| by Karu
Jayasuriya
UNP Member of
Parliament Gampaha District
( October 29,
2012, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) We love our country. We also have feelings towards the
country. If there is harm to the future
of the country, progress of the country, to the people and the future
generations, we are compelled to rise against it.
 |
Public service and the police have become the prey of the politicians. All appointments and promotions are given on political loyalties. Rallies and demonstrations are being attacked. There is no democracy or transparency in the present administration.
We were able to win the independence in
1948, as the leaders including Rt. Hon.
D.S. Senanayake, representing all communities consisting of Sinhalese, Tamils,
Muslims and Malays marched forward unitedly for the benefit of the country. Today, in other countries where people shed
blood and sacrifices lives for liberation, our enlightened leaders were able to
come to an agreement and a single point of view regarding independence. Today we enjoy the fruit of this unity.
A great threat is looming at democracy and
human rights which we won in the past.
We foresee the signs of dangerous times ahead. We should not stay silent any longer.
Today limitless powers are surrounded among
one person, one family or a small group of individuals through the 18th
Amendment, legislature is completely subjected to the authority of the
Executive. We witness the ill effects of
the above.
Free media is facing a great threat in the
guise of murder of the editors, subjecting media personnel to threats and
harassment.
Public service and the police have become
the prey of the politicians. All appointments and promotions are given on
political loyalties. Rallies and
demonstrations are being attacked. There
is no democracy or transparency in the present administration.
When the legislature is controlled by the
Executive, democracy is safeguarded by the Judiciary. Trust placed by the public on the Attorney
General’s Department and the Judiciary was shaken recently due to various
actions taken by the Government. Also,
there was political interference to the Judiciary, unprecedented in the recent
history. It is apparent that these are
planned acts.
Mannar Magistrate Court was attacked in
last July, Magistrate was threatened. Assault on Judge Manjula Thilakaratne,
Secretary of the Judicial Services Commission by goons in September is a
despicable act, committed in recent history of the Judiciary. Those who are responsible are still not in
police custody.
Secretary of the Judicial Services
Commission explained to the public as directed by the Chief Justice and Senior
Judges about the influence from the powers above. I salute the self reliance of the
Secretary. After this incident false
accusations and character assassinations were carried out against the Chief
Justice and the Secretary of the Judicial Services Commission.
Present Crisis started since the Government
could not obtain the judgment expected on the Draft of the Divi Naguma Bill.
When 90 billion rupees come under the
control of a Minister without the supervision of the Provincial Council and
scrutiny of the Auditor General the public realized the gravity of it.
President’s Fund too is subjected to the
scrutiny of the Auditor General. In a
democratic country it is harmful to bring such a large amount of money under
the control of a minister, without transparency.
We do not intend to discuss about the DIvi
Naguma Bill, as it is subjected to scrutiny of the Judiciary. The Constitution and the Provincial Councils
are in a real crisis due to this.
The judgment on this bill is due in two
days on the 31st. Therefore there are
threats and character assassinations aimed at the judiciary in an unprecedented
scale. Such regrettable incidents have
never been reported in the history of the judiciary which started in 1802.
We have no personal friendship with Mrs.
Shirani Bandaranayake, the Chief Justice or Mr. Manjula Thilakaratne, Secretary
Judicial Services Commisson. But we have
to come forward to safeguard democracy and the independent judiciary. A country moves towards dictatorship when the
three columns, the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary are fallen.
Intimidatory acts of the Government are
increasing. Signs of dictatorship are
quite visible.
Although there is peace in the country
military expenditure has increased.
Military mentality is breeding in the country. There are reports regarding appointing
Government agents as Brigadiers, notwithstanding the appointment of school
principals as Colonels. There are
reports saying that the designation of the Inspector General of Police is to be
changed and to create a position of Commissioner General of Police. This forebodes a military government.
Libelous papers are being circulated
against the Secretary of the Judicial Services Commission with no name or
address appearing on these papers, but signed by a person who identifies
himself as a patriot. We are saddened to
note the degree of deterioration of the morality of our country.
In order to bring upon influence on the
Chief Justice, charges have been framed against her husband and action is being
taken on the charges. If an offence has
been committed it should be punished.
But in this instance what is taking place even before an investigation
is conducted is nothing but an attempt to influence the Chief Justice. Many misdeeds were reported in the Employees
Provident Fund in the same manner as the National Savings Bank. Hence, all institutions should be
investigated.
It was reported that during the past 48-72
hours signatures have been obtained on blank sheets in order to bring an
impeachment motion against the Chief Justice.
In terms of Section 107 of the Constitution,
an impeachment of this nature could be moved when there is misconduct or
inability. We do not see any such
misconduct or inability.
We are amazed to see this behavior of a
responsible government. If libelous
documents are used to remove the Head of Governments, those who are despised by
the Government we consider this as deterioration in the country.
We do not select individuals and protect
them. However, if the Chief Justice and
the Secretary of the Judicial Services Commission are subjected to pressure or
revenge, as a result of performing duties according to their conscience, we
fearlessly appear against it. We want to
die in a democratic country not in a country where dictatorship reigns. Therefore in the name of democracy we appeal
to honourable members of the Government not to let this deterioration
happen. It is the duty of all of us in
the opposition to keep aside all our differences and protect democracy of our
country for future generations.
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