By Shamindra Ferdinando

Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) lawmaker Mujibur Rahman yesterday (17) questioned the rationale behind Public Security Minister Rear Admiral (Retd.) Sarath Weerasekera’s announcement of banning the burqa and niqab.

This outburst came amidst former UNP Justice Minister Wijeyadasa  Rajapakse again, publicly this week, repeating the allegation that MP Rahman, too, was behind extremist Islamists.

Rahman said that the government owed an explanation regarding the handling of the issue at hand. “Have you ever heard of a Minister declaring to the media contents of a Cabinet paper before it is taken up?”, the former UNP MP asked.

Lawmaker Rahman said that the government should make its position clear on the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) report on 2019 Easter Sunday attacks clear.

As regards the P CoI recommendation pertaining to the banning of burqa and niqab, the Public Security Minister declared his decision to immediately implement it whereas Foreign Secretary Admiral (Retd.) Jayanath Colombage said the government was yet to take a decision with his eye on Geneva.

MP Rahman said that SLPP Chairman and Education Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris recent publicly declaring they had ly declared that the government would implement all P CoI recommendations except the banning of Bodu Bala Sena (BBS). Prof. Peiris’ utterance echoed Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, who  publicly stated that they had no interest in banning any Buddhist organisation like the BBS.

The former Colombo District UNP MP Rahman asked whether Prof. Peiris was speaking on behalf of the SLPP or the government. The minister should explain how the controversial decision was made to ignore P CoI recommendations in respect of the BBS.

Rahman said that it was the prerogative of the Attorney General to take action on the basis of P CoI recommendations. The AG was not bound by those recommendations, the MP said, urging the government to address the post-Easter Sunday issues in a reasonable manner.

The Foreign Secretary’s response to Public Security Minister’s public declaration of burqa and niqab ban and the sudden meeting Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena had with Pakistan High Commissioner in Colombo Major General (Retd.) Muhammad Saad Khattak following latter’s warning over the issue at hand.

The SJB spokesman alleged the government was busy causing turmoil. The invitation extended to Myanmar to participate in the BIMSTEC regardless of the recent military takeover there exposed insensitively of the current administration to developments here and abroad.

MP Rahman said that the Indian High Commission issuing unprecedented contradictions in respect of cabinet spokesman’s declaration on the proposed West Container Terminal (WCT) as well as planned take-over of Trincomalee oil tank farm revealed an extremely dicey situation. The MP alleged that the government seemed to be in turmoil, unable to tackle issues. Referring to the Core Group on Sri Lanka pushing for a new resolution at the Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) next week, lawmaker Rahman said that the government obviously played politics with the issue believing it could be exploited domestically regardless of the consequences.

Rahman alleged that every sector was in turmoil due to rampant mismanagement though ‘Pohottuwa’ leaders conveniently blamed Covid-19. The electorate quite early realized the incumbent government’s weakness, the MP said, adding that the ugly truth couldn’t be hidden by futile propaganda exercise.

The MP challenged the government to make its position clear on much publicized slaughter of cattle. The government last September declared ban on cattle slaughter as it wanted to divert public attention. The ban was never meant to be, the MP alleged, pointing out the decision announced by the Prime Minister was never implemented. Perhaps someone felt that media blitz over proposed ban on burqa could divert attention from massive scam in slashing duty on imported sugar. Acknowledging the accusations directed at his former party the UNP over Treasury bond scams perpetrated in Feb 2015 and March 2016, lawmaker Rahman said that the Committee of Public Finance (COPF) chaired and dominated by the SLPP found fault with the alleged scam. Rahman challenged the government to release the report received by the COPF from the Finance Ministry.

Both Treasury bond scams and massive sugar duty scam should prompt political parties to take remedial measures or face the consequences, he warned.