parliament

Lanka expects tourism boom - Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe

Irangika RANGE, Sandasen MARASINGHE and Disna MUDALIGE

Youth Affairs and Employment Deputy Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage: Though General Sarath Fonseka served in the Army for nearly 40 years, he has done nothing for the well-being and welfare of the soldiers. He is today engaged in a hateful politics. Sarath Fonseka is isolated today due to this reason. People who were around him now begun to leave him. Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa is always being criticised by him. He has forgot the fact that he became a hero because of the Defence Secretary. The President and Defence Secretary appointed him as the Army Commander. That’s why he got due credit and recognitions. Today he has become a invisible hand of the LTTE.

We have information of a secret discussion held between Rudra Kumar and Sarath

Fonseka in the USA. We will reveal this information shortly. Now he is ready to give evidence against the Government at the Human Rights Council. While Ranil Wickremesinghe goes around the world tarnishing the country’s image, Sarath Fonseka is ready to talk on behalf of the LTTE. Now he is adorned with the LTTE badge.

If he has not been involved in any illegal weapons deals, why is he hiding his son-in-law.

He should have produced his son-in-law before Courts if he is not guilty. During the election campaign, he insulted Deputy Minister Mervyn Silva and called him a thug, murderer, drug dealer. He is the one who is engaged in confrontational politics.

We would like to tell Sarath Fonseka not to forget beginnings and learn more discipline. We can see that in Sarath Fonseka’s speech, that 80 percent of his speech contains mud slinging on the Defence Secretary. Why is he attacking him? The Defence Secretary is the one who rescued this country from the terrorists.

Karu Jayasuriya (UNP): We should make our maximum effort to obtain GSP Plus. Otherwise, we will loose US $ 570 billion worth of quota in the apparel industry. Therefore, we should resolve this problem as it is beneficial for our country. The entire country was badly battered by the brutal war for last 30 years.

We praised the effort of the Government on the elimination of terrorism. People also paid their gratitude for this effort. That is why the Government won the previous elections. Even though the war is over, the Government has not provided any relief to the public through this budget. People have been frustrated.

Plantation Industries Minister, Mahinda Samarasinghe: We have recorded many successes in the stabilization of our economic fundamentals in the post conflict period despite the uncertainties in the external economic environment. Moreover, with increased projections for tourism in 2010 and the near future, we can realise the impressive potential in this sector, building on the more than 12 percent gains recorded in earnings in 2009 over the previous year, with arrivals expected to increase by substantial levels this year. I have no doubt that under the stewardship of my colleague, Export Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka will reach new heights in tourism. We also need to carefully manage the inflows of investment into Sri Lanka in order to maximise the benefit of such inflows for the people of Sri Lanka. Under the purview of Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, such inflows are being carefully managed to ensure that not only economic sectors that need a boost are being provided with it, but also areas that have been undeserved in the past are receiving due attention.

A major component of the post-conflict recovery is the development of the regional and rural economy.

Mangala Samaraweera continues The image of the country is deteriorating fast resulting in serious repercussions for the country. I actually praise the President for the patience showed in his first year of rule.

With the emergence of white van culture, and the increasing number of journalists being attacked, the country started to lose its goodwill. Without taking action against the people to whom these allegations were made, the victims were suppressed.

China is a country that will not go against the dominant powers at the most critical times. The reality should be understood, without day dreaming. The Government should handle these matters carefully.

Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa: It is due to the elimination of terror in this country, that the international community is directing false allegations against us. People like MP Mangala Samaraweera is announcing their interests.

We have a foreign policy that does not bow down in front of any other power. But we ourselves face them as a strong power.

Fonseka has agreed to witness before the Tri-Persons Committee. The UN has no right to appoint a Special Committee about our matters. What these people like Mangala Samaraweera say is to allow such an illegal act.

Today, the Opposition is happily shouting about the loss of GSP Plus. If we agree to the conditions that seriously affect our sovereignty, we will be able to obtain the GSP Plus. All the decisions on our internal matters will then be taken by the EU. Do we need to betray the country like this to obtain this benefit?

We request the Opposition to contribute to defeat the international allegations at least now, after behaving ridiculously during the period of war.

The Opposition says that we are isolated amidst the world. India is a very close friend of us. Even though, people like Mangala Samaraweera are asking to accept the Tri-Persons Committee, countries like Russia and China have already rejected it. We could have receive the favour of the Western countries, if we also subjected to its powers. It is since we stand strongly against them, that the Western countries are going against us.

Joseph Michael Perera (UNP): All the parties have agreed to the 17th Amendment. We should not wait until other countries ask us to activate it.

Today, there is a problem about the balance of Judiciary. People have a doubt whether justice can be obtained by it. There is a problem about independent commissions. Today, the police stations in the country have become government political offices. So don’t criticise the EU. The people know that 17th Amendment is part of our Constitution. The fault of not activating it lies on the President. The members of the COPE is appointed by the President, and therefore they are unable to take actions against those who are charged with bribery and corruption.

Today, there are some people who obtain Samurdhi for political reasons.

