JVP demands more transparency on Presidential Commissions

• Calls for update on Presidential Commission into Easter Sunday 
• Wants clarification on whether report will be presented to Parliament 
• Also insists interim report by Presidential Commission to look into corruption of present Govt. be tabled 

By Ashwin Hemmathagama – Our Lobby Correspondent

Opposition lawmaker Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday criticised the Government for its lack of transparency in not keeping Parliament informed on the progress of the Presidential Commission appointed to look into the Easter Sunday attacks, and requested clarification be given on whether the report will be tabled in Parliament. “Initially, it was held that the findings of the Committee will be made public within two weeks. In the meantime, it was also announced the Committee has collected statements from the former Secretary of Defence and the Inspector General of Police. It was reported in media the Committee has concluded finding evidence by May. 

This Committee report is important to know the details of the incidents. In the absence, certain groups and individuals have started spreading false information,” he said.

According to MP Dissanayake, the special Presidential Commission commenced its work on 22 April and an interim report was handed to the President. “During the Sri Lanka Freedom Party meeting held recently at the BMICH, the President announced receiving the interim report of the Presidential Commission. When will be the report of the Special Investigations Commission be presented? Will it be presented in Parliament? What are the findings and the recommendations in the interim report? What are the steps taken based on the interim report? What are the steps the Government anticipates to stop the false information and to announce true information? Parliament has a right to know these details of this report, along with the findings and the recommendations. It is the responsibility of the Government to give a complete answer to the questions the Opposition raises,” charged MP Dissanayake.

Apart from the report of the special Presidential Commission appointed to investigate the Easter Sunday attack, MP Dissanayake requested a copy of the Presidential Commission appointed to investigate the frauds of the current Government by President Maithripala Sirisena.

In response, Lands and Parliamentary Reforms Minister and Chief Government Whip Gayantha Karunatileka, reading out the reply received from the Presidential Secretariat for the questions raised by MP Dissanayake, held the special Presidential Commission on the Easter Sunday attacks has concluded its investigations on 31 May, and the final report is now being prepared.

“The final report of the Special Presidential Commission will be presented to the President soon. Attorney General will give his recommendations on steps that are required based on the report. In order to disseminate true and reliable information, the Spokespersons of the Police and the three armed forces are talking to media on a daily basis to keep people informed,” he added. (AH)