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MPs want NGOs monitored
By Chandani Kirinde
A group of MPs have requested Speaker W.J.M. Lokubandara to appoint a Select Committee of Parliament for the investigation of the operations of non-governmental organisations and their impact on the country.

The motion to this effect signed by thirteen MPs, most of them from the JVP, including Nandana Gunatilleke, Vijitha Herath, Bimal Ratnayake as well as Ministers Dinesh Gunawardena and Jeyaraj Fernandopulle were handed over to the Speaker recently.

They want the Select Committee to look into functioning of foreign funded NGOs, look into the transparency of their financial activities and identify the manner in which the functioning of such organisations has impinged upon the sovereignty and national defence of Sri Lanka.

The Committee would also need to identify how the activities of those NGOs have adversely affected the national and social well being of the country and look into the manner in which the Sri Lankan government is required to act in respect of those NGOs, and present a comprehensive report to Parliament.

The signatories to the motion say the need for the appointment of such a committee has arisen because of the allegations that have been levelled by numerous citizens to the effect that some such organisations are engaged in activities which are inimical to the sovereignty and integrity of Sri Lanka and have acted in a manner detrimental to the country and its national security.

The other MPs who signed the motion are Anjan Umma, Ramalingam Chandrasekeran, Lakshman Nipunaarachchi, Anuruddha Polgampola, H.R. Mithrapala, Mussammil Mohamed, S.A. Jayantha Samaraweera and H.M. Wasantha Samarasinghe.

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