Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said the Parliament on Tuesday (May 18) that the victory achieved by the humanitarian operation at the expense of thousands of lives, will never be betrayed for any reason. The Premier said the victory over terrorism is not an achievement of only one group but of the whole nation.
Making a statement in Parliament on May 18, the day country marked the 12 th National War Heroes Commemoration, Premier Rajapaksa said, “Today marks the twelfth year since we wiped out 30 years of terrorism from this earth. I remember very well on May 18, 2009 how the people of the whole country took to the streets carrying the National Flag to express their happiness.
“That victory was not a victory achieved by only one part of the country. We released more than 400,000 hostages held by the terrorists as human shields. We have ended the era in which our people in the North and East were displaced as refugees, having to leave their homes, packing their belongings and trying to survive on their own.
“We gave the people of the East, who had lived in refugee camps for about 20 years, the opportunity to return to their homes and live with dignity. There were villages in the North and East where people lived in hiding thinking that at some point, they would be shot and their children would be picked up and dashed to death on the ground.
“Those people who were in border villages lived in fear of death constantly. Some areas were completely inaccessible due to landmines. Roadblocks, high security zones were everywhere. Today is the glorious day when all these were eradicated from this country and a free country was established, all free from the fear of death”.
“This victory belongs to the people of the North and the East as they can now build a country without dragging their daughters and sons into war. This victory belongs to all religions as there are no bombs exploding near the Sri Maha Bodhi, the Temple of the Tooth Relic, the Kattankudy Church and the Madhu Church.
“This victory belongs to all the people as the era of guarding school gates for their children is over. Not only that, but this victory is a great conquest for this House. The LTTE terrorists were the first to kill political representatives. The greatest war heroes were the children of the common people of this country. We turned village guards into civil security officers.
“We turned the soldiers into war heroes. Separate hospitals were built for them. Separate schools were built. They were deployed in the Diplomatic service, appointed to high posts in the public service. Wages, allowances, compensation all improved their status.”
Ceremony at the National War Heroes’ Monument
The memory of War Heroes of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police and the Civil Security Department who sacrificed their lives for the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence was commemorated with floral tributes on Wednesday (May 19) at the 12th National War Heroes’ Day ceremony, at the Battaramulla National War Heroes’ Monument (Jathika Ranaviru Smarakaya).
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa as Commander-in-Chief of the Security Forces, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, dignitaries and war veterans took part. Relatives of all fallen heroes were also present.
This year’s National War Heroes’ Day commemoration ceremony, organised by the Rana Viru Seva Authority (RVSA) adhering to strict health guidelines, began at 4 p.m. on Wednesday with the arrival of the President.
War Heroes of the Army (23,962), Navy (1,160), Air Force (443), together with 2,598 Policemen and 456 Civil Security Department personnel, a total of 28,619 who had made the supreme sacrifice in the battle against LTTE terrorism before May 2009 were respectfully remembered by all peace-loving people in Sri Lanka for their gallantry, invaluable and selfless dedication at the ceremony.
The Cabinet at a special meeting held on Tuesday (May 18) decided to present amendments to the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill as per the Supreme Court determination. Meanwhile, the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Urban Development and Housing chaired by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa which met at the Parliament complex on Tuesday approved the presentation of the Colombo Port City Bill in Parliament with amendments.Premier Rajapaksa said that it was appropriate to act in accordance with the determination of the Supreme Court regarding the Port City Bill.
Education Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris said the Parliament on Tuesday (May 18) if all the amendments proposed by the Supreme Court are included in the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill at the Committee Stage, it is clearly mentioned in the court verdict that the Bill could be passed by a simple majority.
Prof. Peiris said that there is a misconception regarding the SC determination read out by the Speaker. The Minister said that certain statements made about a two-thirds majority and a referendum to pass the Bill are false. He clarified that the Government agrees with all the Supreme Court determinations and amendments on the Port City Bill so that it could be passed with a simple majority in Parliament.
