Parliament takes up stoning to death of Lankan migrant worker in Saudi

By Ashwin Hemmathagama Our Lobby Correspondent

Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi Parliamentarian M.A. Sumanthiran charged the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of harsh laws, which clearly violate human rights and dignity, opening the second day of the Committee Stage Debate on the 10th allotted day of the Appropriation Bill 2016. 

MP Sumanthiran’s call for international community’s intervention over punishments such as stoning to death, whipping, and lashes created a tense situation in the Parliament.

Reminding the House of the beheading of Rizana Nafeek which took place a few years ago, MP Sumanthiran criticised the Sri Lankan diplomatic mission in Saudi Arabia, officials of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice, and the Minister of Foreign Employment for failing to take action to stop harsh punishments on Sri Lankans.

“I want the House to remember yet another sad event about to happen in Saudi Arabia. As we all know in a few hours a Sri Lankan woman will be stoned to death. On 9 January 2013 a young girl was beheaded and we had a special reference and a debate in this House. Barely after two years, this is in front of us reminding us the relations that we should have with countries at large and the terms of those relationships. Our Mission Head in Saudi Arabia flippantly remarked that if our workers go there to work for a living and don’t like the laws in that country, they need not come there. That is not the kind of a reply we expect from the Head of our Mission there nor the officials who are tasked with looking after the welfare of Sri Lankans whichever part of the world they go to,” he said.

However, MP Sumathiran who considers himself as a friend of the Muslim community in Sri Lanka assured that he would not criticise any religion. “What I say here is no reflection on traditions and religions. Today, we are a global village and civilised. I consider myself a friend of those who follow Islam in this country. There are Ministers who follow Islam. Is this what Shariah law prescribes? I am a believer in the Christian faith. These laws are found in the Old Testament of the Bible where people should be stoned to death. But during Jesus Christ’s time, one woman was caught and was brought in front of him. Jesus said ‘let him who has no sin cast the first stone’. So the story goes that the men dropped the stones and went away. If this law to be implemented in our country today, the man who was engaged in this transaction given 100 lashes, who can withstand it? Even Singapore has whipping. As much as we open up in friendship to the world, these issues should be raised among the international community,” he added.

Taking time to highlight the violation of human rights that took place during the Rajapaksa regime, MP Sumanthiran said: “Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda himself in an interview has confirmed to a local newspaper about the secret detention centers at the naval dockyard during the previous Government. I wonder how the Minister of Foreign Affairs was able to say it is a false claim in the UN report.”

Minister of Higher Education and Highways and the Leader of the House of Parliament Lakshman Kiriella responding to MP Sumanthiran’s claims said: “There were secret detention camps in Sri Lanka during the previous Government and now those are closed. We have nothing to hide. We have given you that assurance.”

Getting back to his speech, MP Sumanthiran said: “With the Leader of the House of Parliament confirming there were secret detention centers, where are those people detained in them? This is serious comment. The Navy Commander of the time has confirmed it. Disappearance is a serious issue in this country. There are over 20,000 complaints. I have the names of people held in Boossa. Is Boossa a detention center, or a remand prison or what is it? Do these people in my list fall into the category of prisoners who will be released? Why were they held separately? How many were held in TID separately in Colombo Fort? I have seen hundreds of people detained there. The same TID division is continuing. Is this happening now? If you are saying it is not, you must tell us.”