PARLIAMENT

Eelam threat still lurking

Irangika Range Sandasen Marasinghe and Disna Mudalige

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa presided when parliament met at 1.00 p.m. yesterday. After the presentation of papers and oral questions, the House took up the motion moved by Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne to extend the Emergency regulations by another one month

Prime Minister D M Jayaratne stated in Parliament that still there are moves in the local and international levels to establish an Eelam which was the prime objective of the LTTE.

Moving the motion to extend the Emergency Regulations by another one month, the Prime Minister stated that the arrest of 490 Sri Lankan Tamil asylum seekers in Canada while sailing illegally in the ‘Sun Sea’ ship provides enough evidence to that effect.

The Prime Minister said 36 of the 490 including the captain of the ship, Kamalraj Kandasamy alias Captain Vinod, 23 others in the crew and 12 others are detained for investigations.

He said the Air Force found parts of a light aircraft used by the LTTE at Kareimullivaikkal.

In addition to partially burnt parts of an aircraft, the Forces found a large haul of weapons at the same place.

The Security Forces are still recovering explosives and weapons hidden by the LTTE in the North in large quantities on the information provided by LTTE suspects who are still under arrest. These investigations have to be conducted systematically. Therefore it is necessary to extend Emergency Regulations to assist the Security Forces to conduct their activities.

The Prime Minister said although the LTTE was militarily defeated in the country, its international operators are active.

The Security Forces have found explosives and weapons belonged to the LTTE, hidden in Yalpoint, Vishwamadu, and Navatkulam in massive quantities recently.

The Prime Minister further stated the wish of the Government is to create an environment in the country in which another war would not occur.

He said Sri Lanka is honoured by the entire world as a country that eradicated terrorism. Although most of the people have forgotten the brutal situation that existed in the country during the period when LTTE was in existence. The people in the North and the East can breathe peacefully today.

He said we have to make this victory a true one to allow the future generation to enjoy its fruits.

The Prime Minister requested the members of the House to support the Government irrespective of party, colour or other differences to safeguard freedom won in order to ensure for future generations across the country all rights.

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe: We discuss on emergency regulations on the content of 18th Amendment. I agree with the Prime Minister on what he said and accordingly without pursuing the party, colour we decided to stand against the Amendment.

Even in the USA, the presidency can only be held twice. This prevents one person taking an autonomy over the country.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is going to remove the democracy made in the country by JR Jayewardene. The prevention of one being elected to the post of Presidency more than twice was seen as an injustice. But even in the USA the situation is the same.

AHM Azwar (UPFA):

I raise a point of order. According to standing orders, members in this House should speak on the subject. The Opposition Leader is presenting the speech due to be presented the next day.

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe: The Attorney General was not aware of the content of the Amendment. Therefore, he cannot decide whether a referendum is needed or not.

The 17th Amendment was a very important issue. It could obtain the support of majority parties. With the 18th Amendment, the 17th Amendment becomes inactive.

Through this Amendment, the path for autocratic rule is cleared. Parliament becomes powerless. In this context, what is the use of approving the emergency?

What is the use of this Amendment? Is it a people-friendly move? This is not a Constitutional Amendment initiated for the country, but only for one person. Former President JR Jayewardene did not think personal achievements when presenting the Constitution. President Mahinda Rajapaksa was elected to abolish the Executive Presidency. Therefore, we stress that a referendum should be held in this regard.

AHM Azwar (UPFA):

I raise a point of order. According to standing orders, the conduct of the President cannot be criticized.

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe: I am saying that does this amendment strengthen the Executive Presidency? It can be President Rajapaksa or anyone else.

Today, we do not support this and until the debate ends we will refrain from attending the sittings.

Deputy Education Minister TB Ekanayake: (Interruption from the Opposition) Today, the UNP is witnessing a strong collapse.

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa: I adjourned the Parliament for 10 minutes.

The Parliament resumes:

AHM Azwar (UPFA): I raise a point of order. We saw a commotion before the adjournment of Parliament. We saw Mangala Samaraweera MP was taking photos and videos. This is not allowed.

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa: I will inquire about it.

Education Deputy Minister TB Ekanayake: The conduct of the UNP members in this House cannot be praised.

President Rajapaksa was invited to solve problems in Constitutions even in other countries. This shows the capacity of the President.

The President is inquiring about the development work in every district. He does not hesitate to visit each of them. He does not take decisions only being in the room. He visits each district.

Today, we experience a revival in the tourism industry. When we compare our statistics on health, transport, and other areas with other countries, it is evident that our country stands in a very good position. It is improving day-by-day.

The irrigation in the country is being renovated. About 16 agreements are signed to improve Kalpitiya area as a tourist destination. There is a rapid increase of the number of tourist arrivals. We have achieved commendable economic growth. We have been able to secure support from foreign countries to develop the economy. Today, we get more loans from other countries than we expected.

Today, UNP members wore in black, accepting the fact that their party is facing a situation of a funeral.

Deputy Chairman of Committees Murugesu Chandrakumar takes the Chair.

A Vinayagamoorthy (TNA): As members of the TNA, we oppose the emergency. This violates people’s independence.

