PARLIAMENT

Tiger cadres being trained in Tamil Nadu?

Parliament corr

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa presided when Parliament met at 1 pm yesterday.

After the presentation of papers and oral questions, the House took up the motion to extend the State of Emergency by another one month which was moved by Prime Minister D M Jayaratne.

Prime Minister D M Jayaratne said Government had completed several rounds of discussions with TNA leaders to find a lasting solution to the problems faced by the Tamil people. The Government also has decided to hold another few rounds of discussions in the near future.

Several foreign Governments who had arrested LTTE activists living in their countries were to take legal measures against them and request the support of the Sri Lanka Government.

It was a positive trend that those countries, specially European countries were playing a major role in it.

The STF had found a haul of weapons on February 20 at Kilinochchi which had been hidden by LTTE. The weapons included 84 rounds of anti aircraft ammunitions. In addition, in a joint search operation, the Army and Police had found another haul of weapons at Kandikudiaru in the Eastern Province on February 26.

Intelligence Unit had received information that Tiger terrorists were being trained in camps at 3 places in Tami Nadu with the objective of assassinating Indian State leaders and to re-establish the LTTE in Sri Lanka.

The Intelligence Units also had learnt that the deciple of Pottuamman named Pagalendra Master was behind it. It is reported in one of those camps that a special training was given to assassinate politicians.

It was also revealed that the attack on the Mahabodhi Centre in Chennai recently was by those members attached to the LTTE.

It was also reported that threats to the lives of several leading Politicians in India have been levelled by those terrorists.

It is learnt that the LTTE was organizing terrorism with the help of three persons. The first person was V Rudrakumaran who was the organizer in USA, the second being Nediyavam in Norway, third being Vinayagam who was the organizer for India.

The objective of these three groups was to commence small-scale terrorist activities in Sri Lanka. We have to remember that the entire nation has to be ready to face this situation.

Under these grounds the Govt requests all members of this House to support this motion of extending the State of Emergency by another one month.

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe (UNP): I would like to raise some matters relating to the privileged question raised by TNA MP Sridharan yesterday. A proper investigation should have been carried out regarding it. There should have been a fixed deadline to complete the investigation, so that we could discuss the outcome of the investigation in this House if we were not satisfied with it.

Eventhough the Prime Minister moved the emergency motion, he brought out no reason to present it.

Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena: The Opposition Leader could have handed over Prabhakaran to the Indian Government as requested. But without proceeding on this path, he had signed an agreement with the LTTE.

Ranil Wickremesinghe continues: What we attempted was to bring Prabhakaran before Court and act against him legally. Why cannot the Government produce KP before a Court of Law today?

If a threat to our country's security exists as mentioned by the Prime Minister, why were the security forces not used to ensure security. Today our army is selling vegetables at junctions. At other places the security forces are engaged in various social work.

Prime Minister D M Jayaratne: The move to get the army to sell and cultivate vegetables was taken considering the global food crisis.

The whole world was experiencing the natural disasters and the damages caused to food crops were very high.

Jayantha Ketagoda (DNA): Eventhough I am enjoying the privileges of this seat, I must recall who the real owner is. Former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka was deprived of his seat and I am pleased to offer the seat back to him once again if the need arises. I respect his ideas and regret his imprisonment.

However, I am happy to raise my voice today in this House on his behalf. Emergency regulations were being used against Sarath Fonseka to convict him. However, certain former LTTEers were not brought before the law according to the emergency regulations.

I am a representative of Fonseka and I request the Speaker to allow me to offer the seat back to him.

Petroleum Industries Minister Susil Premajayantha: I am pleased to make my speech after the Opposition leader. Today, we did not see his usual references to various resources including the Hansard.

I think he made his speech with the aim of speaking on the forthcoming Local Government Elections.

Therefore, the usual meaningfulness of his speech had been lost.

Maintenance of security in the country was essential. The emergency has been useful in this effect. We have relaxed the emergency and the regulations which were essential to carry forward peace and safety of the country are maintained.

The Emergency was used in a drastic manner during the 1988-1989 period. Contradictorily we use the emergency only for the benefit of the people. Who presented the Terrorism Prevention Act? It was the UNP who presented it.

Wickremesinghe signed the peace agreement with a culprit who had been wanted by the Government of India.

