The military defeat of the LTTE seems to have brought about a more conciliatory approach between the government and opposition parliamentarians with many seeing the post-war scenario as an opportunity to work together to develop the country. But some of the past contentions surfaced from time-to-time when Parliament met last week.
It was the first day Parliament met after President Mahinda Rajapaksa opened a new session of the House last week and announced that the country had been completely freed from the clutches of separatist terrorism.
Many MPs who spoke used the occasion to express their gratitude to the President, the Defence Secretary and the members of the armed forces for defeating the LTTE.
Minister Maithripala Sirisena said the time was opportune for a positive outlook adding that he was encouraged by the statement made by the Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesighe that all must work together to develop the country.
“The President said there are no more minorities in the country. This is the first time such a statement was made by a leader of this country. We have to think of our journey forward from here on,” he said.
Sri Lanka Muslim Congress leader MP Rauff Hakeem welcomed the defeat of the LTTE saying the achievement was “remarkable” and unprecedented”. He said the Muslims had more reason to rejoice as they had suffered immensely at the hands of the terrorists.
However, he also cautioned about being carried away by the euphoria of the military victory quoting Polybius, the Greek Historian to underscore the point. “Those that know how to win are much more numerous than those who know how to make proper use of their victories."
Mr. Hakeem also extended his support to obtain the standby loan requested by the government from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) saying that a “collective appeal” was needed from all parties to the international community to facilitate this.
UNP Kurunegala district MP Dayasiri Jayasekera also thanked all those responsible for bringing about an end to terrorism in the country and said irrespective of political affiliations, all Sri Lankans had flocked under the national flag to herald a new era free from terror
The MP also extended the support of his party to fight against allegations of “war crimes” that are being levelled at Sri Lanka's armed forces and the political leadership. “The Tamil people have now been liberated from the rule of the gun and now we must work together for their welfare,” he said.
For MP Wimal Weerawansa, it seemed the perfect time to get back at some of his former comrades from the JVP who he said had missed the historic opportunity to be partners in a victory against the LTTE and accused the leadership of dragging its members also away from savouring the victory.
“There were conspirators within the JVP who misled the leadership and the membership.
They failed to seize the opportunity when it came their way and when the LTTE was defeated the JVP members were relegated to the level of selling national flags to make some money,” he said. |
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