JVP calls on GR to reveal ACSA details

 JVP MP Sunil Handunnett

• Says GR used national security to cover up corruption 
• Public security can only be attained through promoting harmony

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) yesterday called on Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa for details of the Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA) with the United States (US) to be revealed to the public, and to provide an explanation of why it was signed. 

The National Front for Good Governance (NFGG) yesterday pledged their support to National People’s Power (NPP) presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the New Town Hall. 

Addressing the NFGG members, Parliamentarian Sunil Handunnetti charged that the Rajapaksa regime had used the term ‘national security’ to cover up their corruption, and enter into harmful agreements with foreign nations.

“They put forward terms such as national security, patriotism to get away with all their corruption. But they should explain why they signed the ACSA in 2007. That agreement allowed US troops to enter into Sri Lankan territory, which made the country a colony of US,” he claimed. 

Handunnetti charged that the Rajapaksas had put the country’s sovereignty in danger. He noted they would reveal more misconducts of the Rajapaksas and their effects on the country’s sovereignty and the economy. 

He argued that public security cannot be assured by deploying military personnel around the country. According to Handunnetti, public security can only be attained under the leadership of their presidential candidate. 

“Public security is not stationing military personnel in every corner of the country. The real meaning of public security is if we can go to a place without any security checking. Imagine, we land on a country, but the entire airport is filled with military personnel, do we feel safe in such situation?” Handunnetti argued. 

According to Handunnetti, public security can only be assured through promoting understanding among all ethnic and religious groups. He pointed out that the previous governments had failed to promote such values among the different ethnic and religious groups. 

“We will assure public security through promoting harmony among all ethnic groups, and tell them the importance of loving and respecting each other. Only our presidential candidate is capable of doing that,” he said. (NS)

Pic by Lasantha Kumara