Biggest challenge to defeat LTTE internationally - Prime Minister

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa presided yesterday when Parliament met at 1 pm after the presentation of papers and oral questions. Prime Minister D M Jayaratne presented the Appropriation Bill for 2011 before Parliament

Irangika RANGE , Sandasen MARASINGHE and Disna MUDALIGE

Ven Athuraliye Rathana Thera taking use of leave to introduce a private members’ bill moved the bill titled the Bill to provide for the protection of animals from cruelty; to foster kindness, compassion and responsible behaviour towards animals in the community to establish a National Animal Welfare Authority to provide for animal welfare generally and for matters connected therewith or incidental there to. Thereafter Prime Minister D M Jayaratne moved the motion to extend the State of Emergency Regulations by another one month.

Prime Minister D M Jayaratne:

Although we have ended the LTTE terrorism still we have to extend the Emergency Regulations by another one month as the Government has to work to prevent coming up of another terrorist organization.

The Government has released 4,485 rehabilitated LTTEers to the society since August 2009.

The Government has taken measures to provide them vocational training and employment. The LTTE’s dream was to establish Eelam and operate in the local and international level. The Government has to be vigilant on the LTTEers who went abroad those days and coming back now and about those who come to Colombo as LTTEers and attempt to go back to North.

Intelligence services have found out that there is an attempt to reorganize the LTTE by those members abroad with the support of those absconding in Sri Lanka. It is obvious with certain SMS messages circulating in the Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu areas. Certain websites also praise LTTEers who were killed.

Two leading persons are attempting to reorganize the LTTE again in the international sphere one is Nediyawan in Norway and the other is Vishwanadan Rudrakumaran in America.

The Government is planning to take measures against them with the Interpol. The biggest challenge before us is to defeat the LTTE organization completely from the international level.

The Forces found two suicide kits hidden in the Thrikonamadu area in the Eastern Province with other weapons recently.

It is revealed that it was hidden to be used to kill a VIP. Under these grounds, the State of Emergency Regulations should be extended and I hope the members would vote in favour.

Joseph Michael Perera (UNP):

Today, the Prime Minister’s speech is brief. He said the LTTE is still active.

We would like to know whether India is forcing Sri Lanka to go for a power dividing system.

External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris has discussed with India over this issue.

We would like to know whether there is any conspiracy going on to activate terrorism again.

Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne: There is an issue of SMSs circulated in the North. Even the Tamil Diaspora in the globe is also making various plans.

As we have identified about 10,000 are still there. They are given various training.

Joseph Michael Perera (UNP): We would also like to know what actions are taken regarding KP.

What happened to the petrol sheds, ships and money belonged to KP. The Government has not mentioned anything related to this issue to Parliament.

Today, there are criticisms directed at the UNP that the Opposition Leader asked to forgive Sarath Fonseka MP. He never requested pardon on behalf of Fonseka. Anybody can check the Hanzard.

A.H.M. Azwer (UPFA): The honorable member is misguiding Parliament. The Opposition Leader clearly asked to forgive Sarath Fonseka in his speech.

Joseph Michael Perera: The Prime Minister said the diaspora is still active and armed terrorists are still remaining in the country.

Does not this discourage tourists?

Salinda Dissanayake (UPFA): I would like to draw your attention to an article published in the Ravaya newspaper.

A.H.M. Azwer takes the chair.

The writer of this article appreciates a statement made by the US. The American foreign policy towards many countries such as Afghanistan and Iraq shows US hyprocracy. These countries are side mirrors of US over powering rule in the world.

They tried to kill Castro several times. They also tried to remove S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike from power.

They want to create Governments favourable to them. It is in this context we need the emergency regulations. We need to protect our Mahinda Rajapaksa rule from foreign conspiracies.

There are few in the country who could not tolerate the defeat of terrorism. They are trying to make a commotion in the county with the support of foreign powers. This should be defeated.

There are fraudulent journalists who gain Dollars and Euros for appearing on behalf of enemies of the country. This should be understood and we have to defeat them.

R. Yogarajan (UNP):

It is a tragedy that we spend a large amount of money on defense even after the conclusion of the war. It is one and half years since the conclusion of war. But still people seek their relatives and family members. A large number of people are still missing. Some are still in custody.

Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa: The Opposition Members tried to interpret this emergency law as a thing continued to suppress the opposition or to curb democracy.

It is only if the opposition is strong that it needs to be suppressed. Today, neither emergency nor civil law is needed for this task because the opposition is weak. It has many internal problems.

It is true that we have a strong Government. But this power is only used for positive developments in the country.

