Parliament

Government denies neo-liberal policies - Vasudeva Nanayakkara

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Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa presided when Parliament met at 9.30 a.m. yesterday following the presentation of papers and oral questions, Parliament took up the second reading of the budget 2010

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Irangika RANGE Sandasen MARASINGHE and Disna MUDALIGE

Mangala Samaraweera (UNP)

This could have been the most important budget, since it was presented after the war. It could have heralded a new era to the country. The government deserves the credit for ending the war and giving the people in the country a relief. But they use this credit over and over again to hold the power. They also use it to disturb the democracy and law in the country. I believe that Minister Basil Rajapaksa has the strength to take the country forward while protecting the democracy. As a National priority, the impartiality of the judiciary must be looked in.

The Government is trying to solve international issues in a crude and brutish manner. They should be handled sensitively. If the G.S.P. plus is not received, the economy of the country will be affected, and thousands will be without any livelihood.

The 17th amendment is a document that all parties have agreed. But, today it is considered as a threat to the independence and sovereignty.

I request the Government to allow international agencies to come to this country to look into the allegations made against the Government.

Water supply and Drainage Minister - Dinesh Gunawardena:

This budget is presented to usher a bright future to the people in this country, who gave us 144 members in the parliament, and an excellent victory to the President. Mangala Samaraweera M.P. mentioned that there is no democracy in this country. We have been able to hold elections in every province of the country to select people's representatives.

The Government is concerned about the resettlement of the displaced people. Is this not democracy?

We don't allow other countries to intervene into our internal affairs as Mangala Samaraweera suggests. There was a legal regulation that no other country can disturb the law of our country.

The budget will achieve economic victories. We want to encourage our own entrepreneurs and companies. Any organization cannot impose restrictions on us to turn back the country's progress.

Sri Lanka is following the guidelines of the ILO. Our country is ahead of many other nations from this.

Mangala Samaraweera is talking and taking examples from Western countries. What he wants to show is that our economy is falling down. It is greatly thriving towards success.

Sri Lanka is no more a third world country. The life standard of the villagers are improved with the promotion of agriculture. The Government has allocated Rs. 25 billion for drinking water supply from the budget. The transportation of the country has been improved. Today, a large number of people visit North and East. 'The Eastern Province has added their proportion to the economy.

There is a revival among the people in the country. Disregarding the race, all have come together to work for development.

The country has won the food crisis. The efficient management of the agricultural sector contributed to it. The population will increase upto 8 billion. The country's leadership has made all the arrangements to face this.

The country is also ready to face climate change, drinking water crisis and many other challenges. The government has created program to make the future generation equipped with modern technology. They will be able to face all challenges since we have made a secure path for them to follow.

Many are trying to hinder the path of development of a small country. But this positive move of the country cannot be stopped.

Shivashakthi Anandan (TNA): Cultivators are unable to engage in their livelihood activities due to lack of facilities in the North and East. It is only an allowance of Rs. 3,500 provided for the displaced people. The Government should provide proper compensation to these people. IDPs do not receive pure water and enough food.

Most of IDPs still living in schools. They have been denied their rights of living in their own homes.

The Government is still celebrating the war victory, but it has not provided facilities and compensation properly to the civilians affected by the war.

Most of the schools have not been re-opened.

The people face many hardships due to destruction of internal roads, toilets, street lamps, power transmission lines, school buildings, hospitals, and religious places.

A. H. M. Azwer takes the Chair.

Labour Relations and Productivity Promotion Minister Gamini Lokuge: Sri Lanka is a liberated country. All must approved the fact that we have come out from the fear of terrorism. Trincomalee, Jaffna, Batticaloa which were affected by war are now re-opened for tourists. Thousands of visitors are arriving Jaffna daily.

New businesses are booming in these areas. The Government has created an environment conducive for new investments. There are certain problems which have to be attended. The UNPers know how it was hard to accept the conditions imposed by the IMF when they applied for loans during their regime. But the present Government has been able to obtain huge amount of money with out submitting for any conditions. The country has reached into a correct path.

General Sarath Fonseka (DNA): The Government has not given any relief to the families of war heroes. Api Venuven Api Fund was established to uplift the wellbeing and welfare of war heroes. I seek support from Sri Lankans living in abroad to contribute to this Fund. The Government should pay their concern on the welfare of disabled soldiers.

The prices of essentials are going up. The salary of the people are the same. The price of bread was increased to build the nutrition level.

