PARLIAMENT

Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva in Parliament:

No genuine concern in Motion

Sandasen MARASINGHE and Irangika RANGE

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa presided when Parliament met at 1.30 pm yesterday.

After the presentation of papers and oral questions, the House took up five private members motions for debate. UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake moved the first motion that the holding of Cabinet portfolios by the President and the Prime Minister was not appropriate.

UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake: Moved the second motion that granting permission to Journalists to attend meetings held under the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) and the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the Consultative Committees.

UPFA MP AHM Azwer: Moved the third motion, the establishment of Industrial Estates in the Puttalam District.

DNA MP Ajith Kumara: Moved the forth motion. The Establishment of a Museum in the Kegalle District.

UPFA MP Thilanga Sumathipala: Moved the fifth motion, implementing a practical program to address the housing issues of the owners of houses lacking in facilities living in Sri Lanka.

UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake:Moved a motion holding of Cabinet portfolios by this President and the Prime Minister was not appropriate.

Dayasiri Jayasekera (UNP): The holding of Cabinet portfolios by the President and the Prime Minister was not appropriate in order to have a very effective administration.

The Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga Bandaranaike, made a promise of appointing of a smaller Cabinet during her regime. She also promised not to hold any ministerial portfolios. But none of her promises were kept.

She later kept some ministries under her control. It was former President JR Jayewardene who did not keep any Ministry under his control. Today many Ministries have been brought under President Rajapaksa. This has failed to have a very effective administration and also to critically review the performances of these institutions.

Irrigation and Water Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva: Former President JR Jayewardene formulated the constitution. Holding of Cabinet portfolios by the President and the Prime Minister is in the constitution. It is in accordance with the constitution.

The UNP had not made any pledge that they would not hold any cabinet portfolios when a UNP candidate became the President. I do not see any genuine concern in this motion. Is this the personal view of MP Ravi Karunanayake, and the common view of the party? President Mahinda Rajapaksa used his executive presidency to wipe out terrorism. He did not use his powers to suppress the people.

UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake: Made a motion granting permission to journalists to attend all meetings held under COPE, PAC and Consultative Committees.

Journalists should be permitted to attend all meetings held under the COPE, PAC and Consultative Committees.

This will make the discussions more effective, meaningful and transparent.

If we allowed journalists to attend sittings of committees, the public will get information on corruption and irregularities made in the public sector.

John Amaratunga (UNP): This motion is timely. We have taken a leaf out of the book on American legislation.

The American government had allowed its journalists to attend their committees and report through their media organizations.

The public should be aware of the corrupt activities taking place in the public sector.

Foreign Employment Promotion Minister Dilan Perera: We have to make sure and that some of the facts and details subjected to discussions taking place in the COPE and the PAC. When these factors are opened to the public, the public will come to understand the gravity of what was happening.

There could be a positive or negative impact by permitting the media to report the proceedings in the COPE and PAC.

Sunil Handunnetti (DNA): I hope that the Speaker will be able to implement this motion. This is an example for the entire Asian region.

A number of cases including the VAT scam, corruption in many State organizations had been revealed to the public through these committees in the past years.

Therefore it is necessary to permit the media personnel to attend the sittings.

AHM Azwer (UPFA): There are standing orders to maintain a decorum of this House. Certain lawmakers have not fully understood the provisions of these legislations.

That is why this sort of motion was brought to the House.

Dayasiri Jayasekera (UNP): The Government should consider these issues which are very important to implement an effective administration and make the country free of irregularities and corruption.

Information published committee through the media will eliminate corruption taking place in the public sector.

Ravi Karunanayaka (UNP): Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody takes the chair.

This Government that speaks of transparency, does not act accordingly.

The Government conceals information from the media. The Government members do not answer to the questions raised by opposition members.

The population in India is 1200 million while the Cabinet consists of 31 Ministers. Though we have population of 20 million, our cabinet has more than 80 Ministers. There is an absolute necessity for a national economy, but that is what is lacking in this country.

UPFA Member A H M Azwer moved the private Members Bill on Establishment of Industrial Estates in the Puttalam District.

A H M Azwer (UPFA): Industrial Estates should be established at suitable locations in the Puttalam District with a view to boosting up the industries, and to provide employment opportunities to the youth.

