The former prime minister was criticized the complete failure of the task force set up under the command of the Army Chief to control the deadly epidemic.
“We cannot move forward with this task force which has failed already. The situation getting worsened” the UNP leader said while addressing parliament for the first time since the government headed by Gotabhaya Rajapaksa came to power.
After taking oaths as a Member of Parliament yesterday (23) morning, he emphasized in Parliament that the use of the Army to govern the country is a militarization of the country.
Gen. Shavendra Silva was appointed by President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa last August as the head of the National task force for the prevention of the spread of Covid 19.
Subsequently, in January this year, 25 Army officers were appointed in charge of health care throughout the island.
International human rights activist groups have strongly opposed for the controlling Covid without even issuing an official gazette by military commander who has been banned by the United States over war crimes allegations.
Ranil Wickremesinghe, the party leader who was appointed to the UNP’s national list seat at the last general election more than a year ago, was sworn in before Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena today.
In his first speech, the former Prime Minister strongly criticized the government’s efforts to control the Covid epidemic and accused the government of acting outside the country’s constitution.
He warned of militarization of the country beyond civilian administration, adding that controlling of Covid should be carried out under the Cabinet.
“According to our constitution, this responsibility should be with the cabinet. Cabinet should be responsible to the parliament. Why aren’t these powers given to the cabinet? ” the senior people’s representative questioned in the parliament. The UNP leader also mentioned in the constitutional law that related to this.
Ranil Wickremesinghe called on former President and current Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to accept those responsibilities.
Ranil Wickremesinghe, Attorney-at-Law, pointing out that the Army Commander is the head of the department, further questioned the powers of the Army Commander to issue orders to secretaries.
“Secretaries can give orders only to the Minister or the Cabinet. The secretaries give orders to the heads of departments according to the status of the ministers. Why are these powers not working? ”
The UNP leader also criticized Army Commander General Shavendra Silva for addressing a recent BOI discussion.
Gen. Shavendra Silva, who was appointed as the Army Commander under the government of the former Prime Minister, celebrated his 57th birthday yesterday.