Easter Sunday attacks: Speaker receives Presidential Commission interim report
Speaker Karu Jayasuriya yesterday said that he has received the interim report of the Presidential Commission appointed to inquire into the Easter Sunday terror attack. The Speaker further said that he will table the full report as soon as he receives it.
Speaker Jayasuriya made these observations in response to a question raised by UNP MP Thushara Indunil who questioned about the outcome of the Presidential Commission inquiring into the Easter Sunday terror attack.
Meanwhile, several Opposition MPs yesterday raised concerns over the security provided to Parliament.
Mahajana Eksath Peramuna leader MP Dinesh Gunawardena raising a Point of Order, questioned whether Speaker Jayasuriya is updated with accurate information on the security of Parliament.
“Two officers who were attached to Parliament have been taken into custody for being part of the organization that carried out the Easter Sunday terror attacks. One month has elapsed since the attack. Investigations on this terrorist group had started even before this terror attack. You have clearly told us that Parliament was under a great security threat too. So we would like to know if you are continuously updated about the security status of Parliament. This is not only for our and the staff’s safety, but also because this is the center point of democracy in a country,” MP Gunawardena questioned.
In reply, Speaker Jayasuriya said that he receives daily and hourly security updates on the security of Parliament from government intelligence, the Security Forces and the Police.
Speaker Jayasuriya also gave an explanation about the two persons who were taken into custody in relation to the security threat against Parliament.
“One of the persons who was taken into custody was not an officer attached to the Parliament staff. This person was employed by the sub-contractor for the Road Development Authority that carried out road development and reconstruction activities inside the Parliament premises. This person had a plan of Parliament in his possession when he was taken into custody. His vehicle also had a false bottom.
“Then, I received information from a Police officer the day before yesterday that around 9.00 in the evening, an officer who was attached to the Parliament staff for being involved in these activities, who was arrested immediately.
“I received an updated report today as well. No one else in Parliament has been identified for having been involved in these terrorist activities. I am not able to give a certificate on MPs security but all heads of the Security Foces and the Police have ensured that 95% of the terrorist threat has been eradicated at present,” Speaker Jayasuriya said.
At this instance, Leader of the House Minister Lakshman Kiriella rose to point out that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had informed the pre-Cabinet meeting held yesterday that of the 80 individuals who have been identified to be involved in the recent terror attack, 79 individuals have been arrested.
Opposition MP Wimal Weerawansa who also raised concern on the same matter, quipped that “his fervent wish was that such an attack on Parliament does not take place. However, if by any chance, such an attack were to take place, we wish the Prime Minister would be present in the Chamber as well.”
MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena speaking on the same topic raised his concerns over the road development and reconstruction activities taking place within Parliament premises.
“There was an extensive road reconstruction process that took place over a considerable period. The process went on for months. We were not suspicious then, but now that we think about it, maybe we should look into this manner in a more serious manner. Anyway, if something does happen, I would say, let’s face it head on together,” MP Abeygunawardena said.
In response, Speaker Jayasuriya assured that a bomb disposal squad conducted a thorough search of the Parliament premises prior to its commencement. However, the Speaker said he will look into the concerns raised by MP Abegunawardena.
Parliamentarians’ vehicles to be checked separately - Speaker
Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said in Parliament yesterday that he would make arrangements for the vehicles of Parliamentarians to be checked separately in order to allow them to attend sittings on time.
He made this observation following Opposition Parliamentarian Dayasiri Jayasekara’s explanation as to why he could not come on time raise the question from Minister Rishad Bathiudeen during the round of questions for oral answers. However, during the second round of questions, the Minister tabled the answer and MP Jayasekara demanded continuously to raise the supplementary questions. Yet the Speaker did not allow it saying that it was not the tradition of Parliament.
However, Jayasekara continued to argue despite the Speaker ordering him to sit and the Speaker remarked that it was Jayasekara’s practice to sling mud at others. The Speaker said that Jayasekara would be heard later and then continued the proceedings.
Later, when MP Jayasekara was given the opportunity, he denied the allegation of slinging mud at others. He said that his vehicle was checked in the same queue as all others. He added that he got delayed by a few minutes to raise the question. He also said that Members should be allowed to attend the sittings before the others.
The Speaker said that he would discuss the matter at the Party Leaders’ Meeting and make the relevant arrangements.
Gota signed ACSA agreement with US Govt. - Kiriella
Leader of the House and Public Enterprise, Kandyan Heritage and Kandy Development Minister Lakshman Kiriella said in Parliament that it was Gotabhaya Rajapakjsa who signed the ACSA agreement with US government in 2007.
