Parliament

We must safeguard victory gained by Security Forces -PM

Irangika RANGE Sandasen MARASINGHE Disna MUDALIGE

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa presided yesterday when Parliament met at 1 p.m.

After the Oral questions and presentation of papers Parliament took up the motion moved by Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratne to extend the State of Emergency by another one month.

D. M. Jayaratne

(Prime Minister):

We have to guarantee the security of this country safeguarding the victory gained by the Security Forces defeating terrorism that prevailed in the country for 30 years. The Security Forces arrested 723 LTTE as from the IDP camps during the last month alone.

The Government is receiving information of assets of the LTTE in Colombo and the suburbs.

The Government has taken measures to confiscate them.

A Canadian based NGO that supported the LTTE was banned recently and another person in South India was imprisoned for the same reason.

Still there are attempts being made again in the international sphere to uplift the LTTE again.

Under these grounds we have to extend the Emergency regulations to safeguard the security of the country.

Rauff Hakeem (UNP)

The Opposition will vote against the Emergency and extension of Emergency due to various reasons including the misuse of Emergency regulations.

The TNA held a press conference and discussed about the expansion of Military Cantonments in North after the eradication of terrorism. All the Tamil media carried this news in a big way, but the mainstream media had not carried the news except one paper. It also carried in page 13 with less significance.

The mainstream media is polarized today. The proper procedures were not followed in acquiring the lands by the government.

Sagin Vass Gunawardene (UPFA): No, the Defence Secretary has followed the proper procedures. It was published in the newspapers.

Rauff Hakeem continues:

The Jaffna Commander had stated that the High Security Zones (HSZs) would disappear and anybody can come and settle down there.

That is a positive development.

Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka: We are discussing on the emergency regulation at a time when we have reached a special juncture.

Our Forces defeated terrorism and such an achievement could not be accomplished by any nation during this century.

Similar victories to the victory in the battlefront were achieved by the Government by registering victories at the recently held Presidential and General Elections.

But still attempts are made at international level to uplift terrorism.

These attempts have to be defeated. Although the US and other organisations talk of human rights reports about the human rights situation in Afghanistan have revealed human rights violation. Today 92,000 reports have been put on the internet.

These reports state that most of the murders have been reported as traffic accidents.

These human rights violations have been concealed with words.

But our Forces were did so they have set an example to the entire world as to how terrorism should be eradicated in a just manner while protecting Human Rights.

With reference to the displaced people in the North, I have to say that 21,000 Sinhala people lived in the Jaffna Peninsula in the past. But there are none today.

We should not allow our country to go back to that dark era.

Deputy Chairman of Committees Murugesu Chandrakumar takes the Chair:

A. Vinayagamoorthy: The Emergency Regulations are meant to prevent terrorism.

But the Emergency Regulations are used to create State terrorism. Even the European Union has expressed their concern over emergency. Any country can take action against human rights violations. I think the Government has secret agendas to extend emergency regulations to retain Tamil prisoners behind bars.

Hemal Gunasekara (UPFA): There are conspiracies that encourage terrorism even after the end of terrorism. The Government needs to be more careful in removing emergency regulations.

We have never used them to retain power.

Welfare measures of the North and the East are carried out promptly. The Government will hold the elections in those provinces soon.

General Sarath Fonseka (DNA): We often hear about misguidance of the Government. The Government is trying to cover all these.

We challenged the UN as well. If there are problems those must be settled through discussion.

Powerful countries are following a double standard policy, when it comes to human rights. This fact is true. Behaviour of the international community is vague.

Sajin Vass Gunawardene (UPFA): Sarath Fonseka MP is talking about the independence of the judiciary. We ask why he cannot present his son-in-law to Court.

Terrorism is coming out in many facets in the globe. Country's laws and regulations must be strong to face them. A new form of terrorism is emerging now. That is the commercial terrorism. Some members in this house are also involved in this form of terrorism. There is a public article written by an Opposition member which betrays the country.

The true story about the attack on Siyatha is that, the wages of the employees had not been paid. It is an internal problem.

Dayasiri Jayasekara (UNP): The people who speak about the economy are the killers of the economy.