There are Deputy Ministers who don’t have a chair to sit, and work to do. Sixty-three percent of institutions are under just two people. Why can’t these responsibilities be divided among others.

Public Administration and Home Affairs Deputy Minister Dilan Perera: JR Jayewardene was the first Executive President of this country. He started his Presidency by neglecting democracy. He entered into the position with an autocratic rule.

The next President was R Premadasa. I need not speak further about his rule, since everyone knows about it. Next was the former President Chandrika Kumaratunga. She was fined Rs three million for abusing the Executive Power.

Then later the Supreme Court started intruding into the work of the Executive. Then it also interfered into the Constitutional work. It is at that time we had to control it.

S Yogeshwaran (TNA): So many Hindu Kovils in the North and East were damaged at the time of operations. So that those Kovils should be renovated. More than 500 such Kovils have to be reconstructed. There are about 1,543 Hindu Daham Schools. The teachers are teaching voluntarily. They should be given a payment by the Government.

AHM Azwer takes the Chair

Highways Deputy Minister Mervyn Silva: President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s father and father’s elder brother put a full stop to feudalism in Ruhuna. Fonseka says there is a law of the jungle in Sri Lanka.

Chancellor of the Kelaniya University Most Ven Velamitiyawe Kusaladhamma Thera once told me that one day Fonseka as a Colonel came to meet him and said they had to free Prabhakaran after he was taken into custody on the instructions of those who were in power.

Such a person criticises the President’s brother is not disciplined.

Mangala asks us to work as Ban Ki-moon says. We are a free nation. We have spent Rs 500 billion during the last five years. Terrorism that prevailed for 30 years was eradicated by the Forces led by Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and President Rajapaksa. Where was Fonseka when the Forces fought at the Nandikadal Lagoon. He was in China. The present Commander and Leader like Maj Gen Shavendra Silva led the battle.

For the statement made by Fonseka the country is at stake. The UNP went canvassing around the world to tarnish the image of the country.

The Government spent Rs 500 billion during five years for war. But did the concession curtailed by this Government? No, In the meantime Government constructed five harbours, five power stations, two airports etc. Sixty-four thousand km of roads were concreted. Five hundred roads were developed.

Today, the Forces personnel can lead their lives respectfully thanks to the President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

You should respect the personnel of Forces as you respect to the Buddhists priests.

The monks preserve the culture of the country while the personnel of Forces preserve the sovereignty of the country.

Tissa Attanayake (UNP): Mihin Air was initiated as a budget airway. But it is reported Mihin Air has a debt of Rs 8,000 million to the Petroleum Corporation. Ground handling is done by the SriLankan Airways.

Mihin Air has only one plane. So, this Mihin Air has become a burden to the budget.

Dayasiri Jayasekera (UNP) (continues): The allocations of money for each Ministry are made from the people’s money. We request the President to activate the Commissions. They are already paid salaries, though no work has been done.

Human Rights Commission reports should be presented to Parliament by the President. But until this no report has been presented to Parliament.

There is no transparency in the work of the Judiciary Service Commission. It is being politicised. Today the Bribery Commission is inactive.

S. Alantin (UPFA): Now that terrorism has ended and many restrictions have been removed and people can live freely today, I must express my sincere thanks to India for coming forward to help the resettlement projects in the North and East.

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa takes the Chair.

S. Alantin (continues): In the Jaffna peninsula, people underwent many difficulties due to the war. The temples were closed, and today they are being restored.

Pon Silvarasa (TNA): We paid a visit to Kilinochchi recently. The food given to those people is in poor condition. They are facing many difficulties. I request the Government to look into these matters and take necessary action.

Vinayagamoorthi Muralidaran (UPFA): That day, even Basil Rajapaksa mentioned that the necessary action is being taken to construct new houses. We have already paid attention to that issue.

Pon Silvarasa (TNA) (continues): A number of children have disappeared in those areas. It is the Government’s duty to look into it.

M. K. D. S. Gunawardhana (UPFA): I first express my sympathies on the recent death of the Muslim religious leader.

Recently, Mihintale was hit by lightening sustaining damage. This has happened due to non-operation of lightning detector. I request the relevant religious leaders to take urgent measures to remedy the situation.

Ports and Aviation Deputy Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena:

The JVP talked about the appointing of the Police Commission. I would like to ask them, who killed police officers during the 88/89 terror era.

We have enough evidence on these murders and will reveal the truth at the right time.

I was an eye witness to the Kotahena police arresting 64 women including pregnant mothers, old women and girls. They underwent greater hardships. There should be justice in law.

A new culture has been created in murdering beggars. Who is indulging in these brutal activities? You can not eradicate poverty by killing beggars. There was a Parliamentary Scholarship Award Scheme and it is defunct now. It is reported that a number of irregularities have been taken place in the scheme.

Economic Development Deputy Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena: Some unscrupulous elements seem to be disturbed with the UDA being placed under the purview of the Defence Ministry. They try to make a big issue out of it. Some others question as to why this was done? There are many unauthorised constructions in Colombo. These constructions have been obstructed the day-to-day work and activities of the people.

