceremony was organised by the North Western Social Development Foundation on the directive of Media Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa.

The Prime Minister said the democratic process is on the line when people's representatives take decisions in Parliament according to the wishes of their party leader or secretary.

"There prevails no democracy in Parliament but the craziness for power. The Opposition conventionally does not extend their support to the Acts being forwarded by the Government for the country's development.

"The Government and the Opposition should discuss their role in the House and come to terms for the well being of people," he said.

The Parliamentarians need to have freedom to vote for or against on their own conscience in Parliament. The public have utmost power to decide their future if they take wrong decisions. They will be tried and ejected by the people at the next General Election, he added.

"Should the Opposition refuse everything proposed by the Government for the sake of opposing?" he queried.

The Opposition Members should support the development plans forwarded by the Government with bona fide intentions. They should think in terms of people's well-being and support the Government's endeavours for the development of the country.

The Government will reform the present electoral system. A committee has already been appointed to look into this matter, he said.

Sri Lanka has lost thousands of lives which could have been integrated into the country's development process, due to the North and East conflict. All people living in the North and East are not terrorists. Unfortunately, they are under the shackles of terrorists and have no freedom of expression, he said.

"We will create an environment where people of all communities could live together with dignity and self confidence. President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the government are striving to eradicate terrorism which has plagued the country for the past 20 years and establish permanent peace," he added.