The Opposition Leader also stated that the army was being made to sell vegetables. If he had visited Palali during the days of the war, he could have see what our forces had cultivated even during that period. About 35 percent of their vegetable requirement was fulfilled by their own cultivations. The Opposition tarnished the image of our war heroes even during the past.

It is still doing the same act.

The world food production has been affected due to natural disasters. We have to face reality. We have been coping with this challenge successfully.

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody takes the Chair:

Ravi Karunanayake (UNP): We even at previous occasions pointed out that there was no necessity for the state of emergency to carry forward the security and peace of the country. This was the stand we uphold even today.

Terrorism was eradicated from the country and we without any hesitation bestowed its credit to the Government. Eventhough terrorism was routed out, political terrorism was raising its head. TNA MP Sridharan was attacked in Nochchiyagama. We see that this was a premeditated attack.

The polls for several Municipal Councils and Pradesheeya Sabhas had been postponed by using emergency regulations.

We challenge the Government to face the elections without using emergency powers to postpone them. We also condemn the attack on us at the peaceful rally we were engaged on Independence Day. We also stress the need for a fair investigation on this incident.

It was useless to point a finger at others, about their mistakes. We have to learn from past errors and work harmoniously to take the country forward.

Chandrakumar Murugesu (UPFA): We vote for Emergency Regulations to protect peace and security. We too do not like the State of Emergency. But, until violent activities have ceased, the Government was not able to stop imposing the State of Emergency.

The people who are against the State of Emergency were those who condone violence.

Deputy Chairman of Committees Chandrakumar Murugesu takes the Chair.

Jayalath Jayawardena (UNP): When the State of Emergency is considered, Kumaran Padmanathan (KP) does not come under the purview of law, but others are imprisoned under it.

With many police check points throughout the country, Parliamentarian S Sritharan's vehicle was attacked at Nochchiyagama.

Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa: We know that during this debate of the Emergency Regulations, some facts are traditionally submitted. They talk of an attack on a TNA MP. None of the bullets shot at, had hit the body of the vehicle, but only on the tyres. If the culprit wanted to kill the MP, why had he shot at the tyres? This is a part of a scheme to create a false image among the international communities that the Government was assaulting the Opposition members.

The other matter was that they said that MP Sajith's vehicle had been attacked. According to reports, only the windscreen had been broken. Sajith can claim damages from the Insurance Corporation.

These incidents are being created to damage the image of Sri Lanka.

Now Mangala Samaraweera states that the EU wants to hold an international investigation into alleged war crimes. He says so while a Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission was functioning. What does he attempt to say?

Newly sworn-in MP Jayantha Ketagoda made his maiden speech today. Lakshman Nipunarachchi had more votes than Ketagoda had received. Sarath Fonseka did not like a JVPer filling his vacant seat. The JVP is now helpless.

The name of the friendly gunman who shot at the tyres of the TNA MP's vehicle should be revealed.

John Amaratunga (UNP): Many Opposition members in the MP's vehicles were supposed to have been assaulted, but no culprit has been so far arrested.

The IGP and the Election Commissioner have always stated that banners and advertisements could not be displayed these days. But there are a large number of such banners of the ruling party's people displayed. But if the UNP had displayed one such banner they would have had to face problems.

Sriyani Wijewickrama (UPFA) said that as a person who had witnessed the dark era of the country in the past, believed that the emergency should be carried forward.

"As a Government, we must rethink whether the LTTE had been completely eliminated, or it could raise its head once again".

The people in terrorist held areas are now experiencing untold freedom. They have gained this freedom due to the unbeatable leadership of President Rajapaksa.

MP Piyasena, has now expressed his support to the Government. He represents the Tamil community in Ampara. It has been seen that they were willingly supporting the Government due to the people friendly approach taken by it. We treat all in an equal manner without harassing any race or religion.

Mavai Senathirajah (TNA) said the Government had clearly stated that terrorism in this land was over. Under present circumstances, we saw no reason to extend the emergency. Emergency regulations were maintained by spending large sums of money collected as taxes from the people. Similarly, the Government was spending a large sum of money for defence too. We question the necessity of this spending over defense when there is no war.

