Opposition Leader’s position pathetic - Prof G L
Sandasen MARASINGHE, Irangika RANGE and Disna
MUDALIGE
External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris yesterday stated in
Parliament that it was pathetic to see Opposition Leader Ranil
Wickremesinghe opposing the Commonwealth Summit being held in Sri Lanka
in 2013, while 54 countries have unanimously decided to hold it in Sri
Lanka.
Minister G L Peiris made this observation in Parliament in response
to a statement made by Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe while
speaking on the debate in support of the 2012 budget.
Prof G L Peiris |
The minister further stated that representatives of 54 Commonwealth
countries gathered in Perth, Western Australia three weeks before and
unanimously decided to hold the Commonwealth Summit in Sri Lanka in
2013.
The minister stated that one country attempted to move a resolution
against holding the Commonwealth Summit in Sri Lnaka.
The minister added it was a matter to be proud that 15 countries of
Asia, Africa and Latin America stood against that resolution and the
particular country had to withdraw it.
He added that they emphatically stated that they extend their
unreserved support and cooperation to hold the Commonwealth Summit in
Sri Lanka in 2013. Minister G L Peiris stated that the representative of
the country who tried to move the resolution against Sri Lanka later on
met the minister and said to him that they were not strong enough to
move it. So they decided to withdraw it.
The minister further stated that the saddest fact is that it was only
Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe who was opposing the Commonwealth
Meeting being held in Sri Lanka.
Minister Peiris stated that Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe
taking off a tie, a Commonwealth tie in Parliament and quarried what did
it mean. “Does it mean that the decision of 54 Heads of States can be
reversed by such an empty gesture,” the minister asked.
“It is an empty and meaningless gesture and it is a sign of
disrespect, not to the President and government but to the people of Sri
Lanka.
Minister G L Peiris further stated that President Mahinda Rajapaksa
and himself met Indian Opposition and B J P Leader Sushma Swaraj in New
Delhi four months ago.
Swaraj told Prof Peiris that whatever criticism they levelled against
the Indian government in India they speak as one on India’s behalf and
take a united stand in relation with international matters concerning
India’s wellbeing.
The minister further stated that they met Sonia Gandhi the same night
and told her about the Opposition Leader’s views.
Sonia Gandhi said that it was a deep-rooted political concept and
policy of all the political parties in India.
He added that this stance was a good lesson for our Opposition
Leader. |