“The likes of Mr Wijedasa Rajapaksa made great sacrifices and brought in someone with such a dark past. Mr Wijedasa is still a Member of Parliament for the party led by Mahinda Rajapaksa. He voted in favour of the 20th Amendment. However, after he expressed his opinion, the President’s behavior was to scold him with rage, hatred and shivering with anger, using abusive language improper of a state leader. If the President has come to the situation of threatening a Member of Parliament, what about the security of ordinary citizens? We know that Wijedasa Rajapaksa was not the first person to be threatened after the President came to power. If a president scolds a Member of Parliament over a statement, where is that country going to?” asked the Leader of the JVP Anura Dissanayake.
He was addressing a media briefing at the JVP head office at Pelawatta today afternoon (16th).
Central Committee Member of the JVP Dr Nalinda Jayatissa was also present at the media briefing. Speaking further, JVP Leader Anura Dissanayake stated, “We have already pointed out that the Commission for the Development of the Port City is planned to be implemented in violation of the Constitution of our country and several laws in force in our country. The Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill does not include 07 important bills, including the Urban Council Ordinance, the Board of Investment Act and the Strategic Development Act. Besides, it does not include the Inland Revenue Act, the VAT Act, several Finance Acts and 14 other Acts. It has been proposed to grant full or partial release of these Acts in the Colombo Port City.
It has also been made an area that does not belong to any Urban Council, Provincial Council, or Colombo District. Representatives elected by the people govern any area in our country. However, the 1115 acres belonging to the port city will not be under any institution elected by the people. It gives power to a group of not less than 05 and not more than 07 persons appointed by the President. If a Sri Lankan enters the area and returns with an item, tax law has been proposed, as in the case of shipments from one country to another. The bill includes a recommendation that salaries in this area be paid in foreign currencies (mostly in yuan).
There is also a proposal to go to an international arbitral tribunal to resolve any dispute with the Commission or between the employer and the employee. Therefore, this Commission will be created as a unique area not included in our territory. More than 80% of the land will be owned by a Chinese company called China Harbour. American newspapers had reported that this company had given money to the election campaigns of various politicians in our country. I had given a detailed account in Parliament of who gave this money, when it was given, the check numbers given etc. This Economic Commission is being set up at the behest of the China Harbour Company but not in line with the government’s economic strategy. It is only in line with China’s international political and economic interests. Through this, the President and his government are giving life to a project related to China’s geopolitical strategy.
Today there are various political conflicts between the world powers. It is no secret that there is a political conflict between China and India. Aligning with a party would attract the indignation of the other. The term of office of the President elected by the people and the term of office of Parliament is 05 years. They are the custodians of this country, not the owners. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his government should also understand that there is no mandate to build such a Chinese state. This country belongs to all of us, irrespective of North, South, Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, or rich or poor. If decisive decisions are to be taken regarding the country, the people’s approval must be obtained. Therefore, we went to the Supreme Court and asked for a decision that this Commission Act should be approved by a 2/3rd majority in Parliament and a referendum.
The President or his government has no right to divide our country into pieces, like cutting a cake on a table. The government does not follow a formal system except by using force and committing various types of frauds. According to the 20th Amendment, a bill should be presented to Parliament and go to court within a week. Before the 20th Amendment, there was a period of two weeks. The bill was introduced on Thursday the 8th. The only remaining working day was Friday the 9th. The only thing left to do was to file a constitutional lawsuit on Thursday the 15th. Saturday, Sunday and Monday were public holidays. Sinhala and Tamil New Year fell on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. A decisive bill on the country was introduced in Parliament during the five-day long recess. Action was taken to block the opportunity for citizens to seek the Supreme Court’s opinion in this regard.
Even lawyers who went to the villages for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year had to return to Colombo and file the case despite the New Year holidays. The first tactic of the government was to get this passed without allowing it to go to the Supreme Court. The next tactic is threat and intimidation. A statement made by MP Wijedasa Rajapaksa at a media briefing held at the Abhayarama Temple yesterday (15th) under the chairmanship of Ven.Muruththetuwe Ananda Thero shows this. In Mr Wijedasa’s own words, “He scolded with rage, hatred and shivering with anger unbecoming of a state leader using unbecoming language.” We do not agree with Mr Wijedasa Rajapaksa’s politics. Mr Wijedasa Rajapaksa played a major role in bringing this President to power. This is not a new discussion about the intimidation and threats of the current President. During his tenure as Secretary of Defense, he was accused of fraud and corruption. The case was being heard in court. He faces charges of kidnapping, white vans, and some murder.
Mr. Wijedasa Rajapaksa made a great sacrifice and brought in someone with such a dark past. Mr Wijedasa is still a Member of Parliament for the party led by Mahinda Rajapaksa. He voted in favour of the 20th Amendment. After he expressed his opinion, the President’s behaviour was to scold him with rage, hatred and anger. The likes of Mr Wijedasa Rajapaksa made great sacrifices and brought in someone with such a dark past. Mr Wijedasa is still a Member of Parliament for the party led by Mahinda Rajapaksa. He voted in favour of the 20th Amendment. However, after he expressed his opinion, the President’s behavior was to scold him with rage, hatred and shivering with anger unbecoming of a state leader using unbecoming language. If the President has come to the situation of threatening a Member of Parliament, what about the security of ordinary citizens? We know that Wijedasa Rajapaksa was not the first person to be threatened after the President came to power. If a president scolds a Member of Parliament over a statement, where is that country going to?
He has the right to comment on any statement. He could have answered at the President’s weekly press conference’ conversation with the village’. Or the Presidential Media Unit, which is paid with public funds, can make submissions. Or there is the Government Information Department. As the President, there are many such avenues to respond to the submissions of a Member of Parliament or a citizen. We do not know whether he was stimulated by the statement made by a minister that he was going to be like Hitler. This attempt by the President and his government to bring about such a regime of intimidation and threats must be stopped. We are raising a question about the country.
You may recall that this political camp was created with great fanfare about patriotism. They appeared to be a camp against selling resources. They appeared as a camp against imperialism, as a camp to build a national economy. The mandate they received was not a mandate towards the liberalization of the economy. There is a mandate behind Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, knowingly or unknowingly, by mistake or being deceived. They are preparing to implement projects that do not conform to the mandate given to them. Although we do not agree, there are two bills passed to attract foreign investment. They are the Board of Investment Act and the Strategic Development Act. During the construction of the Shangri-La Hotel, it was named as a strategic development project and some tax concessions were given for up to 43 years. When James Packer tried to bring in the gambling business, such tax breaks were proposed. After Ranil Wickremesinghe sold the Hambantota port, a proposal was brought to Parliament to grant tax relief under the Strategic Development Act. We opposed that bill.
But the Strategic Development Act is a bill that can provide huge tax relief. The Board of Investment is there to expedite the monitoring and directing of such projects. If there is a project coming to Port City, why not go through the BOI? If tax relief is to be given to those projects, why can’t it be approved by Parliament through the Strategic Development Act? Why appoint a special commission only for that region? This is a bill to make Sri Lanka a victim of China’s international political strategy. That is why we repeatedly say that this should not be approved without a referendum. We hope that the Supreme Court will study the sovereignty of our country, the future of the country, the Constitution, the financial laws and give a proper decision.”