In Puttalam, there are lots of industries connected to salt, clay porcelain, coconut, thal palm, fishing and coir. There is a great demand in the world market for coir.

All these industries could be developed in these areas. Puttalam district is a prospurous area. That is the area where King Vijaya embarked in to Sri Lanka.

We can establish small cement factories in that area. On the other hand, we can concentrate on the cashew industry.

Victor Antony (UPFA): I second this motion as it is very timely. The importance of this suggestion is that it goes in line with the President’s concept of managing resources in small areas enabling them to contribute to the national economy.

The salt manufacturing industry, raring cattle, dried copra industry and many other industries could be developed. The Puttalam district is in abundant in resources to develop any kind of industry.

Rev Ellawala Medananda Thera (UPFA): The motion moved by Member Azwer is a timely one. Most of the people in our country think Puttalam and Mannar districts are arid areas which is not so. These areas were very important during the early days of history.

Even Ptolemy had noted in his map that there was a part called Margana. It is noted that a huge coconut estate in Puttalam had been offered to a temple in Mihintale by Sinhala Kings.

A H M Azwer (UPFA): I thank Victor Antony and Ven Ellawala Medananda Thera for joining the debate. The Thera spoke much about Puttalam. That is why the President has instructed to initiate the Development of the Kalpitiya part. The Charcoal industry in Puttalam district could also be developed.

DNA Member Ajith Kumara presented a private members bill for the establishment of a Museum in Kegalle District.

Ajith Kumara (DNA): I suggest that steps be taken to establish a museum for archaeological monuments and for the propose of obtaining information regarding places which have archaeological, cultural and social values.

The Kegalle District is of much significance for its prehistoric ages. Where other districts were concerned, they were important only to a particular era.

There are a lot of Ola leaves, stone scriptures, Caves etc in Kegalle district. I suggest that a museum should be established in the Kegalle District.

Ven Ellawala Medananda Thera (UPFA): This motion is also a very timely motion. When the conservation of Deliwala, Katavehera, I emphasized the importance of accumulating historical facts in the Kegalle District.

The Kegalle District is a very important area in our history. There are a large number of stone scriptures in this district.

There is evidence that a Buddhist Conference was held at Wattarama temple in the Kegalle district. There is a museum in Deliwala Kata Vehera. It has been established that it had provided the first model of the structure of ancient temples.

Most of the archaeological sites are subjected to decay and it is very important to establish a museum in Kegalle district to protect them.

National Heritage Minister Professor Jagath Balasooriya: Ajith Kumara’s suggestion is appreciable. When President Mahinda Rajapaksa went on a visit to the North Central Province, he wanted to provide a museum in the Polonnaruwa District.

He took this decision as the North Cental Province had one museum. But this province consists of two districts, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa.

The Government has taken measures to establish museums in each district.

Ajith Kumara (DNA): I thank the Minister for the important decision taken by the Government.

Thilanga Sumathipala UPFA: I presented the private members’ bill for implementing a practical program to address the housing issues concerning the owners of houses lacking facilities living in Sri Lanka.

I suggest that a practical programme be formulated to address the People’s housing issues by constructing flats and cluster flat schemes in Colombo and other cities in its neighbourhood, under the vision of Mahinda Chintana for ensuring the right of each and every family living in Sri Lanka to live in a house that consists of their basic requirements, drinking water, electricity, toilet facilities and a kitchen.

The people living in houses lacking in facilities also have created many social problems.

They never pay their electricity bills and water bills. So we have to find a lasting solution to this issue.

Duminda Silva (UPFA):

I second this motion. Under the instruction of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the supervision of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, a housing project of 75,000 houses was initiated. Those houses were for the people living in slums in Colombo district.

But UNP members tried to take petty political gains by stating that the government was going to send then into rural areas. But the housing projects were initiated in Kolonnawa, Borella, Colombo North etc.

Shantha Bandara (UPFA):

The people living in slums faced many difficulties and they tend to engage in malpractices. But somehow, we thank the government for taking measures to solve this problem.

Arundika Fernando (UPFA):

We have to thank all those who contributed to solve the housing problem of the people living in shanties in Colombo.

There are lots of houses lacking facilities in other districts as well. Their problems also have to be solved.