The opposition lacks any slogan to shout today. It is this Government, that used the emergency regulations for its correct purpose. The vestige of terrorism should be destroyed.

The President was not afraid of international threats. The power is used only for its due purpose. It was the former Government that abused the emergency law.

While fighting with terrorism the rights of the political parties were ensured. TNA MPs directed fatal threats during the war at Parliament. Even their rights were secured by the Government. Various foreign and international actors are still trying to pressure us. There are individuals who encourage them. Therefore we must be prepared to face them.

We have to represent the country within the international community. But the country should not be betrayed. For the stability of the country and to maintain national security the emergency regulations should be continued.

P Rajathurei (UPFA): The Government has to provide wheat flour at a concessionary rate to estate employees in the upcountry as it is their staple food.

Sunil Handunnetti (DNA): What is the need of the Emergency Regulations for the country today? The war is over and terrorism is over.The Government needs Emergency Regulations to suppress democracy in the country.

Vasudeva Nanayakkara (UPFA): We have to object the Emergency Regulations. But the Government cannot govern with ordinary law due to various reasons.

I am not going to say that the JVP is going for a riot again. But may be they have an idea to do it again as the previous two riots failed.

That’s why they are seeking for a possibility of taking the support of military forces. That is why they have such a faithfulness to Fonseka.

Irrigation and Water Resources Management Deputy Minister S M Chandrasena: We know the Government is extending the State of Emergency Regulations with pleasure. But we extend it as the country needs it.

We have to recall the country earlier imposed not only Emergency Regulations but the curfew as well. But today we don’t have such a situation. I went to the World Children’s Day celebration in Kilinochchi.

It is happy to note that Tamil and Sinhala children celebrated it together without any problem peacefully and happily. But earlier we could not at least reach that area.

Those days, we could not assure a farmer in Anuradhapura or in Polonnaruwa would return home from the paddy fields or chena. Our President has set world records by doing many things which several Presidents could not do.

The President could eliminate LTTE terrorism from Sri Lanka. He could initiate mega development projects like Moragahakanda and Hambantota port that could not be done during 40 years.

A H M Azwer (UPFA): I wish best of luck on behalf of the House to Galayaya Gamini Wijewardena who is at the moment talking continuously for 35 hours at the SLBC Ananda Samarakoon Studio to establish a Guiness Record.

Harin Fernando (UNP): The Government said it has a 2/3 majority. So if the Government is powerful, why it suppresses the people by covering to the Emergency Regulations. Fonseka who gave leadership to win the war has been imprisoned. This shows the violation and suppression of the Emergency Regulations.

The Emergency Law is used to suppress the media and university students.

Today you are talking about new Sri Lanka, while harassing the people.

Duminda Silva (UPFA): The Government has not controlled any peaceful demonstration. Weapons are still recovered from some parts of the country.

There should be an extension of the Emergency Regulations to curb the terrorist activities.

The Government has understood the shortcomings and problems of shanty dwellers. We will solve their housing problems. When the President is trying to develop the country after finishing the war, some parties are trying to pulling the leg.

S Sridaran (TNA): The Opposition and the Government should join hands to find solutions for the Tamil’s problem. We know that the President is keen on restoring peace and developing the country.

Discussions held to find a solution ended in failure. Though the people are resettled, proper electricity, water and sanitary facilities have not been provided for all.

Resettlement Minister Vinayagamoorthi Muralitharan: There is a peaceful environment in the North and East. When the people were killed during the war, by the LTTE, the TNA never raised their voices against them.

We will solve housing problems of the people, permanent houses will be constructed for them under the Indian assistance. The Government is committed to provide a stable solution for the problems of Tamils. We did not resettle any one by forcibly. The Military Forces support in their maximum for the demining process in the North and East.

Ajith Perera (UNP): The Government is using the Emergency Regulations to suppress any political party which is against them. It brought 18 Amendment and approved it in Parliament illegally.

Neranjan Wickramasinghe (UPFA): The Government rejects the Opposition’s allegation of the Government. We will never destroy democracy and harass the people by covering the Emergency Regulation.

Many Development measures have started. Therefore we request the Opposition not only to criticise but also to support us in our effort.

It is said in this House that undergraduates did a peaceful protest. But anyone who watched it on the TV could have seen their aggressiveness and violence. Can we say peaceful to it?

Even though terrorism is eradicated, still there are hidden remainings. Therefore we have to be cautious abut them.

Athuraliye Ratana Thera (JHU): We look at Emergency as an intermediate period after the conclusion of the war. We vote for the Emergency Regulations with this in mind. In an intermediary period like this we also look forward to an economic development. At this critical time, we are also in need of a literary and classical revival.

