Parliament
Thursday, February 7, 2019Proposal for a National Govt:Parliament vote today
The proposal for a National Government will be moved for vote in Parliament today despite the objections of Opposition parties, the Party Leaders were informed yesterday.
The attendance of all Government MPs has been made mandatory today. Chief Government Whip and Minister Gayantha Karunathilake had in writing informed all the Government MPs to be present in Parliament all the day and vote in favour of the National Government.
A special meeting of the Parliamentary Business Committee was chaired by Speaker Karu Jayasuriya at the Parliament complex to discuss the Determination under the Constitution pending in the Order Paper.
Sources said the UPFA, JVP, EPDP and TNA members who took part in the meeting expressed their opposition to the proposal. The Opposition members had pointed out that the said proposal has to be in the Order Paper for at least two weeks prior to being moved in the House. However, the Government had told the Party Leaders that it intends to take it up by suspending the Standing Orders.
The Government members had pointed out that it is the practice of the House to give priority to the government business.
A vote on the proposal is scheduled to be held in the afternoon following a full-day debate. The proposal seeks the approval to increase the number of Cabinet Ministers from 30 to 48 and the number of Deputy Ministers from 40 to 45.
President Maithripala Sirisena in his National Independence Day speech objected to establishing a National Government with a party which has only one seat in Parliament.
US logistics hub agreement signed in 1995 - PM
An argument ensued between Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and UPFA MP Vasudeva Nanayakkara in Parliament yesterday over providing logistics support to the US Navy ships operating in the Indian Ocean.
The UPFA MP questioned on an agreement signed between Sri Lanka and the US Embassy in 2018, but the PM divulged that the agreement MP Nanayakkara referred to was actually signed in 1995.
MP Nanayakkara, referring to a newspaper report on the US Navy aircraft carrier USS John C Stennis establishing a logistics hub in Sri Lanka, questioned whether it has got Cabinet approval and as to why Parliament was not informed about it.
“The hub established on a temporary basis provides logistics support to the US navy ships operating in the Indian Ocean. The primary purpose of the operation is to provide mission critical supplies and services to US navy ships transiting through and operating in the Indian Ocean. Does this agreement comply with the Constitution’s provisions on sovereignty and non-aligned foreign policy? Doesn’t it pose a security threat for Sri Lanka?,” asked MP Nanayakkara.
The PM replied that not only the US Navy, but any other country’s Navy too can get logistic supplies from any port or airport of the country.
“The US Navy’s main supplies centre in the Indian Ocean is in Diego Garcia. Other countries temporarily provide those facilities when necessary. The US needs not have large bases because of the modern technology in the world today. The US Gerald Ford aircraft carrier carries more aircrafts than all what Sri Lanka Air force has. It did not come here permanently. We do not permit to bring weapons,” Wickremesinghe remarked.
The PM explained that the Foreign Ministry has received a letter on August 28, 2018 seeking renewal of the 1995 agreement and that it also referred to the facilities given under the Vienna Convention.
“Those facilities had been provided before. However, we have not yet taken a final decision,” said the Premier.
MP Nanayakkara went on to claim that a new agreement was signed in 2018 and as per it the US is exempted from emigration and immigration, Defence or Customs laws within the country when bringing in various goods to Katunayake Airport. “Who gave this authority?” he asked.
“From where did you learn that? With reference to what document you made that claim?” the PM questioned back.
“I got it from the Foreign Ministry,” MP Nanayakkara replied.
“It was during your government’s time that the Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement was signed. All this started as a result of that. Do you know what that agreement is?” the PM said. “I asked about the 2018 agreement. I found it and it is with me now. It has the Foreign Ministry’s letterhead. I will pass it to you,” MP Nanayakkara retorted also adding that the agreement further allows the US military officers to roam freely in the county without subjecting to local laws.
“Tell us what the agreement you were referring to. Expose it,” replied the PM.
The PM got the document from MP Nanayakkara and divulged that the date mentioned in that document was May 16, 1995. The PM read aloud the content in the document to dispel any doubts.
