Sri Lanka, South Asia’s centre for drug trade
By Skandha Gunasekara and Mirudhula Thambiah-May 21, 2014
The United National Party (UNP) backed No-Confidence Motion against the government was taken up for discussion yesterday in Parliament by UNP MP and former Speaker, Joseph Michael Perera.
Perera said, the basis behind the motion was that Sri Lanka was turning into a focal point for the distribution of narcotics such as heroin to the rest of South Asia.
He said police investigations conducted by the intelligence services in Afghanistan, Pakistan and India have revealed that heroin produced in Afghanistan is brought to Pakistan and India and then directed to Sri Lanka, making it the focal point for distribution. As a result, he said, the UNP believes the government has lost its ability to secure and promote the wellbeing of its citizens. UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake, who seconded the motion, alleged that Kumaran Pathmanathan (KP), wanted by Interpol for the assassination of Indian Premier Rajiv Gandhi and reported to be involved in drug smuggling, is residing in Sri Lanka under the government’s protection.
He also said KP is being used by the government, allegedly as the main go-between to smuggle narcotics into the country.
At this point, Chief Government Whip Dinesh Gunawardena objected, saying that certain countries which have friendly relations with Sri Lanka, such as Afghanistan, Pakistan and India were mentioned during the motion and that friendly countries should not be spoken of in an unfriendly or hostile manner.
In response, Karunanayake said a measure Sri Lanka can take to strengthen its ties with countries such as India would be to hand over international criminal Pathmanathan to the Indian authorities.
Leader of the House, Nimal Siripala de Silva, who spoke next during yesterday’s debate said the Opposition is attempting to embarrass the government by insulting the motherland.
"Sri Lanka does not produce heroin. So, on what basis is the Opposition alleging that Sri Lanka is the focal point for drug distribution in South Asia? The Opposition is attempting to sling mud at the government by insulting our motherland."
Minister of National Languages and Social Integration, Vasudeva Nanayakkara, who also spoke at the debate said the government is not against the motion to curtail the drug trade in Sri Lanka.
"We are not against curtailing the drug trade in Sri Lanka. We welcome the motion to eradicate this illegal trade. However, we are against the fact that the motion seeks to show no-confidence in the government," said Nanayakkara.
He said that between 2012 and 2013 drug raids carried out in the country increased by 16%. The minister further said among SAARC countries, Sri Lanka’s Narcotics Bureau is the leading organization that is fighting the illegal drugs trade.
JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake (MP) in his speech said the JVP supported the no-confidence motion and that they would vote for the motion.
TNA MP Mavai Senathirajah said that his party too would support the motion against the government adding that other than the drug trafficking issue, matters such as land and problems faced in the North should also be spoken about during the debate.
The debate is to continue today where a vote on the no-confidence motion would be taken.
By Skandha Gunasekara and Mirudhula Thambiah-May 21, 2014
The United National Party (UNP) backed No-Confidence Motion against the government was taken up for discussion yesterday in Parliament by UNP MP and former Speaker, Joseph Michael Perera.
Perera said, the basis behind the motion was that Sri Lanka was turning into a focal point for the distribution of narcotics such as heroin to the rest of South Asia.
He said police investigations conducted by the intelligence services in Afghanistan, Pakistan and India have revealed that heroin produced in Afghanistan is brought to Pakistan and India and then directed to Sri Lanka, making it the focal point for distribution. As a result, he said, the UNP believes the government has lost its ability to secure and promote the wellbeing of its citizens. UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake, who seconded the motion, alleged that Kumaran Pathmanathan (KP), wanted by Interpol for the assassination of Indian Premier Rajiv Gandhi and reported to be involved in drug smuggling, is residing in Sri Lanka under the government’s protection.
He also said KP is being used by the government, allegedly as the main go-between to smuggle narcotics into the country.
At this point, Chief Government Whip Dinesh Gunawardena objected, saying that certain countries which have friendly relations with Sri Lanka, such as Afghanistan, Pakistan and India were mentioned during the motion and that friendly countries should not be spoken of in an unfriendly or hostile manner.
In response, Karunanayake said a measure Sri Lanka can take to strengthen its ties with countries such as India would be to hand over international criminal Pathmanathan to the Indian authorities.
Leader of the House, Nimal Siripala de Silva, who spoke next during yesterday’s debate said the Opposition is attempting to embarrass the government by insulting the motherland.
"Sri Lanka does not produce heroin. So, on what basis is the Opposition alleging that Sri Lanka is the focal point for drug distribution in South Asia? The Opposition is attempting to sling mud at the government by insulting our motherland."
Minister of National Languages and Social Integration, Vasudeva Nanayakkara, who also spoke at the debate said the government is not against the motion to curtail the drug trade in Sri Lanka.
"We are not against curtailing the drug trade in Sri Lanka. We welcome the motion to eradicate this illegal trade. However, we are against the fact that the motion seeks to show no-confidence in the government," said Nanayakkara.
He said that between 2012 and 2013 drug raids carried out in the country increased by 16%. The minister further said among SAARC countries, Sri Lanka’s Narcotics Bureau is the leading organization that is fighting the illegal drugs trade.
JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake (MP) in his speech said the JVP supported the no-confidence motion and that they would vote for the motion.
TNA MP Mavai Senathirajah said that his party too would support the motion against the government adding that other than the drug trafficking issue, matters such as land and problems faced in the North should also be spoken about during the debate.
The debate is to continue today where a vote on the no-confidence motion would be taken.
