Parliament

'Opposition aiming to achieve ends through US'

Sandasen MARASINGHE and Irangika RANGE

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa presided when Parliament met at 1 pm yesterday. After the presentation of papers and oral questions, the House took up the adjournment motion on the Geneva resolution, moved by DNA Parliamentary Group Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, for debate.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake (DNA): I moved this adjournment motion to draw Parliament's attention to the resolution against Sri Lanka passed at the UNHRC recently in Geneva. This particular resolution is an undue intervention by USA led western countries in the internal affairs of Sri Lanka.

The UN is a front body of neo imperialist nations and does not ensure equal rights to member nations.

A gang of few nations led by the US calls the shots in the UN to achieve the aims of neo imperialism. The agenda of this gang of nations is aimed at changing governments and bringing in puppet rulers to developing countries so that they have continued access to their resources, labour and markets. These nations make use of the UN, and capitalize on UN sanctions to put pressure on selected nations.

Without understanding the reality, some Cabinet ministers demonstrated to the people with their antics and became a laughing stock in the eyes of the public. No matter the King's Court in ancient times having jokers who acted as court jesters. But the government should act more prudently.

Lakhsman Kiriella (UNP): The resolution demands the implementation of the recommendations made by the LLRC. The report has proposals to investigate abductions, stop unlawful killings, establish civil rights and independent institutions and restore media freedom.

When the LLRC report was released the government said it would implement these recommendations. But none of the recommendations have been implemented so far. The government must reveal its stand in this regard. Though the government pledged a number of promises, none of the promises have been kept.

Luxman Kiriella continues: Can the USA and Europe impose trade sanctions against our country? The agenda of the international community goes forward step by step, but we do not have such an agenda.

The Indian Minister Krishna asked Minister GL Peiris one question. What was his answer? Krishna asked , what was thirteen plus.

However we urge the government to defeat the resolution against us. We support the government in that endeavour.

The international community has set a trap. We have to get out of it. We, including the Opposition Leader would extend support.

Human Resources Senior Minister DEW Gunasekara: Anura Kumara Dissanayake discussed the matters up to the point the resolution was presented.

Terrorism was initiated in 1976 but the war commenced in 1983. The resolution however concentrates on the accountability of the war at the last stage when terrorism was eliminated. We knew that in 1983 and 1989 human rights were violated. No body talked about them. But the resolution concentrates on the last stage of the war when the LTTE was defeated. At this stage the west made several suggestions to us. We did not heed them and defeated them.

Because of this reason the Anglo Saxons developed a jealousy towards us. If this situation was created five years ago we would not have been able to end the war.

India is a third world country. The highest relationship between Sri Lanka and India was maintained not during UNP regimes.

The two governments have a mutual understanding. India voted against Sri Lanka because of an internal problem. It is a defeat, this is not an individual defeat this is a defeat for the entire region.

Our government handed over 11,696 ex-LTTE combatants to the families after rehabilitation. Hundreds of them were illiterate. We commenced education for them. Of the 11,696 more than 300 entered university.

The TNA members have to be grateful to us. Members of our forces armed with a weapon carried the parents of Prabhakaran to a safe place during the last stage of the war. The Opposition and the TNA never appreciated it in Parliament.

Deputy Chairman of Committees Chandrakumar Murugesu: We should know we are put to difficulty by external pressure.

What we should know is that after the elimination of terrorism, murders ceased, sanctions were removed, people walk freely and are building up cordial relationships.

Still there are more issues to solve. For this reason the President has invited all to join hands to find a solution.

The President is taking measures to implement the recommendations of the LLRC report. All persons including the leftist parties, the TNA and people who love peace have come before the LLRC Commission.

Joseph Michael Perera (UNP): We have a problem today.

Deputy Chairman of Committees Murugesu Chandrakumar takes the Chair.

The problem has now come into the hands of the international community. The stance of the government in respect of the Geneva resolution has not been divulged so far.

Joseph Michael Perera (UNP): This is a very important debate. The government should take measures to implement the recommendations submitted by the LLRC report. They should listen to and accept the views presented by MPs in the Opposition. Our main request to the government is to take measures to protect human rights. The time has arrived for us to get-together and find solutions for the problems irrespective of party politics. It will be the best answer to counter the Geneva resolution. We would like to know the response of the government with regard to the UNHRC resolution.

Construction, Engineering Services and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa:

The USA, led by several Western countries is trying to raise the ugly head of terrorism again in Sri Lanka. They know there is no opportunity in Sri Lanka to revive terrorism as long as President Rajapaksa is in power.

This is a resolution passed with the support of the TNA. It is an unwanted intervention in the internal affairs of the country. Now the Opposition is waiting until the next resolution is brought against Sri Lanka, by the international community. These are the dreams and expectations of the Opposition.

Certain elements who supported the UNHRC resolution against Sri Lanka celebrated the victory, when the resolution was passed at the UNHRC. These elements wish to divide the country. President Rajapaksa always expressed his firm stand against international influences in the internal matters of Sri Lanka. He did not dance to the tune of foreign interference. That is why the USA brought this resolution. It is a revenge by the USA and other Western Forces.