The explanation of the Government on the Siyatha attack is hilarious. The Government has the duty to protect media freedom. Three police groups have been appointed to look into it. We urge the Government to investigate and take prompt action.

There are a large number of allegations against K.P. The arrest of K.P was given full media coverage. But what is the Government doing today. No action is taken against him.

Agriculture Deputy Minister Jagath Pushpakumara: The death of the University student was debated in this house. The report of the doctor proves that, it has happened due to natural causes and no crime is witnessed.

The mother of this student has made a public announcement saying that, her son was not attacked by the police, but by Bassa as said by her son.

Deputy Speaker Priyankara Jayaratne takes the chair.

Jagath Pushpakumara: It is a tragedy that, some are going to take advantages from his death. The situation is the same with the suicide of the UNP supporter. There are vague explanations, from where the Petrol came and who lit the fire. I request the UNP to look into their own party problems without just shouting

Sarath Fonseka MP is talking expressing his anger towards the Defence Secretary. He has forgotten what the Defence Secretary has done to make him flourish. He talks as if he won the war all alone.

Rosy Senanayake (UNP): If the Government says the country is fully secured why we still debate Emergency Regulations. Media institutions are under threat. Journalists are facing with abductions and killing.

If the Government thinks it can win international Tamil Diaspora by using KP, it is only a dream.

The Government should provide stable political solution that can be accepted by everyone. We are blaming the western world. How can we face threats by creating conflicts with the international community.

Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella: The people lived in the country without any hopes during past 30 years. The LTTE chased away innocent Tamils, Sinhalese and Muslims. Now they live in freely.

Over 4,000 Muslims chased away by LTTE leader Prabhakaran those days. Now these people have resettled in Chilaw. The LTTE killed 158 people in Kaththankudi on an occasion. We still remember the cruelty of the LTTE.

That era has been eliminated. We have a responsibility of curbing terrorism if it arises again. That is why we extend Emergency Regulations. The Police is investigating into the Siyatha attack. We will reveal the truth after the Police investigation is over.

E Sarawanabhawan (TNA): Media persons are under threat. The Government should not disturb the activities of the media personnel. It should look after them.

Ruwan Ranatunga (UPFA): We have been able to live in peace after 30 years under the leadership of the President and sacrifices of Security Forces.

We have been able to eradicate terrorism. Still the LTTE is present in various forms.

That is, the Government has extend Emergency Regulations.

Swaminadan (UNP): The duty of the Government is to protect and uphold the Fundamental Rights of the people especially media personnel and institutions.

The Siyatha organization has been attacked. There is no use of extending Emergency Regulations, if the incidents of this nature are taking place.

A. H. M. Azwar takes the Chair.

Nishantha Muthuhettigama (UPFA): We have just completed one year in the new era of development that dawned after the independence.

The tigers are not totally silenced yet.

The Siyatha institution is a government friendly institution.

The people who speak on behalf of it are not the ones who were there at the establishment of that institution.

During the 30 years' war, some media institutions acted irresponsibly while most institutions acted correctly.

The Opposition is talking about the facilities given to KP. His investments are used for the benefit of the country.

I do not want to point out the conduct of General Sarath Fonseka when he was the Army Commander. The honour of creating Army Commander Gen. Sarath Fonseka rests upon the President.

R. Yogarajan (UNP): The President has accepted that a new Constitutional amendment is needed. The All Party Representative Committee was unable to reach a consensus.

The parking in Colombo is restricted. It is necessary to park vehicles on streets of Colombo for public life.

Uvais Farook (UPFA): As a person from Jaffna, I know the difficulties faced by the Muslims and others in the area.

This situation was changed by the President and we must be thankful to him. Still we cannot remove Emergency Regulations since the shadows of terrorism are still haunting.

It must be done gradually and with utmost care. Due to the conclusion of war, the people are freed to worship temples in the area.

As a Muslim person who served a long period in camps, I thank the President and soldiers for giving us a new era.

Sri Ranga (UNP): Since the beginning of Emergency Regulations minority parties have expressed their views against it. It is not fair to ignore their objection.

Child Development and Women's Affairs Deputy Minister M. L. A. M. Hisbullah: When the whole world thought that the war in Sri Lanka cannot be concluded, the President has proved that he could.

Now, anyone can live without fear and doubt in the country.