The Budget is just a cheat done with numbers. None of the past Budgets have reached their expected targets.

Industry and Commerce Minister Rishard Bathuideen: After the war, the people in the North and East are experiencing a great relief.

The Government resettled more than 200,000 IDPs. The Government provided all facilities to the IDPs while they were in relief camps. Their request was to resettle in their own lands. That request is fulfilled.

More development projects are implemented in the North and East areas under the Economic Development Ministry.

The people are very happy with the projects that are in progress. The international community is paying their attention towards our country for investments.

The country should exploit the situation to propel the development drive forward.

Earl Gunasekara (UNP): The total revenue of the Government for the year 2010 is Rs. 817 billion and 90 percent is earned by means of tax. Price of one kilo of paddy is Rs. 18 or 20. But a kilo of nadu rice is Rs. 58 or Rs. 60. A kilo of samba rice is Rs. 70 at the market. But the profit is not taken by the paddy cultivator.

The fertiliser subsidy is also a failure. Although fertiliser is provided at Rs. 350, farmers are not provided it at the correct time. The fertiliser is useless when it is not provided when it is needed.

Vasudeva Nanayakkara (UPFA): In any country where there was a civil war, the people in the war torn area had to face many difficulties. The same situation was created in our country. But the Government has taken measures to solve them. Most of the IDPs resettled. Some Muslims, Sinhalese and Tamils who were chased away from North and East to be resettled.

Earl Gunasekara complained of the prices. Does the UNP have any solution. The Government has solutions for them. The low income earners will be given a ration. This system functioned until 1977. The UNP changed it and provided goods at the same price for all. The UNP's policy was to allow those who are rich to lead a luxurious life and let the poor to die.

The Government has deviated from the neo-liberal economic policy.

With the imperialist notions, foreign agencies are trying to move the country downwards.

There is a gap between the labourers and the higher class of the country.

If we can reduce the gap, the purchasing power of the people will rise.

The Government should give more importance to the labour in the country. It must give attention to the society, rather than the market.

Deputy Speaker Priyankara Jayaratne takes the Chair

Sudarshani Fernandopulle (UPFA): The country lost many things due to the war.

The GDP has grown to US $2,053 in 2009. It was US $1,062 in 2004. About 80 percent of the houses have received electricity by 2009. The Power and Energy Ministry will provide electricity for all in 2012. Due to accurate economic policies under President Mahinda Rajapaksa's leadership, the country was able to face the global economic crisis. No bank was closed as a result of it. Malnutrition has decreased considerably.

Higher Education Deputy Minister Nandimithra Ekanayake: The Government provided employment for 41,000 graduates at once. We treated them well.

We have given prominence to the right thing at the right time. We have to look at transport, ports, power, plantations, highways as well. Agriculture is given higher consideration by this Budget. There is an excess rice production. Paddy cultivation was ruined under the UNP regime, with the open economy.

The underworld gangs emerged, drug usage increased and culture was deteriorated due to the unrestricted freedom.

Rosy Senanayake MP: The people in villages are unable to drink tea since milk is easily available in most of the villages.

Akila Viraj Kariyawasam (UNP): It is during the UNP regime that most of the relief programs to the people were started.

Nishantha Muthuhettigama (UPFA): It is the President that secured the rights of Fonseka, when he was about to retire, by promoting to the Army Commander position.

It is seen that the rights of all soldiers are being secured by the present Government. Not a single job was offered to unemployed youth during the UNP regime. But we have successfully addressed the unemployment problem. We hope to achieve more economic goals in the next few years. We will provide jobs to unemployed graduates within the next few months.

Dinesh Gankanda (UNP): The incompetence of the Government has clearly reflected through this budget. We have never seen a budget earlier like this which offers nothing to the people.

Unemployment has increased to 21 percent. It proves that our education system does not target the job market both nationally and internationally.

Water Supply and Drainage: Deputy Minister Nirupama Rajapaksa

This is a people friendly budget. The Government under the able leadership of the President was able to face challenges and work for economic development while fighting the war. The policies and programs in the 'Mahinda Chinthana' has begun to transform our economy from a stagnant to an expanding and progressive one.

I am confident that apart from paddy cultivation the recovery in livestock and the fisheries sector, the growth in plantation, agriculture and industries will help our economy to grow immensely.

J.R.P. Suriyapperuma (UPFA):

For the first time after 500 years we can go around the country.

Now 200,000 people go to Nagadeepa during weekends.

