(UTV|COLOMBO) – The UPFA yesterday condemned the move by the Government to open the proceedings of the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on Easter Sunday attacks to the media.
Addressing a media conference at the SLFP Party office, UPFA Parliamentarian Nimal Siripala de Silva said that this is the first time that sensitive intelligence information has been revealed to the world via the media.
“No other country reveals its intelligence information in this manner,” he said. “Intelligence Officers also have a responsibility not to reveal any information which could have a negative impact on the country’s national security. But unfortunately, sometimes the officers too have to reveal some secret information to prove that they are correct,” the Minister said.
He further said that Parliament has a right to set up a select committee to look into the Easter Sunday attacks to determine if any MP or Minister was associated with the terror group which carried out the attack. If they really want to summon the Intelligence Chief to testify before the Select Committee, it should be done without opening the proceedings to the media.
MP Duminda Dissanayake said under the concept of ‘One Country – One Law,’ discussions are currently underway with the relevant authorities with regard to the withdrawal of the Halal certification.
“The Halal certification was granted under our regime in 2006. After realizing the harmful effect of what we did in the past, now we are trying to correct that mistake,” Dissanayake said.
The Minister further said that a person having two or more identity cards or birth certificates is a huge threat to national security.A large number people had been taken into custody for possessing two or more IDs and passports during the post Easter Sunday attack raids.
“As a result of struggles for over a decade, we have been able to direct the relevant authorities to issue birth certificates and identity cards under one register number in order to prevent such malpractices. This would come into practice within the next two weeks,” he added.
Meanwhile, Parliamentarian Mahinda Amaraweera alleged that information has already been received with regard to financial malpractices.
MP Amaraweera further said that as MPs representing the Opposition, we stay alert regarding what the government does and will take necessary measures to prevent fraud, corruption and the selling of public property. Commenting on the statement made by Minister Lakshman Kiriella claiming that the government will distribute Samurdhi allowances to 6,000 UNP supporters, MP Amaraweera said that his statement is completely contrary to the policy of the Yahapalana government and will take legal action against him.
He also condemned the decision taken by the government to allocate Rs.300 million for the event organized to distribute grants to new Samurdhi beneficiaries.
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