PARLIAMENT

Emergency extended for country’s safety - Prime Minister

Sandasen MARASINGHE and Irangika RANGE

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa presided when Parliament met at 1 pm yesterday. After presentation of papers and oral questions, Prime Minister D M Jayaratne moved the motion to extend the State of Emergency by another one month.

Prime Minister D M Jayaratne opening the debate said that when we spoke of the security of the country, we had to talk of the LTTE, as they were the architects of the war and violence in Sri Lanka.

He said that during the last Sinhala and Tamil New Year season, we observed the unity that had been built up between the two communities. They were able to celebrate the season as the government was able to liberate the country from the LTTE violence and suicide bombers.

The number of local tourists who visited the North was massive. We have been able to reap the results of our attempts to bridge the North and the South. Both Sinhalese and the Tamils were benefitting economically out of this unity.

The rehabilitation process of the LTTE cadres was still in progress and 627 of them had been released after rehabilitation.

On the other hand, operations to detect hauls of weapons hidden by the LTTE were still in progress. In addition, we have been able to arrest some of the terrorists who had fled to the South during the last stages of the humanitarian operations.

Although the LTTE was eliminated from Sri Lanka, LTTErs in foreign countries were pressurizing other governments for help continue with their war for Eelam.

Although we extend the State of Emergency, most of its laws have been removed. We have kept back only a very few laws that would be helpful to prevent future threats to the national security. All those laws that were removed were published in the government Gazette. The Prime Minister said that he requested the members of this House to pass the motion to build up sustainable peace for the people in this country.

A report had also been prepared by the Advisory Committee of UN Secretary General. The people of this country expressed their protest against the report by rallying round President Mahinda Rajapaksa on May Day. We are happy that countries such as China, India and Russia had not agreed with this process and spoke in support of Sri Lanka. Although the UNP was divided, Ranil Wickremesinghe and Sajith Premadasa had made statements against the report. Only a few UNP members were speaking in support of the report.

The countries in our region were standing up for our country. They have said that wounds could be suffered at a war, but all were healing now.

Our leader President Mahinda Rajapaksa had healed the fear in the minds of the Sri Lankans, Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims and others.

There was a rumour that certain people from our country spoke against the country for monetary gain. But they should think that there should be a motherland for their children.

We respect different views, concepts, and ideas of the Opposition. But all should unite in the process of country’s economic development.

Joseph Michael Perera (UNP): Said the Government must take measures to abolish The Prevention of Terrorism Act. Otherwise, justice would not prevail in society. The Government was engage in media suppression, political influences and controlling of trade unions, by making use of the provisions of this Act.

Today powers of the emergency regulations are being used by the government to postpone elections. The Government had no power to do so. The people’s franchise has been violated through these unlawful activities. The Government should take immediate steps to appoint an Independent Elections Commission. It has only appointed an Elections Commissioner without the Commission. So how could we expect that free and fair elections would be conducted in the future in this manner? The law of this country has collapsed. The people have a problem with regard to the independency of the Judiciary.

We know that cases were being heard in courts for many years. But suddenly the Atterny-General says that the cases had been withdrawn. He is being compelled to do so due to various political influences. These types of incidents prove that the Government had misused its powers. Therefore the Government must ensure that justice should prevail in the country, while protecting the democratic rights of the people.

Chndrakumara Murugesu (UPFA) said the Government should take steps to release LTTE ex-combatants after the completion of rehabilitation. It has been appreciative of the Government’s efforts to release 1,000 former LTTE carders after rehabilitation.

Another 500 ex-combatants would also be released during the upcoming Vesak festival. The details of political prisoners should also be given to their families. The Tamils have suffered a lot due to the 30-year long war in the North and East.

They have lost their asserts and properties. Therefore we should help them uplift their livelihoods. Actually, the Government has done a greater service by rehabilitating and rebuilding the North and East, devastated by the war. We appreciate those efforts.

Human Resources Senior Minister Dew Gunasekera said that there was a need for imposing the State of Emergency in the country during the war. It had become an urgent need to maintain law and order in the country during the war. It had not been imposed to harras the people, but with the aim of preventing further terrorist activities in Sri Lanka. The emergency regulations had been implemented under many regimes since 1983. But we have removed several provision out of the State of Emergency after the elimination of terrorism in 2009.

So far nearly 30 clauses in the State of emergency had been eliminated. We would gradually remove several more clauses in the near future as well.

It has been necessary to appoint Independent Commissions to ensure that justice prevailed in society. So we hope that the Government would take steps to appoint the necessary independent commissions in due course.