In the North and the East, all the three ethnicities are living together. The seeds of hatred are being sowed by some in the country, and the people in the East are very unhappy about this.

Plantation Industries Deputy Minister Salinda Dissanayaka: The necessity of Emergency is felt to stand strong against the external forces that go against the country. Sri Lanka is situated in a strategic sea route in the Indian ocean.

Therefore it is important that we study the movements of the international politics and foreign powers.

Vijaya Dahanayake (UPFA): LTTE terrorism reach the threshold of most southern parts of the country. The LTTEers reached Deniyaya and Godapitiya Mosque. Due to this Government's measures we could get free from terrorism.

Sujeewa Senasinghe (UNP): I can remember S. B. Dissanayake said long ago the war could not be defeated militarily.

The Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa takes the Chair.

But we are fortunate enough to eradicate terrorism.

We think the ordinary law is sufficient to deal with the situation today.

Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa: Most members talked of KP and alleged the Government fondles him.

We are trying to get all the information from him about the LTTE. We never fondle him.

One member of the Opposition stated that the LTTE in the international sphere could not be defeated.

They said the LTTE could not be defeated and eradicated from the soil of this country.

It was this Government that defeated the LTTE in Sri Lanka and arrested KP.

Some Opposition members have become puppets of certain international organizations inimical to Sri Lanka.

I urge you not to be moved by the Dollars coming from the USA. This is a historic juncture we have reached today and asked you to think again about this country and vote for the Emergency Regulations.

TNA member Suresh Premachancra asked for a division.

The Emergency Regulation passed with a majority of 82 votes. One hundred and twenty members voted for, while 38 members voted against. UNP, TNA and DNA voted against. UNP MP Abdul Cader voted with the Government.

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Preschool administration must be placed under Education Ministry

Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena told Parliament yesterday that the direction and administration of pre-schools must be placed under the purview of the Education Ministry.

"Preschool education is a vital sector of the education system and the need has arisen to pay more attention to restructure it," he said.

Minister Gunawardena said that the Education Ministry is not playing an active role on preschool child development currently since the responsibility for the subject has been entrusted to the Child Development and Women's Empowerment Ministry and the related Divisional Secretariat Divisions.

He was answering a question raised by UNP MP Sajith Premadasa.

The Minister further said a proposal to taking over preschool education under the purview of the Education Ministry has been included in the new Education Act.

He requested Parliament Members to forward their proposals and views on the inclusion of this subject in the area of duties assigned to the Education Ministry to the Parliament Consultative Committee.

He said several issues related to create a permanent post for teachers employed in pre-schools and formulating a formal salary structure for them will be considered after the inclusion of this subject among the responsibility of the Education Ministry.

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Govt completes construction of 3,040 estate houses

Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa yesterday said in Parliament the Government has completed the construction of 3,040 houses out of 4,500 for the estate people commenced in 2006 under the Mahinda Chintana.

He said the Government's target is to construct 50,000 houses for the estate people. Since, the Estate Housing program is a project undertaken by the National Housing Development Authority and the Plantations Human Development trust which comes under a separate Ministry, the construction of remaining houses confronted with some problems. Weerawansa said he will take necessary steps to construct the rest of houses within this year.

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Foreign employment agreements:

Signing only in the presence of FEB officer

External Affairs Minister Prof GL Peiris yesterday told Parliament that Sri Lankans going for foreign employment must sign agreements with the agencies only in the presence of an officer of Foreign Employment Bureau (FEB).

The Minister made these observations responding to a question raised by DNA Parliamentarian Anura Kumara Dissanayake in connection with 41 Sri Lankan women stranded in Saudi Arabia.

He said the FEB has inquired from the foreign employment agencies as to why they were not given employment and instructed the Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh to take necessary steps.

The External Affairs Ministry has commenced investigations into the complaints that 41 women have not been given employment as promised by the agencies that sent them for foreign employment.

The Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyal has paid 650 Riyadh to each female with the support of the External Affairs Ministry. He said the FEB has instructed the Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh to provide food, water and other facilities for the stranded women.

Six of them were sick and one of them has been brought home on July 31. The rest will be brought home on a priority basis. An investigation has revealed that a dispute between employer and the foreign agent abroad has created this issue.

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