Thilanga Sumathipala (UPFA):

Around 1,200 tons of solid waste were dumped in Colombo City per day. Now that problem too is being solved.

Most people have a liking to go to their workplaces while living in the city. Now those problems too were being solved.

Parliament Adjourned until 1 pm on April 27.

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Private sector pension scheme

The Government yesterday presented a Bill to Parliament, seeking its approval to establish a Fund to introduce a private sector pension scheme which will benefit over 800,000 employees.

The Bill was presented by Leader of the House and Irrigation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva and it seeks to establish an Employees’ Pension Benefit Fund.

The Bill is to establish a fund by contributing ten percent of the annual profit of the Employees Trust Fund, the moneys lying in inactive accounts of members of the Employees’ Provident Fund where such members have passed the age of seventy years and a government bond for rupees one thousand million having a long-term maturity period.

Pension scheme for migrant workers

The Government yesterday presented a Bill to Parliament to establish a fund to provide pensions for migrant workers.

Leader of the House, Irrigation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva presented the Bill to the House on behalf of the Prime Minister.

The Bill suggested the establishment of an Overseas Employees Pension Benefits Fund. The Fund shall comprise a sum of rupees one thousand million as the initial capital to be allocated by the government from the Consolidated Fund, the monies lying to the credit of the Fund established under the Foreign Employment Bureau of Sri Lanka on April 1, 2011 shall be transferred to the fund.

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Motion against President, PM holding portfolios rejected

Attempts to pass two resolutions by UNP Colombo District MP Ravi Karunanayke in Parliament yesterday, against the President and Prime Minister holding Cabinet portfolios and allowing the media to attend the sessions of the parliamentary watchdog committee sessions were rejected by the House.

MP Karunanayake making use of the opportunity for moving Private members’ motions had moved two motions seeking the approval of the House to resolve “that holding of Cabinet portfolios by the President and Prime Minister was not appropriate in order to have a very effective administration and to critically review performance of the ministers,” and “journalists must be permitted to attend all meetings held under the Committee on Public Enterprises, Public Accounts Committee and Consultative Committees as this would make discussions more effective, meaningful and transparent.”

The motion seeking the approval of the House against the President and Prime Minister had been taken for debate on October 8, 2010 and was adjourned. At the end of the debate Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa asked for approval or disapproval of the House on the motion. The government members said that they were opposed to the motion. Accordingly, the Speaker ruled out that the House does not resolve to impose limits for the President and the Prime Minister holding ministerial portfolios.

Thereafter the House took the second motion moved by MP Karunanayake. Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkodi presided. At the end of the debate the stand of the House over the motion, was taken and the government lawmakers opposed the motion. The Deputy Speaker asked whether the House called for a division. Although the government members expressed their willingness for a division, the Opposition did not call for a division. So the Deputy Speaker ruled out that the House did not seek to resolve permitting the journalists’ access to the sessions of the COPE, PAC and the Consultative Committees.

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At adjournment

Journalists should act with responsibility

Media and Information Minister Dr Keheliya Rambukkwella told Parliament yesterday that journalists should not be given wildass freedom. He said that journalists should perform their duties in a responsible manner without bias.

Minister Rumbukkwella, responding to an adjournment motion moved by UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekera, said journalists should be held equally responsible in the issue and should not be let off easily. Their reporting should avoid discrimination, personal embarrassment or damage to one’s personal life as they enjoy the freedom in expressing their views.

“We saw that many media organizations acted in a responsible manner except several others were behaved irresponsibly during the war.

It has been reported that several journalists had acted by following instructions of NGOs and their money. This situation should be changed and journalists should implement ethical standards.

