UNP wants two-day debate soon on no confidence motion
Saturday, 8 March 2014 00:00
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The United National Party yesterday reiterated the need for a two day debate on the no confidence motion filed on 21 February 2014 highlighting the Government incompetency in curbing drug trafficking and to reveal the state politicians supporting heroin and ethanol imports.
Charging the Government for giving a lame excuse purposely delaying the debate UNP lawmaker Ravi Karunanayake said: “We call upon the Government to stop their nonsense and fooling around. We are very concerned that the Government is just giving a convenient excuse and a scapegoat of Geneva. Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe and G.L. Peiris are adequate to handle the matters in Geneva. Why have the others gone there? As if it is another political rally others are there to distribute sarongs, shirts, and umbrellas?”
According to Parliament Standing Orders a no-confidence motion has to be in the Order Book for five Clear Days before being taken for debate. “The no-confidence motion files on 21 February appeared in the Order Book published on 28 February. So, what is there to be afraid of if the Government has nothing to hide? The penalty for undervaluing a food import is to confiscate the goods. But heroin and ethanol gets conveniently released from the port and then have a subsequent inquiry. This is more of closing the stable doors after horse has bolted. In the days to come we will disclose the names of government politicians and their henchman involved in drug trafficking. To start with we name Kumaran Padmanadan alias KP a drug trafficker,” said MP Karunanayake.
Although the UNP is yet to decide their next step in case the Government continues to reject holding the two day debate on the no-confidence motion, MP Karunanayake expressed continuing their struggle, which is supported by the “entire opposition and a some government Ministers. They have the majority and have their way. But we have our say. So, we on behalf of the people of this country established the no confidence motion, which need to prioritise. During the UNP regime businesses were legitimate and people had food to eat.”
Lawmaker Ajith P. Perera expressing the seriousness of the drug trafficking stated the capital punishment given for 2 grams of heroin needs to be amended to suit the large quantities. “Capital punishment is given for 2 grams of heroin. But today’s imports are in kilos. Those who are into this trafficking are either government members or close supporters. Not only has the UNP but the entire opposition including a few honest Ministers in the Government supported us in this initiative,” he said.