There should be a special political commitment to control these illegal activities. That is why it was taken over by the Defence Ministry. Now, the stern action can be taken for the betterment of the country. Within the next four years, large scale development will take place.

We have constructed 166,000 kilometres of new rural roads. We have targeted to complete the construction of 69,000 kilometres of rural roads within this year. Today, the massive development drive is in progress in villages. That is why the rural people are wholeheartedly supporting to the President.

The Government has been allocated Rs 46,000 million to carry out development activities in each province. We have taken measures to uplift the living standards of Samurdhi beneficiaries. The Sisu Diriya scheme has been introduced to provide scholarships to their children. We can expect huge rural economic development through the Jana Sabha Secretariats which have been established.

Today, development projects are being accelerated. Roads, bridges and flyovers are being made. Those who criticise the acts of the President would not even live to criticise if this destructive war went on.

The emergency should not be terminated. It should be carried on for some time.

Sunil Handunnetti (DNA): There was a riot at Modera-Mattakkuliya recently. The police should be responsible for turning the whole area into a battlefield. It is true, that the police are the guardians of the law but they should not harass people.

Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan (Resettlement Deputy Minister):

President Mahinda Rajapaksa was committed to finish LTTE terrorism. So that he could achieve it and we are living without fear today.

He has supported the resettlement drive so that with one year we could resettle more than 50 percent of the IDPs. There are only 40,000 to be resettled. The demining process is conducted by Army personnel. The people in North and East should be provided with all the infrastructure facilities. That is the reason why the Government has had to obtain loans.

You should admit that fact. When we consider paddy cultivation in the Batticaloa District there has been an increase. Earlier the paddy harvest in Batticaloa was 87,000 Mts. But today it is 312,000 Mts. The people of Batticaloa consume 100,000 metric tons only. In the East the fish harvest has increased to 24,000 metric tons.

Some complain about war crimes. But the LTTE is the organisation that committed war crimes. They kept 300,000 people hostage and kept them as human shield. Our Government conducted a humanitarian operation to liberate them. Go to these places and see what the Government has done for these people.

Local Government and Provincial Councils Deputy Minister Muthu Savalingam: About Rs. 400,000 are allocated for housing in the war affected areas. This is a considerable increase in the money allocated for this activity.

Some are taking undue advantages from these people. Some of them are misguided. As a whole, these people are satisfied and paying gratitude to the Government, we are protecting the rights of these people. We are here to serve our people.

Nurdeen Masur (UNP): We are bound to extend our sincere thanks to the President and Defence Secretary, because earlier Muslim people living in the North were chased away, but today they can come back to those regions.

Now the cultivations are being accelerated in those areas. They are now coming to their earlier lives. But I request that the resettlement process be expedited.

The Puttalam - Kandy Road has been reopened to enhance tourism. The opening of these roads will contribute a lot.

National Heritage and Cultural Affairs Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi: The JVP continuously voted against the budgets presented recently to change the Government. If not for this Government, the country would be in a critical stage today.

Within four years, from 2006 to 2010, we have earned a considerable amount of foreign exchange. We were unable to achieve that amount for 28 years before 2006.

We have a mechanism and a plan to take forward the national heritage of our country. We have a vision how to add this subject to our development.

All should work together to make our people stand on their own feet by giving them necessary facilities.

Petroleum Industries Minister Susil Premajayantha: I first would like to respond to Mangala Samaraweera’s comment on the judiciary system. It was also reported in a newspaper that what was commented there is totally wrong. We have not intervened in the matters of the Supreme Court or the judges. We have allowed them to work independently. He is trying to send false information to the international community.

We have not disturbed the work of Human Rights Commission. The reports of these have been presented to Parliament. Throughout the budget debate there were comments by the Opposition that support these false interpretations of the international community directed against our country.

We have obtained the highest percentage of votes at the Parliamentary Election and Presidential Election. Therefore, we have the right to initiate a Constitutional amendment. People have already given us that right. Certain foreign countries also urge us to change the Emergency Act to safeguard human rights. How can they influence us to amend our laws?.

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Defence Ministry vote passed by 124

The vote on the Defence Ministry was passed with a majority of 124 votes yesterday at the Parliament.

At the committee stage of the debate, the TNA asked for a division.

One hundred and thirty one members voted in favour while 7 voted against.

UNP MP Abdul Cader voted in favour. The UNP and the DNA abstained from voting.

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Emergency Regulation Motion passed

The motion to extend the Emergency Regulations by another one month was passed with a majority of 100 votes. One hundred and thirty two members voted in favour while 32 voted against. UNP MP Abdul Cader voted for the motion. UNP, TNA and DNA voted against.

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Mark of respect for Niyaz Moulavi

Parliamentary Correspondent

UPFA member AHM Azwer wore a black armband in Parliament as a mark of respect over the death of Presidential Advisor on Islamic Affairs S Niyaz Moulavi.

Moulavi passed away at Bandarawela on Sunday.