The media’s responsibility, especially the news media, was to disseminate information to the public in a transparent and objective manner. They were also expected to act in the guise of a watchdog. We certainly assure the rights to access of information, he said. “We know that most newspapers excepting for a few, were engaged in mud slinging against the Government,” he said. Text of the speech made in Parliament by UPFA National List MP, AHM Azwer on the Adjournment motion moved by him on the Libyan crisis“The Military attack presently
carried on in the Libyan Jamahiriya has caused great consternation
and bewilderment throughout the world.The indiscriminate bombings by the Western Alliance have already caused loss of human lives and destruction to places of worship and other buildings.The military intervention in Libya by the joined forces of America, the UK and France has raised a huge uproar throughout the world. This is an act of blatant violation of the UN Charter. Some of these countries responsible for death of over one and a half million civilians in Iraq and in Afghanistan
were also accomplices on the crimes against the Palestinian people. They stand by and watch as the Zionist Israelis massacre innocent Palestinians. This has been continuing for over five decades. The international media opines that the military
intervention in Libya is directed both to secure access to oil resources and to bring strong military presence in this region which would be a potential danger to the Arab and Muslim World in the future.United Nations CharterThe conscience of the world community is highly disturbed by this deliberate violation of human rights and the violation of the United Nations Charter on Non-interference on the internal
affairs of other countries.This Parliament therefore appeals to all people and Governments to cry an immediate halt to the attack carried on by the Western Alliance on Libya and also recognize the honour, dignity and the freewill of the people of the Libyan Jamahiriya to decide their future course of action by themselves.
The Almighty God has not abdicated His Almighty power and given that power to any nation to invade another country and carry on aggression in that country. Now, this is being done by the so-called superpowers. The whole world is crying out: “Stop it, stop it!” They want this to be stopped. Now, what is happening in Libya? It is rather sad. It is a challenge to the right-thinking people of the world, the common
sense and the conscience of the people and it is an affront to world peace and justice.LTTE terrorismIn a country, if somebody wants to change the ruler, the administration or the government,
it is purely the business of the people of that country to do so. There was this war - LTTE terrorism - in our country for the last 30 years completely endangering our lives and almost threatened the annihilation of the nation. Now, suppose, if some so-called super power came to Prabhakaran’s place and said, “Stop the war” and if our President did not heed to such request, what would be the fate of this country? Now, this is the real threat that people all over are facing.You look back at Egypt 60 years ago, there was King Farouk. He was overthrown via a military coup by the Free Officers Movement of Muhammad Naguib and Gamal Abdel Nasser in 1952. Later, they both were Presidents at various times. Now, that is the will of the people; the people
rose up and deposed the King of that country. The Shah of Iran, Muhammed Reza Phalavi too suffered the same fate in 1979.Western interestsWhat is happening in Libya today is the continuity
of imperialism, which malady has spread over the globe after the collapse of colonialism. The oilfields offer grand incentives for the imperialist
forces to move in under the guise of protecting
the masses of that country. Evidently, vested interest in usurping the Black Gold which are awaiting to be reaped. Western interests are foremost when it comes to establish so-called democracy in specific Middle-
Eastern countries. We see the fate of the poor Palestinians who are massacred by Israel, day in and day out. Where is justice there? It is really double standard in weighing
justice. If you apply the same yardstick that the Western
powers are applying in Libya today, who is the power that will bomb Israel? These are questions the people must ask. The world must rise up. No more can the people
sleep.What is so sensitive about establishing democracy
in Libya? There is hardly a whimper from the West as far as those autocracies are concerned.Now, there is a new disease that is spreading in the ranks of the United National Party. The UNP is always an enemy of anyone
who is a friend of President
Mahinda Rajapaksa. Muammar
al-Gaddafi, King Abdul-Aziz of Saudi Arabia and all the others including Hosni Mubarak, Dr Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa of Qatar, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan of UAE, Sheikh Salman bin Khalifa
of Bahrain, Sheikh Salim al-Sabah of Kuwait, Sultan bin Qabood of Oman are all friends of our President; no doubt, they are all friends of Sri Lanka. These friendships are based on the concept of the ‘Mahinda
Chinthana - Nawa Dekma’. That is the clear foreign policy that this Government
is following now. Whether it be the West or the East, we are friends of all. During the war, America up to Japan, India, Pakistan, all these countries helped us at the crucial stages.To page 9Attack on Libya causes worldwide angerA right is not what someone gives you; it’s what no one can take from you - Ramsey Clark While rejecting allegations in sections of the West of human rights violations by the country’s security forces during the humanitarian operation of 2009, the government
