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VP criticizes UPFA for not convening House regularly *John A disagrees
Wednesday, 28 July 2010 - 9:45 AM SL Time
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JVP parliamentary group leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, MP told The Island that last week the parliament had met only on Tuesday since the approval of the UPFA s so-called budget. He emphasised that they should have met during the rest of the week, but the government had conveniently put off sittings to August 3.
MP Dissanayake said since last November parliament had not been convened as part of a government move to undermine the parliamentary process. He said that unlike previous budget debates, the last one had been concluded in 9 days. Had they followed procedures, the debate would have taken 26 days, he said adding that the entire parliamentary system was under threat. `The Rajapaksas are exploiting the system to their advantage,` he said. `and the Opposition has to discuss ways and means of ensuring eight days of sitting as envisaged.
But Chief Opposition Whip John Amaratunga, MP disagreed with the JVP. He told The Island yesterday that they needed only 9 days for budget debate as the UPFA presented only a mini-budget sans revenue proposals. He emphasised that a full debate would take place later this year when the UPFA presented its budget for 2011.
Ministerial sources said that members received a long holiday following a 26-day budget debate but this year s short debate could not be a reason for a two-week holiday.
MP Dissanayake alleged that the government needed parliament only to approve Emergency Regulations, which could be used to suppress the Opposition. According to him, the government was making an effort to use Parliament as a tool to enhance its power. He said that the UPFA made an attempt to portray its decision to have parliament sittings in the evenings as a major development. `This is nothing but another boru show to deceive the country.`
Journalists covering parliamentary proceedings said that some UPFA and UNP MP staged shows to secure prime time TV coverage. They alleged that scenes were created in parliament for the benefit of some television stations, which thrived on such scenes.
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