Opposition wants Judge Advocate; prosecuting counsel summoned
Pandemonium reigned in parliament yesterday as the opposition urged the Speaker to summon before the House the prosecuting counsel and the Judge Advocate of the first General Court Martial against retired General Sarath Fonseka along with the records of its proceedings.
In a hard-hitting speech, Opposition United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said the prosecuting counsel and the Judge Advocate had deliberately misled the GCM which had in its ruling, found General Fonseka guilty of getting involved in politics while being in the armed services and recommended that he be stripped of his rank, decorations and retirement benefits.
He said in this exercise the parliamentary privileges of General Fonseka had been breached.Mr. Wickremesinghe denied allegations that General Fonseka did politics with the UNP while in service.
Mr. Wickremesinghe demanded that the Prosecuting Counsel and the Judge advocate be summoned before parliament.
Democratic National Alliance (DNA) parliamentary group leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake also made remarks with regard to the ruling of the GCM.
At this point, all the opposition MPs rose to their feet and demanded a ruling by the Deputy Chairman of Committees M. Chandrakumar who was presiding at that time.
The MPs trooped into the well of the House and proceeded towards Mr. Chandrakumar who eventually adjourned sessions at 2.45 pm.After 15 minutes, the House resumed the business of the day with Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa in the Chair. Mr. Dissanayake, again rose on a point of order, and said there was no use in passing laws in parliament if they were not implemented properly.
UNP MPs Ravi Karunanayake and Dayasiri Jayasekera also spoke against the GCM ruling.
External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris in the meantime argued that it was a gross violation of the principles of the Constitution and Standing Order 78 to criticize Judges.Prof. Peiris demanded that Mr. Wickremesinghe’s speech be expunged.Eventually, the Speaker said he would give his ruling today after a review of views expressed by all concerned.General Fonseka who attended yesterday’s parliamentary sessions was mobbed by opposition MPs after they protested in the well of the House. His wife Anoma was also present in the public gallery.
Mr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said this situation would harm the reputation of the country.
He said the Opposition and the Government should not confront each other as it would give an opportunity for the international forces to fulfil their vested interests. He made this point referring to the alleged harassment which the former general was being subjected to.
“No one questions the contribution made by President Mahinda Rajapaksa toward winning the war on terrorism. But one must admit that the former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka also played a key role, sustaining injuries in the battlefield,” he said.Asserting that someone was misleading President Rajapaksa about how to treat Mr. Fonseka, Mr. Rajapakshe called on Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa to advise him.
