Mr Chandima Weerakkodi, Galle district MP, said in the parliament yesterday (5) that he was threatened by the defence secretary and the army commander yesterday (5) when he talked about the use of vehicles by high-ranking officers of the army. Sri Lanka Latest News
The MP said that he was speaking for the people and said that speaking for the people can only be stopped by killing.
He said that those henchmen cannot be prevented from speaking for the people.
Mr. Veerakkodi said, raising an issue of privilege.
Mr. Chandima Veerakkodi also said:
The Secretary of Defense and the Commander of the Army gave a threatening response in the Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security regarding a statement I made about the use of vehicles by high-ranking officers of the army. He behaved like a bully in the committee and in the parliament. I asked he would use hand and he said yes. Is he an animal, a rascal or a secretary? The Defense Secretary and the Army Commander continued to threaten me. This incident violated my MP privileges. Request to look into this and take immediate action.
The fact that the army should be reduced in this country was discussed in the parliamentary committee. I said that instead of reducing the number of soldiers, the unnecessary waste of the higher officials should be cut. Even ministers do not waste unnecessarily now. We give that respect. But I am talking about the activities of the army officers including the defense secretary. We know the situation our country is in. People have no food. People have no way to live.
Many people who have retired from the army do not get their pension. But it is surprising to see the way the army commander and the defence secretary indulge in wastage. Eight crore rupees are currently being spent to build the garden of the official residence of the Army Commander. Stop this kind of thing. The Defense Secretary is on the board of the Civil Aviation Authority. Before he goes there, a group of fifteen people come and check the premises and dance a big dance. Whose money is this? When we ask them to stop these things, they speak threateningly inside the Parliament premises.
We are going to walk to Independence Square. You see the Secretary of Defense when he goes for a walk in the morning. Two honourable soldiers lead the dogs. A jeep is followed by another vehicle. Whose money is this? People blame 225. Came to our village temple. Baddegama. Before coming to the temple, a separate group came. Hundreds of them was there no way to even feed the monks. This is the work of an officer. Defence expenses are allocated by us raising our hands. So, is it something to ask that our country becomes bankrupt when we do this? We highly respect the war heroes who fought in the war. Should a few officers be allowed to enjoy various pleasures? If a Member of Parliament who speaks for the country can come to this Parliament and threaten him, then action should be taken against them. I spoke for the people. Our mouths can be closed only by killing. Those henchmen cannot stop themselves from speaking for the people.
Mr Anura Kumara Dissanayake, a Member of the National People’s Power Party;
This is a serious matter. But check the tapes immediately. And work to protect them.
