News
Ranawaka wants country’s defence strategy focused on Navy
By Samna Indrajith
SJB Colombo District MP Patali Champika Ranawaka said, on Thursday, that Sri Lanka’s defence strategy should have its focus on developing the Navy.
Participating in the third reading debate on Budget 2021 under the expenditure heads of ministries of Defence and Public Security, MP Ranawaka said that countries with a bigger landmass prepared their defence strategies focussed on ground forces, while smaller countries such as Britain and the Netherlands concentrated more on their naval power. “Sri Lanka with a sea area 23 times larger than its landmass too should think on the same lines. The United Nations is going to announce the exclusive sea zone belonging to Sri Lanka in the future. Therefore, I propose that our defence strategy, too, should be prepared giving more weight to the Navy.
“We must not forget how the LTTE could make use of our foreign policy that was changed under the JR Jayewardene government to become a pro-American country during the times when Russia and the US were in a power struggle. Again a similar situation is cropping up. We recently saw the QUAD security arrangement. A new strategic alliance by the name of Quadrilateral Security Dialogue was formed by the United States, Japan, Australia and India. This is against the Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean. It has been dubbed the Asian NATO. If we are going to take sides in this struggle of a new cold war our security and economy will be in danger. We should therefore maintain a non-aligned policy. I think that all our governments should follow Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike government’s policy of keeping Indian Ocean a peace zone.
At the time of the end of the war, our Navy gained international attention by maintaining a reliable sea supply route. It maintained those supplies amidst Sea Tiger attacks. The Navy could convert that fame into a successful revenue earning venture but it was handed over to a private businessman in 2012. He pocketed over Rs. 12,000 million. When we came to power we got it transferred to the navy. We hope that the fame the Navy won by dedicative service would not be allowed to be exploited by businessmen again. Today, the Somalia pirate problem is not that strong but our naval force still could become the strongest Navy in providing security services in this region.
“Today, technology plays a pivotal role in defence affairs the world over. Recently, the leading nuclear expert of Iran was assassinated. Prior to that Qasem Soleimani, leader of Iranian Quds Force was assassinated. Both assassinations were not carried out by persons but automatic electronic devices. The defence forces must get ready to be aware of digital technology and latest innovations of cyber warfare. But in our country if our authorities get hold of such technology it would be used to hunt opposition politicians and to listen to their telephone conversations,.”
Ranawaka said that the head of State and Chief Executive holding the defence portfolio was better for the national interest and it was a positive sign that confusion caused by the President not holding those portfolios had been put to an end.
Prof. Jayasumana raises possibility of Lanka ending up with “Quad’
Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has said it is the responsibility of the NPP government to submit the MoUs/agreements that were recently signed with India to the respective Sectoral Oversight Committees (SOCs).
Premadasa said so when The Island raised the issue with him. He said that during his meeting with Premier Modi his focus had been on opening the Indian market for Sri Lankan garment exports.
The seven MoUs/agreements signed on 05 April included defence cooperation, energy, Eastern Province development and digitalisation.
Meanwhile, the Vice President of Sarvajana Balaya and former lawmaker Prof. Channa Jayasumana said that the government owed an explanation whether the recently signed MoU on defence cooperation directly or indirectly attached Sri Lanka to the Quad security alliance, consisting of the US, Australia, Japan and India.
The former SLPPer raised the issue at a meeting held at Boralesgamuwa on Monday (07) in support of Sarvajana Balaya candidates contesting the May 6 LG polls.
Prof. Jayasumana urged that the MoU on Defence Cooperation be placed before Parliament, and the people, without further delay. The academic who served as State Health Minister during President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s tenure said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s foreign policy direction should be dealt with.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The government would not extend the suspension of ‘parate executions’ that was now effective, Deputy Minister of Finance Harshana Suriyapperuma told Parliament yesterday.
Suriyapperuma said so in response to a question raised by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, who asked about the government’s plans regarding a relief package to assist small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) struggling to repay loans.
Pointing out that about 263,000 SMEs had closed down, Premadasa asked what action the government would take to address the grievances of these SMEs.
He said that from 01 Jan., 2019, to 01 Dec., 31, 2023, licensed banks had collected Rs. 113.7 billion through 2,263 parate executions. As of 31 Dec., 2024, Rs. 1,380 billion had been recovered from Stage III defaulters.
The government has introduced loan schemes to assist SMEs impacted by the economic crisis. They included capital loans of up to Rs. 10 million, with a six-month grace period and a three-year repayment term at 8% interest, Suriyapperuma said. Additionally, another loan scheme under the consolidated fund aimed to help SMEs that werecurrently paying their loans. That scheme offered loans of up to Rs. 15 million, which must be repaid over ten years with a one-year grace period and a 7% interest rate. For SMEs that had defaulted on their loans, a loan of up to Rs. 5 million is available at 8% interest, with a six-month grace period and a five-year repayment term, Suriyapperuma said.
By Saman Indrajith
The Parliament yesterday approved a Resolution to appoint a Committee of Inquiry (CoI) in terms of Section 5 of the Removal of Officers (Procedure) Act, No. 5 of 2002, to remove Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon from office.
The parliament announced 151 votes were received in favour of the Resolution and was passed without debate. Three opposition MPs R. Ramanathan Archuna, Nizam Kariyappar, Mujibur Rahuman and Ajith P Perera voted with the government.
The Resolution moved by NPP MP Lalkmali Hemachandra aims to appoint the CoI to investigate charges of misconduct and gross abuse of power of his office.
NPP MP Gayan Janaka seconded the motion.
SLMC MP Nizam Kariyappar said that the motion carrying the resolution should better be amended citing the Standing Order 91 (F) stating that the matter of Tennakoon was sub judice.
Deputy Speaker Dr. Mohamed Rizvie Salih said that the matter does not arise as per the agreements reached by the party leaders.
Chief Government Whip Health and Mass Media Minister Dr Nalinda Jayatissa called for a division on the resolution.
By Saman Indrajith
Sajith asks govt. to submit its MoUs with India to Parliament
Govt. won’t extend suspension of ‘parate executions’
Resolution to remove IGP: Resolution passed, four Opp MPs vote with govt.
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