UNP says Govt. has established greater freedoms during 3 years in power

• State Minister Ajith P. Perera outlines changes brought about by 19th Amendment

By Ruwandi Gamage

As the Good Governance Government completes its third year, the United National Party (UNP) yesterday spoke of its key achievements with regards to freedom, independence and the Right to Information.

State Minister of Power and Renewable Energy Ajith P. Perera, speaking at the UNP headquarters of Sirikotha said that the Government had made great strides with media freedom, judicial and public sector independence and the right to information while also making headway with development.

Perera spoke in detail about the media freedom obtained under the present government and how it had benefitted people through transparency which he claimed was never the case under the previous government.  

“The media is the apex of politics and freedom of the media is a pillar of politics. Transparency of government aids the public in using their votes wisely. The media is responsible for delivering correct information to the public,” he said.  

He highlighted the struggles media personnel had to face in attempting to deliver transparency to the public, citing the murder of The Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge and the abduction and assault of the Silumina newspaper’s Poddala Jayantha and Keith Noyahr of The Nation as examples. 

“Spokesperson Karu Jayasuriya’s call to Mahinda Rajapaksa is how Keith was able to be saved without being murdered. That proves that Mahinda Rajapaksa had knowledge about the gang who had Keith captive. That was a dark time for the media. This government has brought about the freedom necessary for the media to be honest. No media personnel has been abused or murdered under this government.”

Perera emphasised the achievement of establishing the Right to Information as a fundamental right guaranteed by the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, and how this has paved the way for the media and the public to be informed about the actions of the Government and its leaders. 

“The public and the media have the ability to fill a form, pay a due fee and obtain information of any public organisation unless it is confidential information concerning security and the economy. If the requested information is not provided within 14 days, legal action can be taken against the particular organisation,” he explained.

The State Minister of Power and Renewable Energy also reminded the media about the independent audit committee established under the 19th Amendment to monitor and report on the corruption and ineffectiveness of state financial institutions, and also about the Audit Act which came into effect to secure the said committee.

“This act has the power to fine public officials who are corrupt, before any legal action is taken. That is a win for the citizens of this country,” he said.

He spoke of the current independence of the legal system and brought in examples about the change of the selection process of officials in the Attorney General’s Department, which used to be under the rule of the President. The State Minister then spoke on the actions taken to make the legal system more effective.

“Under the Good Governance Government we have been able to establish more courts and have daily court proceedings. The first ever three-member Special High Court will commence its work from 24 August,” he said.

The State Minister then spoke in brief about the developments that are underway with the country’s expressways, stating that in a year’s time the Matara Hambantota Expressway will be open while revealing that the Central Expressway’s construction was 80% complete and the circular expressway connecting the Southern Expressway and the Katunayake Expressway was more than 60% complete. 

Talking about developments at the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy, the State Minister detailed the 151 MW of solar energy added to the state system and the new partnerships that had been agreed upon with regards to the purchase of power.

“The CEB is in talks to partner up with the Indian Government to create 500 MW of power, 500 MW with the Japanese Government and 400 MW with the Chinese Government,” he said.

Pic by Shehan Gunasekara