Covid-19 funds
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa criticised the Government for not taking swift measures to minimise the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country. Raising a question under Standing Order 27/2 in Parliament on Tuesday (May 18) Premadasa questioned the Government if it is possible to disclose details on managing the funds related to the Covid-19 pandemic in the country.
The Opposition Leader said, “The Covid-19 pandemic in the country is rapidly re-emerging. Although the Government has delayed plans or made some efforts to curb this situation by implementing travel restrictions and vaccination programs, it has not seen clear success. Premadasa said if PCR tests were performed to diagnose Covid-19 patients, it is reported that the delay in laboratory reports reveals that the number of true corona infections is not revealed daily.
With the increase in the number of Covid-19 patients in the country, there is a serious risk that the health sector will lose control over this situation. Therefore, the Government should pay attention to this and take appropriate action”.
Defence Ministry shifts
The Defence Ministry which shifted to the newly constructed Defence Headquarters Complex in Sri Jayewardenepura, Kotte commenced work at the auspicious time on Tuesday (May 18) coinciding with the 12th anniversary of the victory over terrorism. Defence Secretary Gen. (Retd.) Kamal Gunaratne opened the building complex amid the blessings of the Maha Sanga.
Gen. Gunaratne presented the documents to implement the recent Cabinet decision to provide for lifetime, the salary and allowances paid to war hero dependents, to the Tri- Forces Commanders and the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
UNP welcomes SC determination
The United National Party welcomed the Supreme Court determination with regard to the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill. Speaking to the media, UNP Chairman Vajira Abeywardena said that the UNP was the only political party to challenge the legislation in the Supreme Court.
He said, “The UNP believed that this Bill had weakened the sovereignty of Parliament as the Port City Commission would have not been answerable either to Parliament or the Cabinet of Ministers. Therefore, the amendments proposed by the Supreme Court have addressed these concerns and the Commission is again answerable to Parliament.”
Abeywardena said that it was the UNP’s legal team that ensured that the policy of “One Country, One Law” was applicable to Sri Lanka. He said “According to the Port City Bill, Sri Lankans would have been treated as second class citizens when visiting the Port City.
We would have to get permission when entering the region. We would have been subject to laws which were enacted by a Commission composed of unelected officials. We have ensured that this will not happen. Any laws that will be in effect in the Port City will have to be approved by Parliament.”
Allowed to attend Parliament
Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Rishad Bathiudeen and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Premalal Jayasekera were present in Parliament on Tuesday (May 18). Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana announced on May 16 that under the Parliament Privileges Act, the two MPs will be allowed to attend Parliamentary sessions if they wish to. Sergeant-at-Arms Narendra Fernando had informed the Director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to take measures to escort MP Bathiudeen to Parliament if he wished to attend Parliament sittings. Wanni District MP Bathiudeen is under interrogation on detention orders having been arrested over his alleged links with the perpetrators of the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.
The Sergeant-at-Arms had also informed the Commissioner-General of Prisons to make arrangements for Ratnapura district MP Premalal Jayasekara to attend Parliament. Accordingly, the two MPs arrived in Parliament on May 18 to participate in Parliamentary sittings.
Debate
The two-day debate on the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill was held in Parliament on Wednesday (May 19) and Thursday (May 20).
Making a statement to Parliament, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said the Government expects to bring in an amendment that at least 75 percent of the job opportunities at the Colombo Port City should be reserved for Sri Lankans.
Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana on Tuesday (May 18) announced the Supreme Court’s determination on the Colombo Port City Bill to Parliament.
The Supreme Court had found that several clauses of the Bill were inconsistent with the Constitution. However, these clauses can either be amended or passed in the Parliament with a special majority or in a referendum, the Supreme Court determined.
The Supreme Court in its 62-page determination on the Bill had also included how the concerning clauses can be amended. It was later announced that the Government has agreed with all determinations and amendments of the Supreme Court with regard to the Colombo Port City Bill.