Dayasiri Jayasekera (UNP) said democracy, good governance, media freedom and freedom of expression have been violated.

As members of the Opposition, we must talk of those issues in Parliament, when the government was engaged in violating democracy. Today university students, trade union leaders and monks could not express their views openly. They were being assaulted and abducted. So there was a serious problem with regard to democracy prevailing in this country.

The Government first of all should abolish emergency regulations. It was one of the strongest ways to face international influences.

Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said the majority of Sinhalese had forgotten the devastation caused by the LTTE during the war. They were just looking for a better future with many hopes and aspirations. But still there were certain efforts being made to raise the head of terrorism in this country again.

Such elements should be brought to justice. We have seen that various parties were spending their money to topple the Government during the recent elections.

These elements could come up with various ways to attack the sovereignty of the country. We must be vigilant of those issues and try to defeat them. There were clear evidence of some organizations spending billions of rupees to overthrow the present Government. So it was our duty to get together and go ahead with the integrated strategy. We must prevent the efforts of various forces who attempt to reorganize against Sri Lanka. It was also necessary to take stern action against those forces who directly or indirectly support terrorism.

Economic Development Deputy Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene said that the Government was compelled to impose the State of Emergency to prevent terrorist activities and protect the people’s lives and properties during the war. The security Forces had received information from arrested LTTE cadres about attempts being made nationally and internationally to continue with terrorism. So there was still an invisible threat to national security. The LTTE was strongly activated internationally. The LTTE organizations who were active in many countries had not given up their Eelam dream yet. That was why the State of Emergency was being extended.

The Government had a responsibility to protect the lives and properties of the people.

Dr Jayalath Jayawardena (UNP) said that Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka stated that the LTTErs should be punished irrespective of their positions. But why was Kumaran Padmanathan not punished? Although people were resettled they had not been provided with their basic facilities.

A H M Azwer takes the Chair

Sudarshani Fernandopulle (UPFA) said the UNP questioned as to why the State of Emergency was extended even after the elimination of terrorism. The LTTE was eliminated and the war which was fought with weapons was only arrested.

We have found many flaws in the Advisory Committee Report of Ban Ki Moon. We have come to know that Darusman was once an LTTE friendly person.

On the other hand, their inquiry had been partial. They have even questioned the LTTE friendly organizations, people and media institutions.

We could remember how bombs were blasted in buses and the LTTE killed more than 600 police officers who had surrendered. Even my husband was killed by the LTTE.

The Americans were very happy as Osama was killed and in the same manner, we were very happy at the death of LTTE leader Prabhakaran.

The American President had said that they know the cost of war. On the other hand, when civilians were being killed in Afghanistan, the US had stated that it was collateral damage. But they look at our matters from a different angle.

I state that no hospital during the last stage of the humanitarian operation was damaged by shell attacks.

A hospital in Kilinochchi was attacked. But not when it was functioning as a hospital. The LTTEers used it by evacuating all the patients, thinking it was a safe place.

We are aware of who had sent these incorrect facts. There were four doctors who worked on the instructions of the LTTE. Without following proper protocol, they had sent letters with false facts.

When the forces took over those areas, the doctors said they were compelled by the LTTE to do so. Now they were still working at the Ministry.

The UNICEF had said that nearly 82 percent of the children even amidst security operations obtained their vaccinations and other treatment.

Most of them had forgotten that even while operations were in progress, the government had spent money for the government servants in those areas.

S Vinayagamoorthy (TNA): The government said some people who took ransom were arrested in Kotahena. The government said the State of Emergency was needed to arrest such people. Does the government need the State of Emergency to arrest such people?

Sriyani Wijewickrama (UPFA): The State of Emergency does not affect the civilians and ordinary people. It is used only against terrorists.

Prabhakaran was killed not like Osama. Prabhakaran was killed in battle. But Osama was not in the battlefront when he was killed.

This government today treats the Tamil people more than the Sinhalese people. So this Advisory Report is not acceptable.

E Sarvanapavan (TNA): This State of Emergency Law is used to violate human rights and threaten democracy.

Buddhasana and Religious Affairs Deputy Minister M K A D S Gunawardena said that he narrowly escaped death while living in Trincomalee for 35 years. The LTTE had killed monks at Aranthalawa and in other places. The Sri Maha Bo Tree was attacked by the LTTE. About 162 persons who were observing Sil were killed. Muslims engaged in religious observances too were killed in Kathankudi by the LTTE. Ban Ki Moon was unable to witness them.