Housing and Construction Minister Wimal Weerawansa told Paliament yesterday that President Mahinda Rajapaksa is bravely facing the challenges that have cropped up in the aftermath of the Geneva resolution against Sri Lanka, and accused the opposition of trying to undermine the government by working covertly against the interests of the country. What they (the opposition) could not achieve using Velupillai Prabhakaran, they are trying to achieve through US President Barak Obama, Minister Weerawansa said while speaking during the debate on the Geneva resolution. The minister devoted much of his speech to attack the UNP, the JVP as well as the TNA, all of whom he said were dreaming of coming to power using the influence of these external forces.

D. M. Swaminathan (UNP): My point of view on this issue is that the Sri Lankan government blew it out of proportion. The resolution simply calls upon the government to implement the salient features and comments made by the LLRC report. If the government's so called policy statement is that no foreign country should inter meddle with Sri Lankan affairs, it should immediately resign from UN membership.

Commerce and Industries Minister Rishad Bathiudeen: We suffered immensely due to the 30-year long brutal war. People underwent great hardships due to LTTE threats. A number of sacred areas and public places were attacked and distorted by the LTTE. Thousands of innocent people were killed. It was President Rajapaksa who took measures to liberate the country, when he came into power in 2005. The government has already implemented several recommendations submitted by the LLRC. It is committed to protect the democratic rights of the people.

The government will take all possible measures for the well-being of the people while engaging in development activities. Today the international community wants to topple the present government. They are aware that they are unable to interfere with the internal affairs of Sri Lanka as long as President Rajapaksa is in the power.

Environment Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa: The reconciliation programme is being implemented by the government. Many problems they raised were issues that have already been changed. This situation prevailed even during the UNP regime. One is the Tamil Language. The Tamil Language is a national language. There is a Chief Minister in the East. That is power devolution.

The LTTE is not an innocent organization. The LTTE killed their own great leader Neelan Thivuchelvam. They violated their right to expression and human rights. LTTE killed Rajiv Ghandi.

However the UNP has no backbone even today to say that the LTTE is a terrorist organization. There is no organization that violated the rights of Tamil people other than the LTTE. You are talking today against great Tamil politicians like Ponnambalam Arunachalam and Ponnambalam Ramanathan.

If the government does not put a full stop to the problems of the Tamil people, their problems would become graver in the future.

You only talk of the few days of the last stage of the war. You don't consider the entire career of the LTTE. The government has developed the North and East in many ways. Roads, have been developed. LTTE cadres have been rehabilitated, resettled and united with their families.

The TNA and UNP never speak a word about them. The LTTE never attempted to bring liberation to the Tamils.

Heaven can be created within the country. No outsider has a genuine need to create a heaven for us.

Ajith P Perera (UNP): The UNP does not have two stances but one. It is the stance of the UNP working committee. The Opposition has expressed its stance with regard to the LLRC recommendations. Now the government has to express its stance.

Suresh Premachandra (TNA): The government said 11,000 LTTE cadres were rehabilitated. The names of those who surrendered were not made known to us. We are not allowed to see to the needs of the Jaffna people.

Sajin Vas Gunawardena: USA has said they had no discussions with the TNA. But Suresh Premachandra said in a newspaper that there was an invitation from USA for a discussion.

We have only one Foreign Minister. It is G L Peiris, unlike the UNP.

Anura Dissanayake told us to consider how these issues began. These issues initiated with the white flag statement by a person named Sarath Fonseka. However the TNA and others created a conducive environment for that.

We established the LLRC as there is a need for that. Suresh Premachandra when you worked as a government servant didn't you request security from government as you faced threats from the terrorists? Why do you maintain double standards? By now the government has spent Rs 700 billion for the development of the North. Now you have nothing to do there. That is the problem you have today.

This government led by President Rajapaksa initiated these programmes not to be abandoned. They will be incessant programmes.

Sovereignty cannot be interpreted in different ways. Ajith Perera, and Suresh Preamachandra UNP and TNA should understand that.

Our stance is that we never betray the country. We never go after USA, Canada, or any other country to find solutions to issues as you do.

Lakshman Kiriella spoke of Sudan and separation. They do not have any stance today. They try to go somewhere with the TNA.

The UNP is trying to hold their May Day rally in Jaffna. Then Ajith Perera said a large number went to Geneva. Yes, a large number came to canvass against Sri Lanka. There was a need for the presence of a large number in Geneva. Why did we go there and for whom? Ajith Perera and UNP has forgotten that. It is for the country.

We implement the LLRC recommendations.

We have cleared 1,412 square kilometres in the North at a speed no other country has done so far. We found 15,000 unexploded bombs and 42,000 anti personnel mines.

We have never deviated from fulfilling our duty.

The House adjourned until 1 pm today.

Speaker warns members

The Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa yesterday warned the ministers not to speak of irrelevant facts when they answer the questions for oral answers raised by the Parliamentarians.

The Speaker also warned he would have to take measures if members disturbed by standing up when they answer questions for oral answers. The Speaker made this warning when Posts and Highways Deputy Minister Nirmala Kothalwala attempted to voice a view complaining about the Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe. Deputy Minister was tabling an answer.