Our party member Sridharan was attacked recently. This incident should be looked in to. We regret this incident and the Government should prevent such incidents continuing.

Sridharan was an MP who respects democracy. The Speaker has a responsibility to ensure security to every MP. We met the Speaker today and had discussions over it. Moreover the issue of Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen should be handled with care.

Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said it should be clarified whether the emergency regulations had been gradually relaxed with the conclusion of terrorism.

Proving the independence that our people have experienced over 3 million people have visited the Northern Province last year alone.

However, some LTTE supporters in the country and outside the country were trying to give a lifeline to the LTTE. The behaviour of certain media, specially in Tamil Nadu during the clashes between Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen, show that they have hidden agendas.

By scrutinizing the politics of Tamil Nadu it was clear that they have more objectives than the Tamil Nadu election. We see that Rudrakumaran and Nediyavan were behind all these pro LTTE acts.

The country was denied of the GSP plus relief due to baseless and false statements by various groups and individuals. Many thought that the country would undergo a serious decline in economy as a result of this situation. However, the Government was able to win this challenge. Even without the GSP plus relief, our exports to Europe have increased by 3 percent.

The experience of North Africa was more applicable to the Opposition. It was in the opposition that outdated policies and leadership continue. People have been unable to change these by democratic means. The President had conducted a number of peaceful and fair elections in the country. In North Africa, people have been deprived of their right to be informed. Here we do not have such restrictions.

A H M Azwer takes the chair.

Vijitha Herath (DNA) said Sarath Fonseka was arrested while K P was not. The members of the Government also ridicule his Parliamentary seat.

Today the Cricket World Cup is being played. It was Arjuna Ranatunga and his team that brought the World Cup to our country. In appreciation of this victory, the players were awarded 10 perches of land. However, today attempts are being made to take over this land back to the State which was given to Arjuna.

Neranjan Wickramasinghe (UPFA) said the Opposition always claimed that the emergency is being used by the Government to suppress the Opposition. But this is not true. The emergency has many positive faces too.

When considering the situation in North Africa, anybody can clearly see that there was no similarity between Sri Lanka and North Africa. The conditions of the two countries were contradictory.

We also regret the attack on MP Sridharan and condemn it. I must note that many emergency regulations have been relaxed by now. Only certain regulations were selectively maintained by the Government.

A Vinayagamoorthy (TNA) said our party member Sridharan had been attacked. He had immediately contacted MP Sumanthiran who had been in touch with the IGP.

The amendments brought to the emergency regulations have not given any relief to anybody.

The Government had to take measures to reduce the cost of living.

Estate Resources and Enterprises Development Deputy Minister Sarath Kumara Gunaratne said Sajith Premadasa spoke of democracy. People were afraid even today when his father's name is mentioned. I had to leave the country and keep away for four years because of his father.

Today development is seen in villages. The Eastern Province and Northern Province was developing. Now the former LTTE members are changing. The European countries were compelling the Tamil diaspora to change. The Opposition is talking of KP. They feel very sorry for him as he had changed. He had confessed to his past deeds and is now with us today. By now two of former LTTE leaders are a Minister and a Chief Minister.

According to Christianity, Jesus Christ pardoned many sinners. We know how Angulimala changed. It was clearly stated in Buddhist literature. The Opposition are unable to tolerate such things.

E Saranapavam (TNA) said that it was clearly stated the TNA was vulnerable where security matters were considered. The TNA was unarmed. The LTTE was no more. The Forces could carry arms, but not other groups.

Upeksha Swarnamali (UPFA) said that she took this opportunity to thank all those who supported her and also visited her in the hospital. Even the President and the First Lady as well for their concern and help.

She also said that she took this opportunity to raise her voice on behalf of the women who were subjected to domestic violence. Today the ratio of females who enter universities compared to males were very high. She said that the contribution of women to the economy of the country, was significantly high.

J R P Sooriyapperuma (UPFA) said the Opposition was instantly changing their topics with the idea of creating a picture of violence in Sri Lanka. It was a play acted for the benefit of foreigners who visit Sri Lanka.

Nobody should even think of terrorism rising again.

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody takes the Chair.

P H Piyasena (UPFA) said the State of Emergency was not used against the good people. It was not misused. The State of Emergency was used to maintain peace and security in the country. There were several Tamil politicians who mislead innocent Tamil people.

