Kiriella to raise privilege issue against Gota

16 April 2012 10:54 am - 28 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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UNP MP Lakshman Kiriella said today, that he would raise a privilege issue in parliament against Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakshe, who is a public servant for challenging him against a statement made by him.

Kiriella said that he has no right to question a member of parliament. “The secretary of Defence is a public servant and therefore is much lower in the protocol ladder. He has no right to question or challenge a member of parliament. We as Parliamentarians air our views because it’s our duty to give a voice to the voiceless” he said.

However the MP went on to add that he would gladly provide any information regarding the issue, if the President of the country requests him to do so. “I will gladly provide any information if the President of this country, as the Minister of Defense and the commander in chief requests me to do so” he said. He also went on to state that he would raise this issue in Parliament. “How could a public servant who is much lower in the protocol ladder to that of an MP question an MP? It’s a violation of the establishments code and a breach of privilege of an MP and I will raise this issue in parliament” he said.

However, the UNP Parliamentarian went on to state that he will respond to the matters raised by Rajapaksha in the interest of the public, and not in response to the Secretary of Defense. “ It is well known that abductions and disappearances continue to take place in Sri Lanka, this phenomenon has been a continuous occurrence for a very long time.” he said

Kirella called on the Defence Secretary to address the real issues and not evade them “The Defence Secretary seems to be wanting to deviate from the real issues which are who were the abductors? If the government was not responsible then why haven’t they been brought to justice? How were these abductees dropped in the middle of Colombo when the Police were on high alert? What happened to the other people who have been constantly abducted? Why hasn’t there been anyone held responsible for these abductions to this day? Its not only us but the whole world wants answers to these questions and Mr Rajapakshe should answer these questions without evading them,” he said

Kiriella went on to state that Gunarathnam was immediately deported without being produced before a magistrate because the true nature of the abduction would have been revealed. “Obviously the people who abducted Gunarathnam were reluctant to produce him before a magistrate because if he was produced the true nature of the abduction would have been revealed” he said.

Responding to Mr. Rajapaksa challenging him to divulge the name of the abductee’s relative who had identified an abductor at the Police station, Mr. Kiriella said several MPs would testify to the incident. “This happened about four years ago at an event organized by Mano Ganesan for the relatives of disappeared people. This lady told it to all those who were there for the event. Several MPs including myself were present and there were several who spoke of disappearances of this nature,” he said.
(By Hafeel Farisz)

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Comments - 28

Had enough Tuesday, 17 April 2012 06:31 AM

Do you think other secetraies have the same right to question defence secretrary or MP? they might, however a white van will follow them.

samosa Tuesday, 17 April 2012 02:50 PM

Of course as a citizen, people have the right to ask any question from a MP. But at the same time, we should not forget Gota is a public servant, He asked details of this mother not as a citizen, he asked questions as a Defense Secretary, therefore, he is in a lower position than a MP. He can't make such a question who is in upper level. That's the protocol.

gundalagesi Tuesday, 17 April 2012 08:33 AM

This is utter balderdash. Of course, as a citizen of this country Goatabaya has the right to question a minister who is supposed to be representing the public. Not only are politicians turning crooked, but now they want total impunity?

Gota is a state appointed official. Kiria is an MP brought in by the public. Any member of public has the right to question the minister and there is no avoiding that.

Nimal Tuesday, 17 April 2012 07:47 AM

Gota thinks that he is the second in command of Sri Lanka. Other people includin Kiriella have to accept that

CHAMINDA Tuesday, 17 April 2012 08:05 AM

mr gotabaya has done something for the country & he can question any body like useless kiriella what he has done for the country????????????????

Nan Tuesday, 17 April 2012 07:40 AM

I guess the bigger problem now is to figure out who's bigger than whom. gunaratnam and the abductions will have to wait..

raj Tuesday, 17 April 2012 07:18 AM

See what happened to the witness in against a polic OIC? He arrtested and was found dead inside the jail cell. What will happend if the MP discloses the name of the witness he is referring to?

samosa Tuesday, 17 April 2012 07:23 AM

Gota forgot who he is. He thinks being a Rajapakse could say anything...

