"If the opposition unites we will see the end of the government" - MP Anura Kumara

Colombo (News 1st): The No-Confidence Motion presented by the JVP against the incumbent Government was debated in Parliament today (July 10). The no-confidence motion was presented citing the Government's inability to take the necessary action both before and after the attacks that took place on April 21st among a number of other points. JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake noted that the Prime Minister stated that he was not called to attend the Security Council meeting, but before this, he did not say anywhere that he was being barred from these meetings. He noted that he remembers some time ago, even the President mentioned that he was ready to go to the Central Bank. The President noted that the Prime Minister had heard that he was ready to go. Dissanayake further added that President said the Prime Minister had rushed to him and asked him how he can go to the Central Bank, given that the Central Bank is under the Prime Minister's purview. He notes that the President told of how both the Prime Minister and Arjuna Mahendran were at the Central Bank, waiting when he went there for the first time. He added that such was the PM's concern for the security of the Central Bank, he stood there like the doorman and questioned; "is there no responsibility for him to be at the Security Council meetings." The JVP Leader added that as a permanent member of the Security Council, it's his duty to be there, if he is not permitted to do so, these facts should be presented to Parliament. He believes his sheer neglect of the security of this country is a factor that contributed to the attacks that took place. He noted that this Government has no right to rule over this country and reminded them that the opposition is larger than this Government. He said if the Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa can bring together all the factions that he leads, including MP Sampanthan and the Tamil National Alliance and if they decide to come together at this time of tragedy and vote with their conscience this time only, definitely by the end of tomorrow, they will see the end of this Government. Meanwhile, the joint opposition, questioned if the intentions of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna are genuine. UPFA MP Prasanna Ranatunga noted that following the April 21st attacks, a No-Confidence Motion was presented against a minister of this Government and taking that into the debate has been delayed in the Parliament. He added that even some members of the Government were ready to support that No-Confidence Motion and there was a clear division within the Government. He noted that there is also an allegation against the JVP, that them bringing this No-Confidence Motion was to avoid that division from taking place. He noted that this was brought by the groups who were to bring this Government into power. MP Ranatunga noted that when the 56 day Government was formed, they saw on the television the manner in which the JVP ran around to protect Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Government during that No-Confidence Motion. He questioned; "if this is brought forward with genuine intentions, are the necessary surroundings been built for it?" Adding to this UPFA MP Shehan Semasinghe questioned; "Was this No-Confidence Motion truly presented against the Government? Or was it presented to restore the decaying power of Ranil Wickremesinghe?" He noted that they are clear about the fact that this was brought forward to reunite the Government when it was divided with some of the UNP MPs showing their support against the No-Confidence Motion brought forward against Minister Rishad Bathiudeen. The parliamentarian noted that this was not brought forward against the Government. Meanwhile, UPFA MP Thenuka Vidanagamage noted that they have to think whether this No-Confidence Motion was a full-toss directed at the Prime Minister who was cornered with nowhere to go. He reminded that this is the same people who make propositions to the complaints that are being brought forward by the FCID who has presented this. He said they do so while staying at a private room at the Temple Trees. General Secretary of the People's Party Asanka Nawarathna added that the JVP started "Pada-Satana" that filled up the streets and it was they who protected the Government throughout. He noted that it has been clearly understood by the people of this country. He noted that the JVP who fought saying that everyone is the same, have now fallen on to the lap of Ranil Wickremesinghe of the UNP, under the leadership of Anura Kumara Dissanayake. He noted that the JVP who has protected the Government throughout has now commenced this "Pada-Satana." He added that they do not know whether he is doing that by having one foot in Sri Lanka and another in Ireland. Leader of the House Minister Lakshman Kiriella expressed these views on behalf of the government when the No Confidence Motion was taken up today (July 10).  He noted that certain people who were arrested in this regard were released on bail and when granting bail, the judge said that the 10 years following the war was a very peaceful time period and that large scale murders were not reported during this period.

"The 1993 Sri Lanka legal reports say that the courts should be realistic and that those who make decisions mustn't make decisions as aliens. The Judge also added that attack was launched without a motive and that ISIS was never discussed in Sri Lanka. Who said that an ISIS attack will be launched in parliament? No one. The past 10 years have been peaceful. This attack was launched without a motive. The Judge says that the intelligence head had not mentioned a date. He has forwarded this message via WhatsApp. The judge says that sending a message via WhatsApp is unwise. When taking a look at the No Confidence Motion, it's clear that the Minister of Defence does not have a responsibility here. It's all about the Prime Minister, cabinet and the ministers. Have you mentioned the minister of defence in this No Confidence Motion? Why only the Prime Minister. This is purposely done to put the Prime Minister and us in trouble. The Security Council has instructed the Prime Minister not to attend even after he got to know about this. They didn't come even after the Prime Minister asked them to. The Prime Minister visited the Security Council. He was seated outside for 30 minutes."