Parliament

History made in House by the Diyawannawa
By Shelani Perera
Wednesday December 17, will go down in the history books of parliament, after the PA proposed the token cut on the votes of the Defence, Interior and Mass Communication - all portfolios held by President Chandrika Kumaratunga. The much looked forward to votes of these three key ministries was taken up for debate in the House on Wednesday.

Ironically the customary Rupees 10 cut on the Media Ministry was proposed by former Media Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa. The legislators in the Opposition gave a patient hearing to their 'own' speaker outlining the dire need for a free media policy.

Minister Hemakumar Nanayakkara sarcastically thanked the former Media Minister for moving the cut on the media ministry adding," The MP has done some thing unusual by moving the Rupees 10 cut on a ministry which is under the President."

The Minister queried whether there was a real change in the media after the take over.
He charged that the appointment of heads to the relevant ministries were mere political appointees.

Education Minister Karunasena Kodituwakku expressing the government's dissatisfaction over the takeover of the Ministries said it was unconstitutional and that the President had done it for her personal gain. He also recalled that one of her own party members was one of her first victims.

"Minister Imthiaz was not the first victim. It was former Media Minister the late Dharmasiri Senanayake who was the first. Therefore it is not surprising that the President did such a thing to Minister Imthiaz," Mr. Kodituwakku said.

Leader of the House W. J. M. Lokubandara had the rare task of winding up the debate of three ministries whose portfolios were being held by the President - the leader of the opposition party.

When TNA MP, K. Sivajilingam asked whether President Kumaratunga had given him permission to wind up the debate, Minister Lokubandara said that she had informed the Prime Minister in writing following it up with a telephone call. The comment drew applause from government party members.

''Having contested the elections under the elephant symbol , having contested against the symbol of the chair, now I have to speak for a ministry which is under the Head of the State. I believe that once the vote is passed she will realise and hand over the Media Ministry back to Minister Imthiaz. After all she is the Head of State, Leader of a political party, and she is under political pressure," remarked the minister.

The Media Ministry vote was passed without a division, creating yet another landmark in the House. The Rupees 10 cut on the Vote on Defence and Interior, was moved by Badulla District MP Nimal Siripala de Silva and Ratnapura District MP John Seneviratne respectively.

MP Nimal Siripala de Silva justifying the Presidents action said the main reason for the takeover was the security situation in the country and not personal gain. "That is why the President held meetings with the Prime Minister to proceed with the peace process. The President has extended all cooperation towards the Peace process," he said.

Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene opened his speech by noting that a new tradition had emerged within the House. He said the takeover was not a Supreme Court decision but one to gain political mileage. "If the vote is not passed there will be no money for the Armed Forces. The people gave us a mandate not to let the country go to pieces. That is why we want the Defence Ministry.

The President wanted the Manirasakulam camp removed but now that the Defence Ministry is under her does she have powers to remove it? Minister of Lands Rajitha Senanrathne charged that the security situation in the country had not changed since the take over. Citing an increase in the crime rate with statistics, the minister accused the President of acting outside the constitution.

Leader of the House dismissed claims by PA legislators that the President acted according to the constitution. The Minister said that the Supreme Court had not stated that the President had the power to takeover the Ministry of Defence. "It was only a notion," he said.

There was a rare show of solidarity in the House when TNA member R. Sampandan called for a division on the Defence vote. When the vote was taken the Opposition and Government legislators amidst cheering from either side stood up for the count.

The vote was passed 132 for and 12 members against with a majority of 120 votes.
MP John Seneviratne who moved the Rs 10 cut on the vote of the Interior Ministry levelled allegations against the government over the raid on the Army Safe House at Athurugirya.

He said the government was unable to bring the culprits to justice. Charging that there was a breakdown of law in the Police Department he said certain officers were involved in illegal activities.

It was a repeat performance when TNA MP R Sampandan asked for a division on the Interior Ministry vote. The Opposition and the Government voted . The vote was passed by a majority of 125. Legislators in the government and the Opposition were in high spirits after joining to vote for the Defence and Interior Minister.

JVP Parliamentarian Wimal Weerawansa even commented that if it was so easy to pass the votes on these ministries the President would have taken over 10 ministries. However the spirit of camaraderie was short lived. There were more surprises, when Parliament resumed the next day to conclude the third reading of the UNF budget.

The vote for the Finance Ministry saw the tempers of Mahindananda Althugamage and Finance Minister K. N. Choksy flaring. Amidst heated arguments and accusations the budget was passed by 114 to 82.

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