JVP to apprise CPA of government’s ‘sordid act’

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) is to apprise the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) of what it claims as unreasonable attempts by the government to prevent General (retired) Sarath Fonseka from attending its sessions in Nairobi.

Earlier, Democratic national Alliance (DNA) member General Fonseka was said to be one of the Sri Lankan Members of Parliament who would attend the CPA conference to be held at Nairobi in September this year. However, there were concerns that the retired General would have to obtain special permission to attend the conference as he is under military custody and is facing two courts martial and also some civil court cases.

Meanwhile the JVP states that the government which was more intent in canvassing support against Gen. Sarath Fonseka rather than the budget had resorted to ‘devious ways’ to strike off his name from the five member delegation from Sri Lanka.

JVP member and DNA Parliamentarian Sunil Handunnethti has said that the government had taken a vote to prevent Fonseka from attending the conference. He claimed that it was a vengeful act by the government and that it was able to strike off Fonseka’s name yesterday (Saturday) as Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa was the chairman of the Sri Lanka branch of the CPA.

“This is a wrong precedent. Such decisions can be taken in the future too as a repressive measure against Opposition Parliamentarians. Hence, we have decided to apprise the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association regarding this sordid act of the government,” Mr. Handunnetti has said.

Five sri Lankan Parliamentarians, three from government benches and two from the Opposition are to attend the CPA conference at Nairobi in September.