Lakshman Wasantha (UPFA) said most of the members of the Opposition stated that the State of Emergency was a law that threatened democracy. But the State of Emergency was a law imposed by democratic countries.

The government was taking steps to scale down the State of Emergency.

R Yogarajan (UNP) said that Sri Lanka was a member of the United Nations since its outset, so the UN Secretary General had a right to appoint a panel to advice him on this matter. He also had the right to appoint anybody to the panel. He did not need the sanction of anybody to do it.

Sajin Vass Gunawardena (UPFA): You were talking of reconciliation. I ask you Yogarajan why can’t you begin reconciliation with Minister Thondaman?

Housing, Construction, Engineering Services and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa said the members of Tamil parties who worked on a racist foundation, did not need to uplift the life standards of the innocent Tamil people, specially in the North.

They could win very easily while living in Colombo if they ignite racism in the minds of innocent Tamils.

This was the need of particular organizations living overseas.

When UN Secretary General’s Advisory Committee’s report was published, Rudrakumaran said it was just the beginning of their scheme.

The Un Secretary General’s report is biased. President Mahinda Rajapaksa who gave leadership to kill terrorist leader Prabhakaran receives allegations of war crimes, while US President Barak Obama who gave leadership to kill Osama bin Laden, is praised.

Vijitha Herath (DNA) said a new political chapter had begun in the aftermath of the war. Now the main responsibility of the Government was to take steps to promote national unity. The UN report had become a threat to the country’s sovereignty. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, made his first visit to Sri Lanka on the invitation of the Government after the war. He visited the conflict areas during his tour. He also signed an MoU with the Sri Lankan Government during his first visit. The report compiled by the UN has been based on this MoU. So it was the first mistake made by the Sri Lankan Government by signing the MoU with the UN. Under that MoU, the Government has agreed for the UN officials to visit Sri Lanka.

Aladin (UPFA): The Government has embarked on a massive development drive in the country, in the aftermath of the war. We must also join to find a solution to the ethnic problem. We have a challenge of winning the economic war. We must work hard to eliminate these problems.

Malini Fonseka (UPFA) said the people of this country were living happily in a peaceful environment in the aftermath of the war.

But still, several elements were trying to help raise the ugly heads of terrorism. The Government was committed to prevent such efforts. We would be promoting the unity of this country. Many artistes had already visited the North and had engaged in cultural programmes freely.

Ajith P Perera (UNP) said the independence of the judiciary was questionable. The Government had no intention of exercising justice and equality in the country. If justice was not exercised, the freedom achieved by the Armed Forces was not meaningful.

Irrigation and Water Resources Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, said that the Government intended to remove many clauses which oppress the people, gradually from the State of Emergency.

As the people of this country had already given the largest mandate to the Government, it had no idea of ruling the country by using the powers of the Emergency Regulations.

All Independent commissions would be established shortly. We would complete appointments of commissioners for these committees soon.

Uvais Farook (UPFA): Relevant authorities should give due consideration to the resettlement process. Problems concerning land disputes, should be addressed. Resettlers must be given proper deeds to their lands.

Infrastructure facilities too need to be provided to build new houses.

The House was adjourned until 1 pm today.

[State of Emergency extended]

The State of Emergency was extended by another one month with a majority of 93 votes in Parliament yesterday.

116 members voted for the motion moved by Prime Minister D M Jayaratne, while 23 members voted against. UNP, TNA and the DNA voted against.

TNA Member R Sampanthan asked for a division. JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake asked for the division by name.

Speaker tells House:

Employees’ Pension Benefits Fund Bill not inconsistent with Constitution

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa announced in Parliament yesterday, that the Employees’ Pension Benefits Fund Bill was not inconsistent with the Constitution.

He made these remarks when he announced the determination of the Supreme Court in regard to the Bill which was challenged before the Supreme Court under Article 121 (1) of the Constitution. He said the Court had determined that in terms of Article 123 (1) of the Constitution, neither the Bill nor any provision thereof was inconsistent with the Constitution.

The Speaker also ordered that the determination of the Supreme Court be printed in the official report of the days close proceedings.

Trincomalee MP requested to leave House

The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Trincomalee District Member M S Taufeek, had to leave Parliament yesterday as he was dressed in an attire which deemed unsuitable for a member of the House.

He had come dressed in a red coloured short sleeved shirt and was seated in the back row. At that moment, the Deputy Sergeant-at-Arm, Narendra Fernando, requested the member to leave the House.

Members were required to be attired in tunic, national suit or a full suit, while female members are required to wear saries.