by Saman Indrajith Courtesy: Island

November 20, 2016, 9:46 pm

Joint Opposition and MEP Leader Dinesh Gunawardena, in Parliament, on Saturday, warned that there might be a military coup if the government didn’t take immediate action to arrest the rapid deterioration of democracy in the country.

Participating in the third reading of budget debate on the expenditure of heads of the President’s and Prime Minister’s offices, the JO leader said that democratic values were eroding under the present regime. When the JO leader made the warning, President Maithripala Sirisena, too, was in Parliament.

“Although the government members boast of pruning of powers of the executive presidency, the post has gained some more powers. None in this country will approve of the way the government attacked disabled ex-servicemen,” MP Gunawardena said, requesting the government not to allow repetition of such unfortunate incidents.

“The government has not given the Joint Opposition the status it deserves in Parliament. Our privileges have been breached. We have been deprived of our rights as representatives of the people. We are not given due time in debates and thereby our voice has been suppressed.

“When you deprive the Opposition of its democratic rights democracy suffers.  You do not hold elections. How can one say this country is democratic when you keep postponing elections in this manner?

“Does the Financial Crimes Investigation Division act according to the principles of democracy? The FCID follows the orders issued to them by a committee functioning under the Prime Minister. If this situation continues destroying democracy, soon there could be a military coup.”

Deputy Minister of Social Empowerment and Welfare Ranjan Ramanayake: “You are talking of the failed coup attempt of Jan 08, 2015. We have information that several others including Mohan Peiris, Daya Ratnayake, Karunaratne Hangawatte and Udaya Gammanpila plotted on that night to launch a military coup so stay in power. Fortunately, our war heroes did not fall in line. We do not think our security forces can be used for a such a disgraceful act.”