The TNA states that this was a Sinhala Government. The TNA should be ashamed of it. The TNA was a curse to the Tamil people. Kilinochchi should not be devastated once again. The TNA was benefitting by their activities. The Emergency situation should be more strengthened. Today the TNA were talking without providing any relief to the people.

The upcountry has been developed by Minister Thondaman. What have you given to those people you represent?

Harsha de Silva (UNP): The time has come to stop extending the State of Emergency. So far those thugs who assault us on Independence Day were still not arrested. So what was the use of State of Emergency?

We have now launched an operation to win the economic war. For this purpose economic freedom should be strengthened.

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa said: MP Harsha de Silva spoke out of the topic. It is for the first time in the history of Sri Lanka, that a land was bought by a foreign company by paying the amount in full. Shangrila and Catic Investment was a massive investment.

There were several five star hotels in the country. The Hilton Hotel was taken over by the Government last week. Now the full ownership of the Hilton hotel was with the Government.

I must note that the land sold was sold at an amount that exceeded the Government assessment.

It was for the first time that these companies have agreed to spend their own money for the construction of a hotel on this land. This does not mean that the management of these hotels would be by these two companies.

Up to now, what we have experienced during the UNP regime was selling land below the Government assessment.

However, our policy was to ensure that the real value of these lands were paid to the Government. Both these companies have paid in full the value of the land. None of the other companies have paid the full amount even for a 10 perch land.

Measures have been take to invest in the Beire Lake in this manner. The land would be divided into 3 sections for this purpose. It would be a massive investment.

Human Resources Senior Minister D E W Gunasekere: I think MP Harsha de Silva got his due return for speaking out of the topic today. I think he should behave well in the House by taking examples from his elders.

When we were considering the emergency regulations, I would like to point out that 40 regulations in emergence were removed. Today we were just namely extending the emergency. Many of the regulations have been relaxed.

When there was no slogan against the Government, various baseless criticisms were directed. Even the cost of living is decreasing now. Food prices have gone down considerably, within the last few weeks. When the supply increases the prices go down naturally.

MP Harsha de Silva knows this reality more than any of us.

The House adjourned until 1.00 pm on March 22.

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Govt acquires Hilton Hotel

Parliament corrs

The Government has fully acquired the Hilton Hotel in Colombo last week, Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa said in Parliament yesterday. He revealed this while participating in the Emergency debate.

The Hilton Hotel now belongs to the Government and not to the Hilton Company anymore, he said.

The Minister said that the government took over the Hilton Hotel since the agreement had lapsed last week, due to nonpayment of instalments. The owners of Hilton Hotel had only paid two months lease to the government since its inception, he said.

He said the policy of the government was to get the maximum price for land in Sri Lanka from foreign investors.

He also observed that the lands or the Twin Towers and Havelock City were given without charging a cent. The policy of the UNP was to give land far below its market value, he charged.

Minister Rajapaksa said that under the previous regime Sri Lanka had to go behind foreign investors on their knees, but now the situation had changed and the foreign investors were coming behind the government on their knees.

The foreign investors are attracted by factors such as peace, environment, skilled labour and political stability in this country.

These positive factors had attracted foreign investors such as Shangri La and CATIC (China National Aero Technology Import and Export Corporation), he said.

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Emergency passed

The motion moved by Prime Minister D M Jayaratne to extend the State of Emergency by another one month, was passed with a majority of 75 votes in Parliament yesterday.

Ninety members voted in favour of the motion while 15 members voted against.

UNP, DNA and TNA voted against. TNA MP Mavai Senathiraja asked for a division.

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Govt concerned over security of all MPs

The security provided the Parliamentarians was being systematically reduced, said Chief Government Whip and Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena in Parliament yesterday.

This reduction of security was envisaged since threats against Parliamentarians were lower after the eradication of the LTTE.

Responding to a question raised by UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake, the Minister said that the number of security personnel provided to MPs and Provincial Council Members was decided, considering the threats posed by them from external elements.

He said that these figures could not be made public due to security reasons. He said that it was an obligation of the Government to provide enough security to public representatives who had come forward on behalf of the country.

The Minister noted that the Government was highly concerned over the security of MPs including Opposition members.

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