has gone on record that it is following its own processes for the resolution of issues which arose from the conflict in the country. That is, Sri Lanka would not be flinching from exercising its sovereign right of finding a solution
to an internal problem entirely by itself.The issues that have arisen could be described as an acid test of the reasoning powers of the finest minds. It is a veritable article of faith of the international community that the sovereignty of the states of the world should be scrupulously respected and upheld. An inevitable inference from this premise is that no outside power, state or organization could tamper with the internal affairs of a country. Further more, all states enjoy sovereign equality and need to relate to each other on the basis of this principle. These and many more rules of international conduct are today an integral part of International Law.It follows, therefore, that those sections of the international community which are clamouring for Sri Lanka’s blood on the basis of the so-called accountability issue and related questions,
are on the wrong side of International Law. Moreover, they would need to ensure that they are not exercising double standards in doing so, because the question would arise as to how scrupulously the rules of international conduct are being adhered to by some states today. It should not be perceived that in the comity of nations where all states are equal, some states are ‘more equal than others’. Such gross irregularities of conduct could be the trigger
to international anarchy.Moreover, the world is obliged to acknowledge the efforts Sri Lanka is making towards finding a permanent solution to the conflict by itself. That is, Sri Lanka’s endeavours in finding a solution to the conflict on the basis of local thinking in all its diversity need to be appreciated.
It is from this point of view that the current Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission
(LLRC) should be viewed and assessed. It is an answer to President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s declared aim of finding a home grown solution to our problem.Currently, the LLRC is proving a forum for the airing of the views of those who were affected by the conflict over the years. The Commission has thus far, addressed issues such as those relating to the well being of the displaced in the conflict and has taken up the problem of bringing
justice to those who have been detained without trial. The relatives of those who have disappeared without a trace have also aired their problems to the LLRC. Many more questions
arising from the conflict have been taken up before the LLRC and it is plain to see that it is proving a useful mechanism in working out a solution to the problems arising from North-East separatism.Some steady work has been performed by the inter-ministerial committee headed by the Attorney
General which has been tasked with acting on the recommendations of the LLRC. In view of the tangled nature of some of the issues in the conflict, it is only to be expected that remedial
measures would emerge gradually. Sri Lanka therefore could not be accused of dragging its feet. It is doing what the people of this country expect of it in terms of finding a lasting solution to the conflict and is doing so on the basis of its own efforts. Those sections of the world community which are picking Sri Lanka out for stinging criticism on alleged human rights violation and other grounds are doing so in a destructive spirit and with an overbearing
mentality suggestive of that of the colonizer
of old.What these critical sections could do is to see for themselves, at first hand, the work of the LLRC and even make their submissions to it, rather than choose to pick holes in its operations from afar. Besides, the prime responsibility of the Lankan state to protect its citizens from destructively-
bent embodiments of terror, such as the LTTE, needs to be recognized. What applies to a state in the West applies to Sri Lanka as well; what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. That said, the onus is on the Lankan state to forge steadily ahead in the task of bringing reconciliation to the country. There should not be grounds for belief in any quarter that the state is lagging in this regard. It is President Rajapaksa’s aim to make Sri Lanka one home for the totality of its sons and daughters.
The state, through positive endeavours in the direction of reconciliation and unity, is duty-bound to make this laudable aim a reality. Home grown solution in the truest senseSaturday April 9, 2011THOUGHT for the dayDNpage 8SATURDAY APRIL 9, 2011EDITORIALThe Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited, LAKE HOUSEP. O. Box 1217 No. 35, D.R. Wijewardene Mawatha, Colombo 10, Sri LankaTelephone: (011) 242 9211 Fax: (011) 242 9210 E-mail: [email protected] MP Azwer tells ParliamentSUNITA VAKILWill the adventurist diplomacy
indulged in by India pave the way for improving
bilateral ties between the two countries or prove to be a wildgoose
chase?Given the roller coaster trajectory
of Indo-Pakistan relations, it would be pertinent to quote Goethe:
“in all things it is better to hope than to despair.” At a time when the relations between the two neighbours have got into a rut, Dr Manmohan Singh’s cricket
