PSC on Easter Sunday attacks open to media

• Speaker Karu Jayasuriya decides proceedings can be covered by reporters after Kiriella proposal 

By Ashwin Hemmathagama, Our Lobby Correspondent

The proceedings of the Parliament Select Committee (PSC) appointed to investigate the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks will be opened for media, confirmed Speaker Karu Jayasuriya yesterday in Parliament.

Speaker Jayasuriya, in response to a Government request moved by Leader of the House Lakshman Kiriella proposing to sanction media presence, confirmed the provisions of the new Standing Orders have enabled the Chairman of each select committee to take the decision to invite reporters.

“The invitation should come from the Chairman of this particular Select Committee,” confirmed the Speaker, who held a new media division will be opened next month in Parliament as part of the efforts taken to keep the citizens informed.

Expressing the Government’s willingness to increase transparency in Parliament, Minister Kiriella said: “We don’t have anything to hide and will not help to wash dirt. This move will help put a stop to the spread of fake news. People will get to know the truth,” he added.

Confirming the importance of media presence in committees, Non-Cabinet Minister of Digital Infrastructure and Information Technology Ajith Perera said: “Speaker Karu Jayasuriya started the live telecast of the Parliament proceedings to keep people informed of what is taking place in Parliament. People do have a right to know about what is happening in committees as well. Not only during special occasions, but media should be allowed to all committees. 

However, United National Party lawmaker Prof. Ashu Marasinghe wanted Speaker Jayasuriya to sort some impediments he encountered in oversight committees. 

“There are certain impediments in allowing media to oversight committee proceedings. We need to clear these issues first. The changing of Standing Orders came to a standstill due to these issues. We have been highlighting this issue for three years. No matter what we do, people blame all Parliamentarians. The good work of the oversight committees are not published in the media and the citizens will not get to know them,” he added.Meanwhile, Speaker Jayasuriya informed the House that UNP MP Dr. Kavinda Jayawardana has resigned from the Select Committee appointed to investigate the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks. 

Filling the vacancies, Speaker appointed Minister of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Dr. Rajitha Senaratne and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna MP Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa to the Select Committee.

Talking to media, MP Dr. Jayawardana held that he finds it difficult to allocate time for the Select Committee proceedings whereas more rehabilitation work needs his attention with regards to those who got injured from Easter Sunday attacks in his electorate.