Even when the emergency was imposed several persons in Batticaloa were abducted.

People flee the country, they cannot live peacefully here.

Still Tamils are detained as prisoners. If they are not LTTEers why cannot they be released?

Abdul Cader (UNP): The country is moving towards success now. It is carried on a correct path by the Government. That is why I decided to support the Government. The UNP has been divided. UNPers are fighting with themselves. Our responsibility is to reduce the difficulties of the people. Certain parties blamed the President without reasons. They are unable to tolerate the progress and success of the Government.

Sanath Jayasuriya (UPFA): I take this opportunity to thank the people of Matara for their support to brought me to the first place in Matara. I committed myself to serve them in my maximum capacity. Now the war has been over and the people are living in freely.

We must concern in developing the country. Though the war is over, the forces found hauls of weapons. That is why the Emergency Regulations need to be extended.

The Government will never use the Emergency Regulations to suppress the people. It will be used for the betterment of the people.

Sarath Fonseka (DNA): There is no justice in the country. We could see many injustices taken place in the country. The people are abducted and murdered. Media institutions were attacked. Government officials were tied to trees. Today, the Government is afraid to use the normal law in the country. That is why they use and extend Emergency law.

It uses regulations to suppress the people. We see that innocent people were put into jail.

DNA MPs Vijitha Herath, and Ajith Kumara were attacked by the police when they went to lodge a complaint.

These are shameful activities. No one can continue these type of activities for long. They will be taught a good lesson by the nature.

Sarana Gunawardana (UPFA): The Emergency Regulations are extended since the Government has a responsibility of protecting the people and prevent them from hazards. Today the opposition is bankrupt.

They failed in solving their problems. Today we can see huge development in the country. Underworld and anti-social activities have been eradicated.

The liquor consumption has been reduced. Sarath Fonseka has no right to blame the Government. Everybody knows how he suppressed his family and his servants when he was in the Army.

Saravanabavan (TNA): There are a large number of people who lost their loved ones as a result of the war.

I ask the government what you can do to redress their grievances. Tamil prisoners are in a grave condition and suffering in prisons. We express our dissatisfaction for the 18th Amendment. The President is not fulfilling the promises given by him by presenting the 18th Amendment.

Ports and Aviation Deputy Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena: We do not address Members in this house by the names of animals, as Sarath Fonseka claims. He has not been able to provide his son-in-law before the court. It is this person who speaks about law today. It is clear that Sarath Fonseka used his position in the wrong manner.

Today, the people respect Wasantha Karannagoda and Roshan Goonethilake for their dedication. Sarath Fonseka claims that the country has gone to the dog. This is totally misleading.

The UNP cannot protect its party members. Tomorrow, we will show clearly that even the Opposition Leader cannot stop their members joining the Government. I challenge the Opposition Leader that he cannot gather 25 members at one place to stand against the Government. The UNP is now deserted. Tomorrow is a very noble day. Our duty tomorrow is to give support for the urgent needs of the country.

Suresh Premachandran (TNA): At least one house is not distributed for the people rehabilitated in the North and East. They are in transit camps. They are not allowed to go outside. Conditions of the transit camps are not good.

There is a scarcity of food and water. Sufficient health facilities are not there.

I request at least considering the rainy season coming, to give them facilities and freedom to go to their own lands. The infrastructure is very poor in these areas. There are thousands of unemployed graduates in the North and East. Favourations of the Ministers are needed to secure employment.

Mervyn Silva (UPFA): We cannot go before Courts for punishments we give for crazy dogs. Like that, nobody will be offended for punishing the people who behave like crazy dogs. There are rooms in the Parliament which are deserved for various people. But nobody can use them indecently.

Sunil Handunnetti (DNA): Nobody can label various names for a person. Now Mervyn Silva MP first labelled Fonseka MP as a dog and now as a ‘kalavedda’. This is a violation of standing orders.

Ven Ellawala Medhananda (JHU):

If there were wars and conflicts lasted long in a country, the moral values and other valuable aspects of culture are deteriorated.

It is clearly seen in history of any country. Even after the war there would be instances of negative behaviours of the members of that society. Today in Sri Lanka we are facing such a period. We see such incidents here and there. In such a situation, the authorities have to improve laws to bring back the society on the proper track.

Therefore, emergency regulations should be imposed and they should be enacted properly.

I went to Vanni for my research work and met the resettled people. When I went to see a paddy field villagers said they were living happily. He said LTTE leader Prabakaran misled them and devastated their lives. President Mahinda Rajapaksa was a leader given to them by the God. We found these Tamil people were dealing with the Army and Sinhala community cordially.

The Emergency Law was passed without a division.

The Parliament was adjourned until today.

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[Parliament adjourned over protest]

Irangika Range, Sandasen Marasinghe and Disna Mudalige

The Parliament was adjourned for ten minutes yesterday, due to a noisy protest by the UNP MPs. This protest was held to oppose the 18th Amendment to the Constitution to be presented to the House today. Following the protest, UNP MPs walked out the well without attending to the debate. UNP MPs were also clad in black attair for the protest.