He also assured that the government has not entered into SOFA agreement and clauses of the same are being considered. He added that Foreign Affairs Minister Thilak Marapana would make a statement on this issue.
He made this observation yesterday when Opposition Parliamentarian Wimal Weerawansa demanded that the government submit copies of the SOFA, ACSA and Millennium Challenge agreements before Parliament. Wimal Weerawansa said that SOFA would give the foreign intruders diplomatic immunity, the ACSA would enable those US forces to camp in Sri Lanka while Millennium Challenge would allow US residents to buy lands in Sri Lanka.
Minister Kiriella said that Wimal Weerawansa should inquire from Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and the then government as to why they entered into such an agreement.
However, UNP Parliamentarian S.M.Marikkar joining the debate on the Strategic Development Projects Act said that whatever their differences, they would not allow foreigners to intrude our internal matters. He added that no body wants Sri Lanka to suffer the same fate as Libya and Syria.
JVP hands over NCM to Speaker
The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) handed over a No Confidence Motion (NCM) against the government to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya last morning (21), on the grounds that the country had lost faith in the government and its ability to ensure national security, following the Easter Sunday terror attack.
The JVP in the NCM had levelled 6 allegations at the government.
1. The government failed to act when there were prior warnings from the intelligence forces regarding a possible terror attack on the Easter Sunday.
2. After the deadly attack which killed more than 250 persons, the government did not take responsibility for it. Instead, they tried to put the blame on other parties. As a result, the entire country fell into chaos.
3. Some Cabinet Ministers had reportedly tried to interfere with investigations about the suspects linked to the terror attack.
4. The government did not take measures to prevent subsequent riots which erupted on 13 May in several areas in the country.
5. The government has failed in bringing back normalcy to the country even after a month since the terror attacks.
6. Due to the government’s inability to stable the country, an environment has been created for foreign countries to interfere with the internal matters of the country.
Subsequent to handing over of the NCM the JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake addressed a media briefing in parliament and said that they hoped the NCM would be taken up for debate next week in Parliament. He noted that the JVP’s NCM against the government would not clash with the Joint Opposition’s (JO) NCM against Minister Rishad Bathiudeen.
“Prior to the NCM against Bathiudeen the JO brought several NCMs. It did not matter if the ones who brought such NCMs are corrupt, the JVP always supported them for the sake of the citizenry. Even Mahinda Rajapaksa avoided voting for some of these NCMs. When the NCM against Bathiudeen is taken up, the JVP will express our opinion regarding the thieves and murderers in the government,” Dissanayake said.
Furthermore, he said that the main respondent for the Easter Sunday terror attack is President Maithripala Sirisena.
“We have to bring in an impeachment against the President. For that, there should be at least 75 signatures of the MPs. At this time it is impossible to collect this number of signatures. That is why we decided to bring an NCM against the whole government,” he noted.
Don’t make irresponsible statements to media, Speaker tells MPs
Speaker Karu Jayasuriya instructed MPs not to make statements to the media in an irresponsible manner.
He made this observation in Parliament yesterday. The Speaker at the commencement of the Parliament sessions also instructed MPs not to make false statements and pass incorrect information to the media.
He added that the baseless news published in the media over the past 26 days have had an adverse effect on the country. “Several measures have been taken to ensure security in the country after the Easter Sunday suicide bombings,” the Speaker said. “Steps have also been taken to ensure the security of Parliamentarians”
Security situation under control- Amaraweera
Sri Lanka has set a world record by controlling Islamic extremist terrorists, Opposition Parliamentarian Mahinda Amaraweera said in Parliament yesterday.
He said that within one month of the Easter Sunday suicide attacks, the situation seemed to have been under control and appreciated the measures taken by the Government in this regard. He said nobody wished a recurrence of such an attack and said if it was the case, it is appriciable that the country has the situation under full control.
He said that all, irrespective of their differences have worked together to control this situation.
He made these observations yesterday joining the debate on the under the Strategic Development Projects Act.
MP Amaraweera further said that during the search operations, the Security Forces seized a haul of imported swords that were imported in containers which were declared to Customs as agricultural equipment. He said that it was a threat to national security.
He said that those people might have imported different types of firearms and drugs in such a manner. He said the government that came to develop the country is imposing immense taxes on the people instead.
Kiriella requests Speaker not to accept NCM against Bathiudeen
Leader of the House and Public Enterprise, Kandyan Heritage and Kandy Development Minister Lakshman Kiriella yesterday told Speaker Karu Jayasuriya in Parliament that he should not accept the No Confidence Motion against Minister Rishad Bathiudeen.