We do not say that Sri Lanka is only for Sinhalese. But we strongly oppose for separating provinces for specific ethnicities such as the North for Tamils and the East for the Muslims.

We are for a united Sri Lanka. Sinhalese in the North were driven away.

They were seeking temporary shelters in places like Anuradhapura. Who oppose for a Sinhala College in the North? Do we object for a Tamil school in Colombo? So who are the racists?

The people should not be deprived of their right to live in the place they prefer.

What we need to do is not to divide this land due to racial differences. The people should be provided an environment that they could live with self respect in whatever place they want. The Tamil community should be accumulated into the development process.

Agriculture Deputy Minister Jagath Pushpakumara: The President is inquiring development activities in Jaffna, Mulaithivu, Killinochchi and Vavuniya today.

A State leader has personally been visiting these places to inspect the development progress for the first time in the history.

All eight districts in the North are undergoing a massive development.

We are prepared to cultivate paddy, when land mines are cleared.

The leadership in the country has taken a decision to supply fertilizer for Rs 350. These are brought for a higher price by the Government.

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa takes the Chair.

S Vino (TNA): Starting the Emergency Law debate, the Prime Minister said the Emergency Regulations should be continued since the international terrorist web sites and hidden activities are going on. These allegations are false.

We are not invited for meetings in the North. We will not disturb the activities by participating in these meetings.

We have promised the President that we will give our support for the development of the North. It is to point out the urgent needs and to support the development activities in the area. Therefore it is not fair that we are not invited in them.

The motion to extend the Emergency Regulations was passed. The Civil Aviation Bill was presented to the Committee Stage of the House and was passed with amendments.

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Measures consistent with Constitution

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa yesterday said the measures taken by the Parliament acting Secretary General in connection with the parliamentary seat of Sarath Fonseka was consistent with the constitution.

He made these observations in Parliament in response to a question raised by UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake.

The Speaker said there was no room to discuss the matter of Fonseka’s seat in Parliament as a plaint is filed with the same matter before the Appeal Court.

Chamal Rajapaksa also stated that measures will be taken in respect of Fonseka’s seat in accordance with the Court order.

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Civil Aviation Bill passed

The Civil Aviation Bill was passed with a majority of 95 votes at Parliament yesterday.

One hundred members voted in favour of the Bill, while five voted against.

UNP, DNA and TNA voted against the Bill. The Bill was taken up before Parliament for debate on October 6 and was put off for another date for Amendments.

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State of Emergency passed

The State of Emergency was extended for another one month period with a majority of 99 votes in Parliament yesterday. One hundred and eighteen members voted in favour of the motion moved by Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne and 19 members voted against. UNP, DNA, TNA voted against while UNP MP Ranjith Maddumabandara abstained from voting.

TNA MP R. Sampathan asked for a division.

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Prison guard vacanciesPrison guard vacancies

About 306 vacancies for the post of prison guard exist and once the approval of the Management Services Department was granted, these vacancies would be filled, Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Minister DEW Gunasekera told Parliament yesterday.

He said a competitive examination would be held to recruit candidates for the vacancies. He said the previous Government had recruit 1,266 prison guards. He was responding to a question raised by UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekara.

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Terminal services agreements to upgrade Colombo harbourIrangika Range

Ports and Aviation Deputy Minister Rohitha Abeygunewardene told Parliament yesterday that the Government will sign terminal servcies agreements with six new shipping companies to increase the income of the Colombo harbour. He said steps were taken to consolidate the position of the Colombo harbour as a Maritime center by providing value additions such as Bonded Warehousing facilities and Multi Country Consolidation (MCC) facilities.

Deputy Minister Abeygunawardene responding to an oral question raised by UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake said the Colombo Harbour was at number 14 position when compaired with the ports in other countries as per the containerization International Year Book – 2009 during the time of Ports Minister Lalith Athulathmudali, but it has come down to the 31 position as a result of terrorism and security issues in the recent past. Now that terrorism has been eliminated, situation has improved for business. Now we are eangaged in upgrading the Colombo Harbour to convert it as the best harbour in Asia.

He said several steps including introduction of NAVIS SPARCS, and internationally recognized container terminal operations Management system, replacement of old Gantry Cranes and Transfer Cranes procured in 1985 by procuring new Gantry Cranes and Transfer Cranes to improve the performance productivity and expansion of yard space by demolishing old buildings adjacent to Jaya container Terminal have been taken to enhance the capacity and productivity.