A large number of schoolchildren come to Parliament to see it. Earlier they did not allow the children to step out of the house, for fear of LTTE terrorists. Now country's production has increase for the first time in the history. Vegetable production has increased by five fold now.

A survey has revealed that children between nine and 14 has increased their stature. We have to export our local productions and improve the economy.

Manusha Nanayakkara (UNP): This country and her people always wanted freedom. After freedom in 1948 again we had an issue. And now the war is over. But still the question arises whether we are a free nation. At my maiden speech I thank the people of Galle who voted me to this House.

My stance is that our country should have a national policy for education, health, economy etc. to develop this country.

Deputy Chairman of Committees takes the Chair.

Thilanga Sumathipala (UPFA): When we study the speeches by the members of the Opposition it seems that they are talking totally forgetting the war situation that prevailed in the country for years. But the reality is otherwise.

Our priority was to solve the terrorist menace in this country. Now it is over. Whatever the TNA members say our Government has paid its attention on the people of North and East. If they have any suggestion they can make it to the Government and work with it to improve the living standards of those people and make this country a better place.

The TNA has not changed its stance since 1970s. Whatever you say the mostly affected from the war were the 19 million people in this country irrespective of their race Sinhala, Tamil or Muslim. This Budget is a practical and a pragmatic one.

P. Ariyanethiran (TNA): Now the war is over. But still there is no political solution to the problem.

Irrigation and Water Resources Management Deputy Minister S.M. Chandrasena:

We should not judge this budget in a narrow sense. The proper background needed for the development has been created from it. All the five districts in the North are given attention from the budget.

The road system and irrigation must be developed to take the country forward. Now the Moragahakanda reservoir is being built under the present government.

Earlier all waited until the budget increased the price of cigarettes and liquor. It is from the taxes collected from them that the economy was managed.

But we have deviated from them.

Now, we see people who were in the habit of eating bread converted to consume rice.

Let us all get together as one nation to work for the country.

Nimal Weerasinghe (UNP):

This is a budget that satisfies the needs of the IMF. No salary hike was given to the people, but the prices of several essential goods went up, about two weeks before the budget. Today the government is undergoing a debt crisis. To pay one loan they obtain another one.

I believe that the money allocated for education is not sufficient. We have a higher rate of literacy, and this should be maintained.

The loss of GSP plus benefit will adversely affect the apparel industry.

Construction Engineering Service Housing and Common Amenities Deputy Minister - Lasantha Alagiyawanna:

This is the 64th budget. Among them, 34 were presented by the UNP and the rest by our side.

Eventhough the budget was scheduled to be presented last November, we had to postpone it due to elections.

This budget should be measured by the services it render to the people. It is from the 2011 budget we intend to give our promised benefits to the people. This is just to get the approval for revenues and expenditure for the coming four months.

The people in the country knows that corruption, bribery and robbery are discussed only on election platforms, and there is no genuine feeling to stop them.

When the stock market was decreasing, the opposition talked much about the importance of the stockmarket. But when it is growing, the opposition is silent. The stockmarket showed a rapid growth in the recent past.

We carry out the proposals in the Mahinda Chinthana Idiri Dakma policy. It is not limited to a booklet. We use it, and all the Ministries have a copy of it.

A.H.M. Azwer takes the Chair

Lohan Ratwatte (UPFA):

The present patriotic and dedicated leadership will definitely usher a bright future to the country. Even now we see the good omens of it. Today, the President has been able to extend his power to the North as well as the South in the same way. The Budget proposals are very commendable. It includes short-term and long-term plans which lead the country forward. The policies of the Government are transparent and progressive.

Equal opportunities are offered to everybody to improve lives.

Dr. Ramesh Pathirana (UPFA): We have been able to maintain a economic growth of 3.5 percent in 2009. Our per capita income has gone up. President Mahinda Rajapaksa has already created a atmosphere to make Sri Lanka the Wonder of Asia.

The country maintains a high literacy rate due to free education. Thanks to free health facilities, we maintain the lowest malnutrition rate compared to other countries in Asia. A number of roads and highways are being constructed. With the completion of the Matara-Colombo highway, the travel time between Galle to Colombo will come down to 45 minutes.

Many power plants under construction will strengthen the national electricity grid.

R Aluvihare (UNP): We do not consider this Budget as a people friendly budget. There were several elections within the last five years. The Government gave many pledges to the people through these elections. But non of these pledges have been fulfilled yet. This Budget has been prepared to please the IMF. The IMF releases money with several conditions attached to it.

