• Asserts establishing new PTF during election is breach of norms
• Says issues covered by PTF are national policy issues, should first be debated
• Argues legality and composition of PTF; says such activity should come under civilian purview

 The United National Party (UNP) yesterday expressed concern over the recent appointment of the “Presidential Task Force (PTF) to build a secure country, disciplined, virtuous and lawful society” through an Extraordinary Gazette on 2 June. 

The formation of the PTF during the run-up to the General Election was criticised by the UNP as being in breach of the accepted practice.

“The formation of this broad-based Presidential Task Force once again shows the President choosing to ignore the norms,” UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said in a press release yesterday, pointing out that new organisations are established only when faced with grave circumstances.  

The UNP stressed that the issues which are to be tackled by the PTF were national policy issues and should be discussed during an election period, prior to be handed over to a newly formed Government post-election.  

Questioning the legality of the PTF, the UNP stated that in the event this Task Force issues any instructions to Government institutions, they will fall under the category of “illegal activities of social groups which are violating the law.” 

Kariyawasam argued that according to the constitution of Sri Lanka only the Cabinet of Ministers, the Prime Minister and President, or a Cabinet Minister through his/her Ministry Secretary, can issue instructions to institutions under their purview.

“According to the Constitution of Sri Lanka, only the Cabinet of Ministers, the Prime Minister and President, or a Cabinet Minister through his/her Ministry Secretary can issue instructions to institutions under their purview. Furthermore, specific laws provide the power to Cabinet Ministers to issue instructions directly to institutions specified in the law,” Kariyawasam stated.  

The UNP also questioned as to why five separate intelligence agencies are required to serve on this PTF. “The Chief of the National Intelligence Services is tasked with coordinating all other intelligence agencies in the country, and as such his presence alone in this task force would be sufficient,” Kariyawasam opined, pointing out that apart from the acting-Inspector General of Police and two Deputy Inspector Generals, the composition of the Task Force is made up of retired or serving members of the armed forces. 

The UNP also raises the matter of the absence of the DIG-in-charge of the Police Narcotics Unit, the Commissioner-General of Prisons, the Commissioner-General of Immigration and Emigration, the Attorney General, the Sri Lanka Bar Association, Ministry of Health and other relevant medical officials.

SJB raises concerns over creeping militarisation