12 February, 2011 - Published 12:52 GMT

Ranil slams military courts

The leader of the opposition in Sri Lanka has stressed the importance of enhancing the parliamentary powers to eradicate corruption and strengthening democracy.

Addressing the Asian regional conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) in Colombo, Ranil Wickramasinghe said his party has proposed for the establishment of parliamentary oversight committees.

“We find that the present consultative committees headed by ministers are ineffective,” he told the meeting.

Mr Wickramasinghe also stressed the need to protect MPs’ rights from “external pressures such as military courts,” in an apparent criticism at the conviction of former army commander Sarath Fonseka by military courts which resulted with Mr Fonseka losing his parliamentary seat.

Prime Minister DM Jayaratne, who declared open the summit, said poverty alleviation, natural disasters and climate change are the biggest challenges faced by the region.

He said the government has already implemented programmes to minimise the effects of the natural disasters.

The speaker of the Indian Lok Sabha, Meira Kumar, said the poverty is the “most daunting challenge” facing India and the whole region.

“India whole-heartedly supports initiatives to facilitate regional cooperation in confronting the challenges posed by natural disasters and we are ever keen to share our expertise and experience in the field with our neighbours,” she said.

Over 300 million people in India still live below the poverty line, she said, and explained the programmes launched by the Indian government to face the challenge.

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa also addressed the meeting on Saturday.