ITAK Group Leader Criticises Foreign Minister Over Rejected Parliamentary Questions

Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) Parliamentary Group Leader Shanakiyan Rasamanickam MP addressed Parliament today during the debate on regulations under the Petroleum Resources Act, raising critical concerns over foreign affairs, energy policy, constitutional amendments, and anti-corruption legislation.

Foreign Minister Rejects Standing Order 27(2) Questions on Sivarasa Anojan Case

Rasamanickam questioned why the Foreign Minister rejected his questions submitted under Standing Order 27(2) regarding the Government’s handling of the Sivarasa Anojan case in Saudi Arabia.

He asserted that answering these questions would clarify the timeline of the Government's intervention, legal representation, the appeal process, and official communication with Anojan's family, while countering allegations of delay or inaction.

Although the Foreign Minister noted that he had already addressed the matter in a prior statement, Rasamanickam maintained that specific timeline issues remain unresolved:

Appeal Timeline and Fees: Rasamanickam stated that although an appeal fee of approximately Rs. 1.8 million was paid on 12 August, official government action through the Embassy took place only on 15, 16, and 17 September.

Furthermore, the Saudi court did not permit the appeal submitted by the Sri Lankan Government to be considered.

Family Communication: He noted that Anojan's family was not adequately informed about court proceedings or the identity of the legal counsel, amidst reports that the lawyer who filed the appeal failed to appear during proceedings.

Government Reimbursement: While the Minister indicated that the paid appeal fee would be reimbursed, Rasamanickam stated the money should not have been collected from the family in the first place.

Reiterating ITAK’s stance that Anojan must be saved through all available means, Rasamanickam pledged full cooperation with state efforts.

He requested the inclusion of ITAK Ampara District MP Kaveendran Kodeeswaran in the multi-party parliamentary delegation travelling to Saudi Arabia and announced plans to discuss the case with the President while seeking assistance through Indian political channels, foreign diplomatic avenues, and diaspora organisations.

Tightening Bidding Rules for Petroleum Exploration

Turning to regulations under the Petroleum Resources Act, Rasamanickam urged the Government to establish stringent pre-qualification criteria to attract established global energy firms such as Shell and BP.

He cautioned against allowing speculative companies without technical expertise or financial backing to win exploration rights.

He warned that such firms might leverage Sri Lankan exploration licenses solely to boost corporate profiles or raise capital on foreign stock exchanges without carrying out genuine exploration, leaving the country with no economic benefit.

Warnings on the 22nd Amendment

Regarding the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, Rasamanickam acknowledged that the Government possesses the parliamentary majority required to pass the legislation following the Supreme Court's determination.

However, he warned the administration against viewing the passage of the amendment as a final victory, stating that "passing the 22nd Amendment is not the end; it is the beginning," and advised the Government to heed the experiences of past administrations.

Welcome for Supreme Court Ruling on Anti-Corruption Bill

Rasamanickam welcomed the Supreme Court’s determination on the Anti-Corruption (Amendment) Bill, which identified several provisions as inconsistent with the Constitution.

He highlighted the ruling on Clause 17, which sought to allow remand requests based on certification by the Director-General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.

The Supreme Court determined that implementing the clause in its proposed form would require approval by the people at a referendum. Rasamanickam stressed the necessity of judicial independence and urged Parliament to thoroughly evaluate how statutory powers could be applied in practice before enacting legislation.