Wednesday, 9 July 2014 00:57
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The Ministry of Defence (MOD) yesterday played down the instructions issued to Non-Governmental Organisations on the need to stick to their mandate.
Defence Ministry spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya said that the instructions were issued as a mere reminder and it was nothing new.
“This is not a strengthening of regulations,” Brigadier Wanigasooriya added.
Clarifying a general perception that it was an attempt to restrain the NGO’s work he said that it was a false information disseminated to misguide the public.
He further pointed out the Acts that are in force and the prevailing legal background which are clearly mentioned in the website of the NGO’s Secretariat (http://www.ngosecretariat.gov.lk). There are no any legal provisions to act beyond the Mandate, he stressed.
a. Voluntary Social Service Organizations [Registration and Supervision] Act Number 31 of 1980
b. Voluntary Social Service Organizations [Registration and Supervision] [Amendment] Act Number 8 of 1998
c. Regulations issued under the Act published in the Extra-ordinary Gazette1101/14 dated 15/10/1999
d. Circular Letter of the Secretary to the President dated 26/2/1999
Brigadier Wanigasooriya also mentioned that, Sri Lanka Navy’s Offshore Patrol Vessel, Samudura brought 41 Australia-bound Sri Lankan economic-immigrants to the Galle Harbour.
Further elaborating on the incident he said that, they were handed over to SLNS Samudura by an Australian ship whilst it was on deep sea patrol in the southern seas of Sri Lanka. The group had been handed over to law enforcement authorities for further investigations, he also said.
Responding to a question on the intention of the stranded group, the Brigadier explained that, 37 Sinhalese and 04 Tamils were found and majority of them had been identified as residents of Panadura area. Thus, their intention is obvious, he stated.
Further responding to the media gathering he said that, it is accustomed that even merchant ships rescues stranded men, those who issues distress signals at sea. Replying on the safety of personnel transferred at sea he explained that, Navy did this using its craft and professional expertise and doing so rescued a pet dog that was found among the rescued people.
