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People are eagerly awaiting an end to the existing political culture in which hatred, anger and jealousy has developed towards each other, and look forward towards the dawning of a new political era.

As a preliminary step towards achieving this objective, with sincere and genuine intentions the Prime Minister has decided to appoint Oversight Committees which would give certain powers to the members of the opposition as well. These views were expressed by Prof. G.L. Peiris, Minister of Enterprise Development, Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion, Minister of Constitutional Affairs at a re-launching of produce by Lanka Cement Limited, which comes under the Ministry, at Lighthouse Hotel, Galle.

H.G. Sirisena-Chief Minister Southern Province, Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena-Minister of Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Refugees, Ananda Kularatne-Minister of Southern Development, Hemakumara Nanayakkara-Minister of Agricultural Technology and Crop Productivity, MP for Galle District, Lionel Premasiri-Mayor of Galle, well-known athlete Susanthika Jayasinghe, including local agents for cement in the Ruhuna region, were present on this occasion.

Minister Prof. Peiris said What the government expects through Oversight Committees is to create a situation whereby the wealth of experience and valuable ideas of the Members of the Opposition could be made use of for the benefit of the country.

Frankly speaking what the Opposition could do in Parliament today, is very limited.

The Opposition can only address parliament and criticize. This is a fault of the existing system and not of the Opposition. In other words, a weakness in the Parliamentary system and tradition. There are Members in Opposition who have been in politics for over 30 years. Within them there is a feeling as to why the Parliament, society do not make use of their ideas. In such situations, it is humanly possible that one would choose to be involved in undesirable, destructive processes.

If we create an environment in which one could, whilst maintaining his or her dignity and self-respect, get involved in a process desirable, in the interest of the Nation, there is every possibility of establishing political stability putting aside all differences, hatred and prejudices. This is the objective of the Prime Minister in the proposed activity, whereby, after full consideration due recognition will be given to the ideas of the members of the opposition in the formulation and implementation of Policies.

The existing Preferential Voting system is a disaster. This system will automatically encourage jealousy and hatred. In the Preferential Voting system it is not the two parties that are contesting but those in the parties. Hatred, jealousy, grows within the parties. If we are to hold a referendum on this system, whatever party they may belong to, 95% will opt to changing the system. The reason is it creates tension and a disastrous situation in the country.

An opportune proposal for changing the Preferential Voting system was presented in Parliament by Dinesh Goonewardena, which was seconded by Minister Karu Jayasuriya. We not only accepted this proposal wholeheartedly, but expressed our readiness to go even further by appointing a Parliament Select Committee to be headed by Dinesh Goonewardena.

The government alone cannot change the existing situation. If we need the cooperation of the Opposition, the necessary powers should be given to the opposition. In all such activities, the government is prepared to join hands with the Opposition. In regard to the 14 Oversight Committees the government is prepared to handover the Chairmanships of committees on public funds, public petitions, power and energy, education, irrigation, roadways, to the Opposition.

A power-hungry government will never think of a plan such as this. No one forced us to do this as we have the majority in Parliament. Without handling it all alone, our idea is to devolving power. I am extremely pleased that Chief Minister of Southern Province H.H. Sirisena is present today. It is a good sign. We all need cement. There is no party discrimination here. We should get together in all activities such as Education, health, housing, etc.

If we love our country, if we sincerely intend developing our country, the tendency should be for all to get together. Signifying this need. I once again appreciate very much the presence of the Chief Minister at this moment.

The Minister, whilst thanking Anil Koswatte-Chairman of Lanka Cement Ltd and its Board of Directors for a smooth operation of activities having adopted modern marketing strategies, assured the Chairman and the staff of the fullest cooperation of the Ministry and the government in its future endeavours.

Chief Minister-Southern province H.G. Sirisena - This is a special day for the South. Our own have come to Galle city with gifts and essential items for those displaced by the recent floods. On behalf of the people of Ruhuna I wish them well. We should all cooperate with Lanka Cement Ltd. which has a 100% ownership and locally administered. There is also talk among people about peace in the country. Peace is essential but since the signing of the ceasefire agreement the LTTE has acted against it over 1000 times.

But the government has abided by the agreement. The government has sacrificed a lot towards peace. But the problem is the LTTE has no faith in us. This is the reason for a breakdown in talks too. The international community had no confidence in the Sinhala people. But the government has been able to change this sttitude of the international community, as they have accepted that the government is doing its utmost in order to establish peace in the country.

There is something very important to say in the presence of Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris who is in the forefront of negotiations and Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena.Minister of Southern Development Ananda Kularatne said there is tremendous development activity in connection with the Galle Port, International Airport, Oil refinery and power station, carried on in the South today. Cement is thus needed in large quantities. There are about 18 varieties of cement in the country today. But they are not government owned It takes time to know the real quality of cement. As a government owned concern Lanka Cement can be trusted for its quality.

Minister of Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Refugee Affairs Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena said today the Northern Tamil speaking citizens visit the South on pilgrimage to Kataragama.

The Southerners visit Nagadipa in the North. The relations between North and South are once again building up. The wrong impression that the Northerners had of those in the South, no longer exists.

Lanka Cement Ltd. had invited all political representatives and leaders of the South to this occasion. Regrets and good wishes from Jinadasa Kitulegoda-MP- JVP and Ven. Baddegama Samitha Thera and other political representatives were read during the ceremony. Lanka Cement had made arrangements to have cement distributed for re-construction work necessitated due to the recent floods. These were handed over to Secretaries by Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris and other Ministers present.

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