Many groups of the opposition took the initiative today to work together as a massive force against the anti-democratic activities implemented by the government. In the face of the current political, economic and social issues, all the political parties of the opposition have come together to form a common program against the arbitrary and program implemented by the government. Many opposition groups led by Samagi Janabalawega came together in Parliament today (24) for the arrangement. It was headed by opposition leader Mr. Sajith Premadasa.
Mr. Sajith Premadasa, the leader of the opposition, said that a country cannot move forward without dealing with the international community and sitting in the concept of the well toad and what we should do is to win the best through a dialogue program with the international community.
The leader of the opposition emphasized that many of the bills including the anti-terrorism bill to be brought by the government violate the human rights and democratic rights of this country and therefore the opposition should take all possible measures against them.
The leader of the opposition said that an alternative program should be prepared instead of PTA and ATA, to which Professor GL Peiris, Rauf Hakeem, Mano Ganeshan, Lakshman Kiriella, Imtiaz Bakir Marker, Chandima Weerakkodi, Nalaka Godaheva, Udaya Gammanpila, Weerasumana Weerasinghe, Gajendra Ponnambalam, Dayasiri. The opposition leader also requested a group of MPs, including Jayasekara, Gevidu Kumaratunga, to take appropriate papers for that purpose.
Mr. Dallas Alahapperuma said that actions are being taken regarding this situation in four ways: legal, national, social and international.
Mr. Dayasiri Jayasekara said that the proposal to be submitted to the Parliament regarding the International Monetary Fund and the Anti-Terrorism Act will be the primary focus of the meeting and everyone must agree to work together with all the opposition parties to defeat the Act.
Professor G. L. Peiris said that if the Anti-Terrorism Act is implemented, there may be a serious danger internationally and even the European Commission will oppose it at this critical moment.
Mr. Lakshman Kiriella said that these bills are drafted by private lawyers rather than the Attorney General’s Department.
Mr. Mano Ganesan said that the Anti-Terrorism Act is the result of an effort to make the President a legal dictator.
Mr. Gajendra Kumar Ponnambalam said that it is extremely important to prepare a specific time frame in protesting this bill.
Mr. Rauf Hakeem said that there should be an effective discussion about this bill at the meeting of the sectoral committees.
Chandima Weerakkodi member of parliament said that the opposition to this bill should not be to keep the anti-terrorism act, but to abolish both these acts and implement an anti-terrorism act to be implemented in developed countries.
MP Gevindu Kumaratunga said that there should be pressure to withdraw this bill completely.
Mr. Udaya Gammanpila said that it is clear that everyone is against this bill, and now it is necessary to reach an agreement on the measures to be taken against it.
Mr. Imtiaz Bakir Markar was appointed as the convenor of the opposition political party unity in the Parliament with the agreement of the opposition leader and other party leaders of the opposition in order to continue the related general agreement work.
It was suggested that the media should be widely informed about the anti-democratic bills to be brought by the government, including the Anti-Terrorism Act, and Mr. Imtiaz Bakir Markar was assigned that task.
