Emergency debate a precursor to next parliament

The battle lines drawn between the government and the opposition in the general election campaign were last Tuesday (9) brought before parliament when it was re-convened to extend the Emergency Regulations by another month.

Due to the intense campaigning for the general election, many members from both the governing party and the opposition were not present in parliament on the 9th. The opposition parties as always were the least represented that day.

The parliament that was dissolved in February was reconvened to extend Emergency.

While the governing party and its allies voted for the extension of the regulations, all opposition political parties voted against in unison.

Interestingly, it was the broad opposition coalition that voted against the extension of Emergency.

Key among those who opposed was the JVP who initially voted in favor of the regulations since its declaration in 2005.

The vote on emergency was also indicative of things to come in the next parliament after the elections. It was indicative that the opposition forces regardless of divergent policies could still act together one certain issues.

The extension of Emergency Regulations was viewed with some suspicion by the opposition ranks.

The main question posed by the opposition ranks during the Emergency debate was the need for the extension given the end of the war. The government on the other hand maintained the importance of the regulations claiming although terrorism has been eliminated, forces that backed terrorism were still in action and needed to be
crushed.

Moving the motion to extend Emergency, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake said there were some
who reported information according to the agendas of those against the state and there were others who engaged in activities which affected the sovereignty of the country.

He noted that it was essential to put a stop to all such activities to ensure the safety of the people.

Wickremanayake said there were certain forces who were working towards breaking the unitary status of Sri Lanka without considering that it is an independent state.

He therefore said pro LTTE forces still existed today though the organization was crushed militarily.

“We still hear the growling of tigers though they are no more,” he said.

“The government accepts the fact that it has to work closely with the world but one must understand that Sri Lanka is not a colony of a superpower,” he added.

Given the objections raised by opposition parties before parliament commenced session on the 9th, the Premier observed that the most unfortunate thing was the absence of a common platform to face the common issues faced by the country. “Those who are against the state are organizing themselves while the people of this country are divided without working as a single community,” Wickremanayake said.

However, the opposition legislators accused the government of suing Emergency Regulations to suppress the media and other dissenting voices.

Chief Opposition Whip Joseph Michael Perera charged that the Emergency was being used by the government for many purposes apart from safeguarding national security.

He also noted that the regulations were being used by the government to violate laws in the country, especially during election time.

Perera pointed out that the governing party supporters have found immunity in Emergency Regulations to violate election laws.

He also drew attention to the security provided to opposition parliamentarians, which was even taken before the Supreme Court.

Perera observed that since parliament was once again in session, the IGP has to be informed to provide security to all legislators.

Firebrand JVP parliamentarian Sunil Handunnetti also charged that the government has mademany undemocratic acts under the guise of Emergency Regulations.

He questioned as to why there was a need for Emergency Regulations when the war has been over for eight months.

He charged that the government declared eight detention centers under the Emergency Regulations. “Why is there a need for detention centers when the war is over?” he queried.

Handunnetti also said the extension of Emergency would be a carte blanch for thugs associated with the government to carry out attacks against opposition members, as the police have so far remained silent on complaints lodged about such attacks.

However, following the debate that lasted from 9.30 a.m. till 1 p.m., Emergency was extended with 93 votes being cast in favor and 24 against.

By Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema