Parliament

Govt rehabilitated 12,000 ex-LTTE combatants - Pavithra

Sandasen Marasinghe and Irangika Range

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa presided when Parliament at 1pm on Tuesday.

Justice Minister Rauf Hakeem said the government has taken steps in connection with the sensitive findings of the statements by Kumaran Padmanathan and it is the Attorney General's responsibility to decide if one should be rehabilitated or to charge against.

He made this observation in response to an adjournment motion moved by UNP MP Mangala Samaraweera.

Mangala Samaraweera (UNP): I suggest that this government should guarantee Right 12(1) in the constitution in connection with those who are in custody, specially those arrested with charges of being involved in terrorist activities. Those suspects should be treated equally.

I request the government to reveal all assets of the LTTE and remit them to the consolidated fund of the government.

Akila Viraj Kariyawasam (UNP): When KP was arrested, we were also very happy as the country would come to know terrorists who had connections with the LTTE.

Pavithra Vanniarachchi (Science and Technology Minister): When war experts said the LTTE could not be defeated, President Mahinda Rajapaksa was able to defeat the LTTE. He took various measures to achieve this and it was successful. Thereafter, he took measures to strengthen security in the country. This was also a success. KP, who told he was Prabakaran's successor, was arrested. We never do what you need and we have our own policies. We rehabilitated 12,000 ex-LTTE combatants and reunited them with their families and the society.

Mangala Samaraweera: We appreciate the work being carried out in Sri Lanka.

S Sumanthiran (TNA): We are pleased that the government rehabilitated 12,000 ex-LTTE combatants. The people in North are with the TNA.

Rohitha Abeygunawardena (Port and Highways Deputy Minister): The JVP was banned in Sri Lanka in 1971 and between the 1988 -1989 period. But, they later entered an accepted political stream. Thereafter what have we got to do with them? Should we hang them? Today no terrorists activities are committed in Sri Lanka.

There are no bomb blasts or mass murders in the country. There is no LTTE in the country. Democracy is guaranteed. Over 12,000 ex-LTTE combatants have been rehabilitated. At such a moment, KP is prepared to join the democratic stream.

Lakshman Kiriella (UNP): India has made 210 recommendations against Sri Lanka.

Prof Rajiva Wijesinha (UPFA): Much was discussed under this motion and concentrated on incidents after the war. I agree with the TNA member who said action against those arrested in connection with LTTE activities should be expedited. But I think what the government has done so far should be recognised. The rule of law should be strengthened and the government is heading in the right direction.

Sriyani Wijewickrama takes the Chair.

Vijitha Herath (DNA) : KP is the LTTE leader who engaged in weapon smuggling. He had money, ships and gold. The people like to know of those arrests and how he smuggled weapons.

Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan (Resettlement Deputy Minister): The JVP engaged in terrorist activities in two occasions. The 12,000 ex-LTTE combatants were rehabilitated and reunited with the society on the request of all parties. Under the same policy, KP was also pardoned.

Mahindananda Aluthgamage (Sports Minister): This government has put a fullstop to the three decade war. Now the people are enjoying the prospects of the victory over terrorism. Mangala Samaraweera moved this motion with a malicious intention.

Jayalath Jayawardena (UNP): I like to query if this government filed a case against KP before High Court? Has this government revealed KP's assets?

I like to ask the Justice Minister as to what measures have been taken in response with the Interpol warrant issued against KP?

Rauf Hakeem (Justice Minister): The operation of arresting KP was done legally.

It is up to the Attorney General to decide whether charges could be filed against a person before a court of law. So far, there is no such decision taken against KP.

Sarath Weerasekera (UPFA): A number of ex-LTTE combatants were intergrated to the society through rehabilitation programmes. The government handled KP in the correct way. We were able to obtain many valuable information from him.

Chandrasiri Gajadeera (Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Minister): Our government has obviously acted to sustain the establishment of peace and ensuring democratic rights of the people.

We have been able to integrate around 11,032 ex-LTTE combats so far. We have taken a number of measures to lead this country towards democracy.

That is why we have been able to defeat racism in the North. There should be peace and reconciliation between all communities. It is the only way to defeat racism in the country.

J Sri Ranga (UNP): It is useless about talking of eliminating terrorism. Four years have already passed after eliminating terrorism. The government should act to create reconciliation among the communities.