JO calls for a parliamentary debate on IGP

Joint Opposition Parliamentary group leader MP Dinesh Gunawardana 

                                         – Pic by Ruwan Walpola

By Nuwan Senarathna 

The Joint Opposition yesterday called for a special Parliamentary debate on the conduct of the IGP and the current security situation in the country.

MP Dinesh Gunawardena called to question the impartiality of the inquiry, as the Inspector General of Police is also alleged to be involved in the plot. 

The JO has recently raised concerns over the behaviour of the IGP, and his alleged involvement with Director of TID at the press conference held in Colombo, with MP Gunawardena adding that they have called for the Police chief to step down from the post.

He also said a No-Confidence Motion will be tabled against IGP in the upcoming Parliamentary session.

“According to the latest information revealed by the Indian national who was arrested by police, there has been an alleged plot to assassinate the former President and his family as well. We should not consider this as an isolated incident, this is a serious matter in terms of the safety of the leader of this country and the national security,” he added.

He pointed out after the assassination of former Prime Minister S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike, security forces managed to prevent a repetition due to the vigilance of the security forces, yet the recent actions of the Government has resulted in lapses in national security. 

He also claimed that the depreciation of the rupee is the best example for the Government’s mismanagement and their failure to curtail the economic downturn. 

“The fuel price formula has caused an uncertainty among the business community as the price of fuel changes every month. At the moment, nobody knows how the formula works, therefore it is the Government’s duty to reveal the truth of the formula. If not, Government should do away with this formula,” he added.

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Chairman Prof. G. L. Peiris, speaking at the press conference, claimed that the UNP has taken steps to reduce the powers of the Ministry of Defence by forming the Ministry of Law and Order, which hindered the ability to direct the police.

“As we all know, the President cannot appoint the IGP anymore, since it is a task of the constitutional council (CC), and the majority of the members of CC are under control of UNP, which means it is run by Prime Minister. As per the 19th Amendment, the President can only hold the Defence Minister portfolio,” he said.