News
Ranawaka calls for release of all volumes of PCoI report to clear people’s doubts
The SJB on Sunday called on the government to release 22 volumes of report of the Presidential Commission of inquiry into the Easter Sunday carnage.
SJB MP Patali Champika Ranawaka addressing the media in Colombo said that people had serious doubts about the Easter Sunday carnage investigations because the government had withheld 22 out of 23 volume-report of the Commission of Inquiry that conducted a 16-month probe on terror attacks.
“Catholics have doubts. Muslims have doubts. There is unrest among people because the government keeps hiding some vital information contained in those 22 volumes of the PCoI report. For example, I gave a factual testimony. The commissioners lauded it as an expert testimony. It is included in one of those volumes. How could people know facts contained in testimonies by various witnesses? In my testimony, I recommended that certain issues be investigated to prevent occurrence of such a calamity again. The government is not doing that. We cannot afford a recurrence of such violence.
“It was I who first warned of the radical Islamic movements having the potential to evolve into a terror outfits. I published a book in 2001and warned of Islamic extremism allied with Wahabism was operating in the country. It is a known fact that we still have such elements within the Muslim community. The majority of Muslims know of this very well and try to distance themselves from those extremists as much as possible.
“Thowheed Jamaath is a very insignificant movement. According to the Janak de Silva report, Zahran left Thowheed Jamaath with a small number of followers. It was they who became the terrorist group that carried out the Easter Sunday carnage. Within Thowheed Jamaath rank and file were paid-informants of security forces. Even Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, speaking to the media at the Rajopanaramaya in Getambe, said that information had been solicited from such informants for money.
Several people including the former Attorney General have said that there was a conspiracy behind the Easter Sunday probe. Two years have elapsed since the attacks. The US has taken to courts the culprits responsible for the attacks found by their law enforcement agencies. We have not yet properly compensated the victims.”
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya yesterday sad that the Executive Presidency would be abolished, in line with the NPP’s election manifesto.
Speaking in Parliament, in response to a question raised under Standing Order 27/2 by Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa, the Prime Minister said the abolition would take place through a proposed new Constitution.
She added that preliminary work on drafting the new Constitution had already begun, with previous committee reports and other proposals being studied to guide the process.
“A concept paper on the draft will be presented to the Cabinet,” Amarasuriya said, noting that a formal study has been initiated on abolishing the Executive Presidency.
She said that the move cannot be implemented without introducing a new Constitution.
Leader Sajith Premadasa told Parliament yesterday that the suspension of duties imposed on Dr. Rukshan Bellana, Deputy Director of the National Hospital, amounted to a violation of his fundamental rights.
Raising the issue during parliamentary proceedings, Premadasa, who is also the SJB Leader, questioned the decision to suspend the senior medical officer for issuing a statement to the media, particularly on matters relating to children’s medicines.
He said health was a fundamental right and noted that two children had reportedly died, stressing that the focus should be on accountability over the incident rather than penalising a medical professional for speaking out.
Premadasa criticised the authorities for suspending Dr. Bellana solely for communicating with the media, asking whether such action constituted justice for families who had lost their children.The Opposition Leader said silencing officials, who raise concerns, undermines fundamental rights and does not address the underlying issues related to patient safety and public health.
Acting Deputy Director of the Colombo National Hospital Dr. Rukshan Bellana has been suspended.
A letter, issued by the Ministry of Health, says preliminary investigations by the Ministry of Health has revealed that Dr. Bellana, as a government medical officer holding a responsible position, made statements to the media, without approval, in a manner that created a controversial situation in the country and unrest among the public.
The letter further stated that formal disciplinary action will be taken in due course regarding this matter.
PM says govt. will introduce a new Constitution to abolish executive presidency
Opposition Leader rises in defence of Dr. Bellana
Dr. Bellana suspended for speaking to media
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