PARLIAMENT

'Winning Blue Sky', Govt's objective - Minister Dayasritha Tissera

Irangika RANGE, Sandasen MARASINGHE and Disna MUDALIGE

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa presided when Parliament started at 1 p.m. yesterday. After the presentation of papers and oral questions the House took up the second reading of the Civil Aviation Bill for debate.

Ports and Aviation Deputy Minister Dayasritha Tissera: The Aviation Bill was first presented in 1950 and it is 60-years-old. We hope to make necessary changes needed to meet today's challenges through this amendment. International Airport have been constructed lately. It is necessary that we adjust the Bill to suit modern requirements.

Aviation will be developed to make a better country for our future generation. Today the Aviation Bill is strengthened with appropriate amendments. 'Winning the Blue Sky' is one of our aims mentioned in Mahinda Chinthana Policy.

We will include the suggestions of the MPs in this House to amend this Bill.

As a country that has signed the UN International Civil Aviation Ordinance we are bound to about 84 articles declared by this international body. Being in this international institution is advantageous for us as a developing country.

Through this Bill we will also ensure the security of employees in the aviation sector.

Ravi Karunanayake (UNP): This kind of Bill can build the country. But it is presented to the House as it is presented to a montessori.

This Bill was once presented a year ago and again it is presented today without a single change.

The officers who engage in creating these amendments should have a fair knowledge about it. But they lack it.

The country is obviously on a drive of export growth promotion. For that tourism and export industries are important. But none of those are touched by this bill. This does not cover the whole industry. Countries like Maldives, Thailand can be taken as examples for us when considering aviation. Ticket prices of SriLankan are extraordinarily high compared to other neighbouring countries. So passengers buy tickets from those countries and transfer them. None can stop it.

There are two airlines, 'SriLankan' and 'Mihin' what is the purpose of maintaining two airlines if both are running at a loss? I am asking for an open debate in this regard with Sajin Vass MP. Under section 113 of the Bill it says that a 'Civil Aviation Development Fund' will be created. There is no relevance of it.

Sunil Handunnetti (DNA): Today we debate a Bill with national importance. Throughout the past, we have paid a lot for using important institutions for political advantage.

Deputy Chairman of Committees Chandrakumar Murugesu takes the chair

We have signed the UN International Ordinance regarding aviation since 1944. Therefore we are bound to protect the regulations in it. When we consider our country, both ports and aviation have a special importance.

There is a threat of privatizing these institutions and their service. Trade Unions are in alert about this situation. Many state officials go overseas time to time. But they do not use SriLankan Airlines. These institutions should not be subject to any political favourations. If not the future generations of this country will have to pay for it.

Kanaka Herath (UPFA): For rapid development pursued by Mahinda Chinthana aviation and ports have a special contribution to make.

Air transport is critical to our society. Sri Lanka should practice and adopt international standards and levels in this regard.

We have to take measures to minimise Co2 emissions by fuel burning. Technology of the modern world can be adopted for efficient fuel burning.

We can send our technicians to foreign countries to educate them regarding modern technology that relates to this sector.

Ports and Aviation Deputy Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena: The Opposition make suggestions as well as many criticisms over the introduction of this Act.

But we have to consider that drastic changes that have taken place in the country as well as all over the world. Not like five decades ago, today we have to co-operate with the international community. We cannot be deserted and go forward all alone.

Ravi Karunanayake asked as to why an airport is needed at Mattala? He also said when it rains to Colombo it rains Mattala as well.

We can remember the same person said the forces were going to Medawachchiya and Pamankada when they captured Kilinochchi and Elephant Pass. The transportation of goods, tourists arrivals have increased after the defeat of terrorism.

The Katunayake Airport is not sufficient enough to cater to the increasing volume of services. Hence the Government decided to establish the Mattala Airport. With confidence I say that we will complete the first phase of Mattala Airport by April 2012.

The Parliament was adjourned.