by Namini Wijedasa
President Chandrika Kumaratunga yesterday advised her parliamentarians to show their strength in Parliament more often than they did during the past few years and to prove themselves an effective opposition to the ruling United National Front government.

Kumaratunga presided over the People’s Alliance Central Committee meeting held at her official residence in Fort yesterday, political sources said. The discussion, which lasted around three hours, also led to the formation of five committees to inquire into alleged violence and harassment in the provinces during the recently concluded presidential election.

"Reports are still coming in and we want to coordinate with police and other authorities so that we have a comprehensive file," said one of the members who attended the meeting. "We also decided to take it up in parliament at the first opportunity." The committees will also summon PA party organisers in all the districts.

The PA central committee maintained the opinion that their own candidates and supporters had been targeted by the United National Party-led United National Front.

Returning to the topic of parliamentary attendance, the member said that the general opinion was that it should improve. "It was felt that we should be a bit more responsible," he noted.

Poor attendance was the despair of PA Chief Whip Richard Pathirana who was often forced to answer questions on behalf of his cabinet colleagues or deputies during the oral session. He once sent a circular to PA ministers and deputies, instructing them to be present in the House. He also remarked in the House that huge quantities of food were going waste in parliament because of high absenteeism.

The PA central committee decided that the party should herewith show a more vibrant face in parliament.