Protests Against Anti-Sri Lankan Parliament Act of Missing Person Office
The Joint Opposition, Patriotic Organizations, War Heroes and General Public held a protest campaign close to Sri Lankan parliament premises where the monument for war heroes situated.
The widely unpopular Bill which is considered as anti-Sri Lankans and anti-War-heroes was passed amidst of strong protest by Joint Opposition against the government. Pro-UNP leftist party, JVP and pro-LTTE Tamil terrorists political party TNA supported the Bill. In particular, JVP who supported and encouraged to finish the LTTE Tamil terrorists by war supported the Bill which has power to prosecute war heroes very controversial manner against the Sri Lankan law.
MEP Leader Dinesh Gunawardena opposed to the move by the government stating that the Joint Opposition would not agree with the government’s to change the session plan to hold the debate on the OMP for two days – (Thursday and Friday) and to have the vote in Friday evening to advance the voting at 11 am on Friday. He said that shortening the time of debate would deprive the Opposition MPs of their time to speak in Parliament leading to the deprivation of their privileges.
The most unpopular Foreign Minister of the nation who has betrayed the country to please the LTTE Tamil terrorists to gain cheap political gains, Mangala Samaraweera introduced the Bill and was seconded by another anti-Sri Lankans and Anti-Sinhala pro-LTTE Tamil terrorists MP from TNA, Sumanthiran. The pro-UNPers of JVP MP Bimal Ratnayake, too, spoke supporting the Bill while Joint Opposition MPs remained in the Well and protesting for it.
Majority are on the opinion that this Bill betraying the Nation. Following are the few of such provisions in the Bill;
1. This is not a part of Sri Lanka’s State law enforcement and justice system, but an independent body incorporated by parliament which gives its members the power to function outside the normal rules and regulations that guide state institutions.
2. Even though it is described as an ‘Office’ it will be functioned as a tribunal which can examine witnesses, issue summons and hold hearings.
3. Its officers can enter without warrant, at any time of day or night, any police station, prison or military installation and seize any document or object they require for investigations. Anyone who fails or refuses to cooperate with the OMP may be punished for contempt of court.
4. The seven ‘members’ of the OMP are to have experience in fact finding and expertise in human rights law and international humanitarian law which means that the appointees will for the most part be representatives of Western funded NGOs or those who have worked with Western sponsored international war crimes tribunals.
5. According to Section 21 of the legislation, the OMP will have the power to receive funding from any foreign source.
6. It can enter into agreements with foreign persons or organisations concerning its work.
7. The ‘members’ of the OMP can establish units and divisions and delegate their powers and functions to those entities. They can also appoint and dismiss staff and consultants. It is not specified in the law that the members of the OMP have to be Sri Lankans.
8. Complaints can be received not only from relations and friends of missing persons but from any interested party both local and foreign.
9. Government bodies at all levels including the armed forces and intelligence services are mandatorily required to render fullest assistance to the OMP and the provisions of the Official Secrets Act will not apply to the proposed institution.
10. According to Section 12 (c) (iii) the OMP can admit as evidence any statement or material disregarding the criteria laid down in the Evidence Ordinance.
11. The provisions of the Right to Information Act will not apply to the work of the OMP. No court, not even the Supreme Court can order any officer of the OMP to submit to courts any material communicated to him in confidence.
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