The Government has already bowed down for these conditions. Prices of essential items will further increase due to this agreement.

State Resources and Enterprise Development Deputy Minister Sarath Kumara Gunaratne: General Sarath Fonseka is a glorious person. But the Opposition tarnished his goodwill and glory. Recently, we visited the North and East. These areas are coming up with massive development now.

Janasabha is a very famous concept which is implemented in India. This is a timely concept which the country needs now. We want Gam Sabha to decide what the villages require.

The demining process is very successfully going ahead in the liberated areas. People are really enjoying the freedom achieved by the war heroes. We can see the development activities taking place in the entire country now.

Sanjeewa Samarasinghe (UNP): The budget should be a plan for the next year. But we can see this is not a budget but only a temporary plan.

After terrorism was over, the Government should embarked on a massive development drive.

As a responsible Government, it is necessary to release General Sarath Fonseka.

The Government should not avenge Sarath Fonseka who pioneered the elimination of terrorism.

The Government should abstain from confrontational politics. Compared to many other countries, our economic growth rate is very low.

Sujeewa Senasinghe (UNP): When we get more loans from China, we become dependent on China. There is no salvation thereafter. The fact that General Fonseka is in jail hurts the country.

The flyovers were built at several places in the country by spending a large sum of money could have been done cheaper if the materials were purchased locally.

Child Development and Women's Affairs Deputy Minister MLAM Hisbullah: We hoped that the economic experts in the Opposition will point out the areas that we need to improve or concentrate more. But they just pointed out printing mistakes.

The resettlement process is going on very rapidly. There are some minor issues. We don't reject that. But it is natural after 30 years of war.

Schools, roads, public places and houses which were destroyed completely have to be rebuilt again.

We have also secured a seven percent economic growth. The Government is spending for fertilizer as well as free education. These have immensely contributed to the accelerated development in the country. About 70 percent of the debts we obtained are used to develop the war affected areas. Large scale development projects are being initiated in the East as well. To carry out a good governance in the country, let us all get-together disregarding whether we are in the Opposition or Government.

Ranjith Zoysa (UPFA): The UNP which was totally dependent on international aid and loans, today direct false criticism on the Government saying that this Budget is presented to fulfil the desires of the IMF.

The UNP continuously shouted that fertilizer aid will be curtailed soon after the election. But until today we continuously distribute fertilizer at Rs. 350. As a result of this, agriculture has developed significantly. Today the country is self sufficient from rice. We also buy them at a good price from the farmers. It is during the UNP rule that farmers committed suicide unable to sell their paddy.

Ajith Perera (UNP): We also have a right to show the mistakes, wrong doings of the Government. That is the Opposition's duty.

There is a problem regarding the judiciary system.

A question remains whether justice prevails in the country. Commenting on the figures in the Budget is ridiculous, since they are unreal. The Budget has curtailed money allocated for the Judiciary. As a result the poor in the country will not be ale to experience justice.

There is no word about any improvement in the judiciary system. In the same manner that the education, transport and health sector are being developed, the judiciary system must be given attention as well.

S.C. Muthukumarana (UPFA): As promised in the Mahinda Chintana, the President initially ushered an era of independence to the country. Then agriculture was given priority as mentioned in his policy. We have become successful in that task as well.

Earlier there was city based development. But under the present leadership, remote areas and villages were given prominence. The basic facilities of those areas were improved rapidly, and are still being improved.

A large sum of money is allocated for the health sector from this Budget. Even the ayurveda sector has received the due consideration. It was reported that even the Indian cricketers have come here to obtain ayurvedic treatment.

Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera (UPFA): I look at this Budget in the eyes of a senior officer. We see a revival in the country after the war.

A higher percentage of money allocated for the President is used to settle foreign debts. A higher percentage of the money allocated for defence is used to pay the wages of the Security Forces.

Disaster Management Deputy Minister W. B. Ekanayake: We know what happened in villages and areas close to the North and East.

Hundreds of people were killed in Anuradhapura near the Sri Maha Bodhiya.

The LTTE reckoned undefeatable was defeated. The UNP humiliated the forces saying they were going to Pamankada and Medawachchiya.

But the Government led by President defeated the LTTE.

Baseer Segudaud (UNP): It is not an exaggeration that development was stagnated due to the prolonged war. Now the war is over. But the promised war to economic development has not yet commenced.