diplomacy coinciding with the resumption of full spectrum dialogue
after a hiatus of 27 months, has once again led to soaring of expectations on both sides of the border.As of now, the dialogue process is caught in the cusp between hope and despair. Indeed, the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s
yet another olive branch to Pakistan is laudable seeking to create an atmosphere of goodwill. However, whether the occasion achieves any tangible results or ends with a whimper remains to be seen. Certainly, the Indian PM deserves appreciation for initiating
a bold step and extending a good gesture. By cashing in on the opportunity
to give peace yet another chance he has made a positive move in the interest of improving relations between the two neighbours.
It is a big step forward especially
when the relationship between the two countries has hit a new low post the Indian Embassy bombing in Kabul and the Mumbai attack in 2008.Indeed, Dr. Singh’s overtures signal that he has not given up on Pakistan and wants to give dialogue with Islamabad one more chance. His statement ‘cricket has been a unifying factor’ demonstrated his commitment to making inroads in this vexed relationship.While many believe that such bouts of cricket diplomacy have had a limited
impact in dispelling the clouds of mutual distrust, no one can seriously argue that the resumption of dialogue between the two countries could hardly have waited indefinitely.True, the recent history of talks between the two neighbours is not very encouraging. But for all that, there is no recourse except for India to engage with Pakistan
to sort out contentious issues between the two countries. So, there is no realistic alternative to dialogue. One hopes the move will remove the knots in bilateral relations.
But in our efforts to normalize relations
with Pakistan, it would be a folly to get swayed away too much. Of course, we have been here several
times before. Right from Tashkent
(1966), Shimla (1972) to Lahore (1999) to Agra (2001), we have been swamped by high hopes of a breakthrough
followed by deep disappointments.
This is also not the first time that cricket is being used to boost the ties between the two countries. General Zia-ul-Haq and General Pervez Musharraf
too indulged in cricket diplomacy.
While Dr. Singh went overboard when he said “Gilani Sahab and I have had extensive discussions on all outstanding
issues and we have reaffirmed
our resolve that there are difficulties
on the way but we will make every honest effort to overcome those difficulties,” it is difficult to digest such hyperbole. It is anybody’s guess as to how far the voices of sanity will travel and whether they will be heard in Islamabad.
Moreover, cricket diplomacy is no magic wand that can suddenly transform
the long strained India-Pakistan relations into one of warmth and understanding. The need of the hour is to sort out long standing issues in a spirit of give and take. Quoting an Italian proverb ‘the man who lives only by hope will die with despair’, now there must be efforts to exploit the goodwill and seize upon initiatives already taken. The next few months will show whether the new beginning at Mohali is a new dawn of hope or a winter of despair.Hope and despair General Zia-ul-Haq General Pervez Musharraf Indian PM Manmohan Singh AHM Azwer, MPCricket diplomacy: India Vs Pakistan World Cup semi finals. Picture courtesy: GoogleWhat is happening in Libya today is the continuity of imperialism, which malady has spread over the globe after the collapse of colonialism. The oilfields offer grand incentives for the imperialist forces to move in under the guise of protecting the masses of that country. Evidently, vested interest in usurping the Black Gold which are awaiting to be reaped. Western interests are foremost when it comes to establish so-called democracy in specific Middle-Eastern countries

Dayasiri Jayasekera (UNP) said the Government was still engaged in curbing the media freedom. Eighteen media personal have already been assassinated. But no action has been taken against any person responsible for these assassinations.

We know that many journalists were branded as General Sarath Fonseka’s supporters and harassed brutally. Some of them had been arrested on false allegations. The Government must act to stop occurrences of this nature. The Government should create an environment where journalists could work independently.

Sunil Handunetti (DNA) said that those who had attacked Sirasa some time back had not been brought to book. Editor of Lanka Newspaper Chandana Sirimalwatta had been detained by the CID and later released, saying that there were no charges against him.

If the Wikileaks Editor was in Sri Lanka, we too would not be able to find even his ashes. Thilanaga Sumathipala(UPFA) said the Government had always acted in a responsible manner. Media freedom has been ensured by the government. Journalists should also act in a responsible manner without violating the fundamental rights of the people.

Arundhika Fernando (UPFA) Both UNP and the JVP have no right to point their fingers against the Government with regard to the assassinations and abductions of journalists. It was under the UNP regime that many journalists were brutally assassinated.

A number of well known and senior journalists were assassinated. Many media organizations were sealed.

Victor Anthony (UPFA) It is the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime that had ensured media freedom.