Renu Tuesday, 17 April 2012 07:22 AM

He is a public servant , but he has got the more powers than the president now, so MPs have to wait till there is a change of government to put the protocol and law & order right in the country

jayantha Tuesday, 17 April 2012 06:55 AM

The protocol ladder is leading to a white van.

chandrakumar Tuesday, 17 April 2012 06:55 AM

This is madness at the expence of parlimentary democracy.Why should not a public servant be able to question the false statements issued by a parlimentarian? A MP is also paid by the public money and should be able to clarify the foolish idiotic statements given by them when asked.The law should change as parlimentarians use this rule to hide after giving false statements.

Guna Tuesday, 17 April 2012 06:51 AM

Any voter has the right to question and challenge any MP. All the MP's should understand that they are not god but they are the servants of public. They are always answerable to the public. This is what is not happening in Sri Lanka. If the President can make these MP's to be answerable to the Public / Citizens of Sri Lanka, the people would appreciate it as the same way as ending the war.

Labby Monday, 16 April 2012 12:29 PM

Well said, Sir !

Observer Tuesday, 17 April 2012 06:35 AM

Mr. Sinhala Baudda, Yes, IT IS HIGH TIME TO CHANGE THE COLONIAL LAW. Because we have MPs like Wimal Weerawansa, Mervin Silva etc.

udu Tuesday, 17 April 2012 06:20 AM

Well said what? You are blindly clapping my friend. Anyway, this incident makes evident that MPs have too many privileges.

thumbumma Tuesday, 17 April 2012 12:25 AM

You are correct..but keep in mind anybody can queation MPs. We all know there is no any leagal protocol in our country. Even the dog (may be weerawansa) in Rajapaksha's walawwa is higher than you...

Dayan Monday, 16 April 2012 01:17 PM

He is a Dual citizen

Ruwan Ferdinandez Monday, 16 April 2012 01:32 PM

Gotabhaya is a citizen of the country who has the same right as anybody else to question an MP, who is paid and employed by us.

Sinhala Baudda Monday, 16 April 2012 01:16 PM

Sad state of affairs. Idiotic statements of MPs cannot be challenged. That' s why he boldly equalled a soldier with a cow. High time to change colonial law.

jellybabix Monday, 16 April 2012 01:00 PM

Why this is interpreted as a challenge or questioning? It can be interpreted as a request for information. Since this is out in the public and Kiriella is defending the person there will be no threat of the person coming to any harm. The failure on the part of Kiriella will only lead to the conclusion that Kiriella is lying.

Coconut Donkey Monday, 16 April 2012 01:10 PM

There is hardly such a thing as a 'public servant' almost all of them are somebody's 'private servant' but living on public money!

prasad Monday, 16 April 2012 01:10 PM

It’s true that there is a protocol ladder, but what gota is asking /challenging from this idiot is, provide some proof for one of his earliest made statement. So why this MP can’t provide such proof rather making lots of noise regarding the protocol.

So, is that meaning these politicians can make any stupid / incorrect statements but no one can ask clarifications about it? Not sure but sometimes he may allow such because “ona gonekuta onaama gon kathaawak kiyanna puluwan”.

Dehand Senanayake Monday, 16 April 2012 01:03 PM

Mr Kiriella, why not file a case in the Supreme Court and get the Defense Secretary to answer to the Supreme Court. Also, thereby you could get him to tell the Supreme Court why he should not be punished for breaching the Establishment Code. The Defense Secretary too is a Public Servant and is bound by the EC. Also report him to the Public Services Commission.

Gayan Samarasekara Monday, 16 April 2012 12:51 PM

He can't respond. Trying to bully us. Extremely bad for the future of the UNP.

justin Monday, 16 April 2012 12:35 PM

You are absolutely right!

aruna Monday, 16 April 2012 12:42 PM

he he Hero has gone Zero !!!

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Kiriella to raise privilege issue against Gota

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