SLFP undecided on Bathiudeen’s NCM

Party to discuss on No-Confidence Motion with top leaders before making decision

By Nuwan Senarathna

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) yesterday said it is yet to decide whether to support the No-Confidence Motion against Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, which was handed over to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya yesterday by the Joint Opposition.

MP Mahinda Amaraweera

MP Duminda Dissanayake

Lawmakers backing Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa handed the document over to the Speaker, with the support of MP Ven. Athuraliye Rathana. Sixty-four JO members signed the No-Confidence Motion. 

Speaking to media at SLFP head office, National Organiser MP Duminda Dissanayake said the party had not taken any official decision on the No-Confidence Motion against Bathiudeen.

“I have seen a divide within the JO, even they cannot find common ground on this matter,” he added.

Dissanayake said the SLFP will decide whether to support the No-Confidence Motion against Bathiudeen after a lengthy discussion with senior members of the party. He said the SLFP would act as a responsible political party inside and outside of Parliament regarding the No-Confidence Motion against Bathiudeen.

However, the majority of MPs that signed the No-Confidence Motion against Bathiudeen were members of the SLFP.  

Meanwhile, SLFP stressed all political parties should come together to formulate and implement relevant laws to promote national security, by strengthening friendship among races and religions.

Speaking to media, United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) General Secretary MP Mahinda Amaraweera said the SLFP is ready to take the lead to formulate the required legislation to strengthen the fight against terrorism and extremism. 

He argued Parliament has not given priority to its main duty of formulating new laws following the Easter Sunday attacks and mob attacks. 

“At the two rounds of discussion held under the patronage of the Speaker, with the participation of all Sectorial Oversight Committees and the Ministers in charge of the relevant subjects, there was no accord on what to formulate legislation on,” he added.

He said SLFP submitted 11 proposals to the Sectorial Oversight Committee on National Security, chaired by MP Malith Jayatilake. In the proposal, SLFP highlighted the importance of drafting laws against the spread of hatred, violence, and suspicions amongst races, religions, and ethnic groups as a criminal offense.

SLFP also noted the importance of establishing educational institutes where all children can get an education under one roof, irrespective of ethnicity or religion. Amaraweera pointed out that they had proposed to formulate laws to prevent registration of political parties based on race, religion, caste, or region.

He noted that one Ministry should oversee all religions. 

“Laws should be formulated to monitor and control funds received by different countries, organisations and individuals.” 

He said members of the SLFP had already conducted several rounds of talks with parties, including Minister Mano Ganesan and members of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), which had ended successfully, and expected to have more discussions with religious leaders.

Pic by Lasantha Kumara