He said that the Opposition has handed over a No Confidence Motion with a date in 2018 against Minister Bathiudeen. He queried as to how the Oopposition moves motions in 2018 against incidents occurred in 2019.
Responding to Leader of the House, Speaker Jayasuriya said that the Opposition Members corrected the date soon after they handed over the No Confidence Motion.
Thereafter, the Leader of the House said that that the dates cannot be changed in such a manner. A No Confidence Motion which was signed by four members was handed over to you. “Whatever the decision you take, I object accepting the No Confidence Motion on behalf of the Government.”
“They corrected it within minutes,” Speaker Jayasuriya said.
PSC to inquire into allegations against Minister Rishad
The Party Leaders yesterday decided to appoint a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to inquire into the allegations against Minister Rishad Bathiudeen before the No Confidence Motion against him is taken up in Parliament.
The decision was taken at the Party Leader’s Meeting held at the Parliamentary Complex precided by the Speaker in the afternoon.
Government members maintained that as the allegations against Minister Rishad Bathiudeen levelled by the Joint Opposition have not yet been proved, they must be first inquired into.
The Select Committee would submit its report within three weeks and then the days for the debate would be decided.
Harsha challenges Opposition Leader on opening road barriers
Economic Reforms and Public Distribution Non Cabinet Minister Harsha de Silva yesterday challenged Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa to open the road barriers on the either side of his residence and open the road for the school students.
He said that Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday went to schools to show the security of the country was safe. He added that he and other government members too went to the schools but they did not accompany the media.
He made these observations yesterday joining the debate on the order under the Strategic Development Projects Act.
He said that Mahinda Rajapaksa had earlier said that he had bullet proof vehicles but the children. He said that hence there was no point in Mahinda Rajapaksa going to visit schools without opening those road barriers.
Sridharan wants probe in to search operation at his residence
TNA MP S.Sridharan yesterday requested Speaker Karu Jayasuriya to look into the search operation conducted at his residence in Jaffna last Saturday as the action violated his Parliamentary privileges.
According to MP Sridharan, his residence was searched while he was away from home to participate in a ceremony held at Vellamullivaikkal which commemorated war victims.
“Only his wife and son were at home when the search operation was conducted,” he pointed out.
“There is a serious terrorist issue in the country. But search operations are conducted in the North, aiming at our houses. When the Security Forces entered my rented house, my wife had informed them that it is my residence. But they had disregarded it and continued the search operation. They have gone through the books and other belongings of my son as well. This is unacceptable. They searched the house for over one and a half hours. I happened to be the only MP whose house was searched following the terrorist attack. I see this cpurse of action as a threat. I would like to know why such a search operation was conducted,” MP Sridharan pointed out.
The MP also observed that he was searched on several occasions during the years 2010-2015.
Meanwhile, MP Sridharan also raised concerns on the two ex-LTTE cadres who were arrested in relation to the death of two Police Constables at a checkpoint in Vavunathiwu in November 29, 2018.
He pointed out that both suspects had been tortured and false information has been included in their statements. MP Sridharan demanded that the two victims who were wrongly arrested be compensated by the government.
MP Sridharan also denounced the wave of communal violence against innocent Muslims in the country.
Arrested Hanzard officer brought to Parliament for further investigations
The Chief Index Officer of the Parliamentary Hanzard Department who is under arrest over allegations of aiding and abetting the terrorist activities of National Thawheed Jamaath leader Zahran Hashim was brought to the Parliamentary complex under tight security yesterday to continue with the investigations.
The suspect Mohammed Naushad Jalaldeen hence was brought to Parliament and the Police continued the investigations for two and half hours in the Hanzard Department.
The documents which were under him and the details of his official computer were opened by him and the Police continued the interrogation. The Police also seized the Hard Disk of his official computer and several of his personal documents as well.
Police recorded a statement from the Editor of the Hanzard Department as well.
Speaker sets the record straight
Speaker Karu Jayasuriya yesterday (21) said in Parliament that he has not requested the Presidential Candidacy of the United National Party (UNP) for the upcoming Presidential Election.
Speaker Jayasuriya pointed this out when he was responding to the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) MP Dayasiri Jayasekara who said that the Speaker is trying to get the Presidential Candidacy these days.
An argument erupted between the Speaker and MP Jayasekara when the latter raised a Point of Order during the Oral Question round saying that the MPs cannot participate in the Parliamentary Sittings on time because of the vehicle checking process at the Parliament entrance.
The Speaker told Jayasekara to wait until the end of the Oral Question Round to raise a Point of Order.
But Jayasekara did not agree and demanded a chance to speak.
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