Parliament

Safeguarding Parliamentary traditions vital - Speaker

Parliament Correspondent

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa presided yesterday when Parliament met at 9.30 am. The Speaker stated that the President accepted the resignation of the Deputy Speaker and Chairman of Committees Priyankara Jayaratne on November 22, 2010. After the session of oral answers to questions, the Speaker announced that the post of Deputy Speaker had fallen vacant.

Leader of the house and Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva proposed the name of MP Chandima Weerakkody for the post.

Chief Government Whip and Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardene seconded the proposal.

Chief Opposition Whip John Amaratunga: We have no objection in Weerakkody being elected to the post of Deputy Speaker but at the party leaders meeting we have requested to grant certain posts in the House to the opposition in keeping with democracy.

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa: That request is noted down and as there is no other name proposed for the post of Deputy Speaker, I announce that Chandima Weerakkody has unanimously been elected as the Deputy Speaker.

I thank all the members for the support given to elect him to the post.

As a young Parliamentarian I think he would function in the post to safeguard the tradition and privileges of the members of this House.

I also make this opportunity to thank Priyankara Jayaratne for his commitment to the post during his period as Deputy Speaker to safeguard, the members’ rights in Parliamentary tradition.

Chief Opposition Whip John Amaratunga : As the opposition we would like to congratulate the newly elected Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody.

Leader of the House and Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva: I congratulate Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody on his election to the post on behalf of the Government and hope he would safeguard the rights of the members both in the Government and opposition.

Civil Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayaratne : At this moment I thank the Speaker, Secretary General to Parliament and all others who supported me to carry out duties as the Deputy Speaker while I was in the post. I also wish the newly elected Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody.

Thereafter, Parliament took up the debate on the Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill.

Ravi Karunanayake (UNP): I think the people of this country were looking forward to the budget proposals with the hope that it would address their needs.

A large number of the population is receiving Samurdhi subsidiaries and have received no relief at all. The Governments led by SLFP has presented budgets since 1994. The people were hoping to receive a good pay increase. But the increase the public servants received was a trifle.

The budget has put burden on the people by increasing the electricity bills by eight percent.

My question on behalf of the UNP is when will this Government reduce the Cost of Living.

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody: I thank President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Speaker and all others who supported me to be elected for this post.

I promise to carry out my duties in the capacity of the Deputy Speaker impartially to safeguard the rights of the members.

Dr Sarath Amunugama (International Monetary Co-operation Senior Minister): I take this opportunity to congratulate you as you chair this assembly for the first time.

This is a very positive and far-sighted budget. The proposals have been formulated ensuring a eight percent economic growth rate while increasing the per capita income upto US $ 4,000.

With the doubling of the per capita income, we will be able to bring down poverty to a very low level. Today the country is stable. People have fresh hopes. We have to get ready to face the future challenges which have been focused in this budget. The budget has been presented focussing on many developing targets which are expected to be achieved within next three years.

The highest growth rates were reported in many sectors including agriculture 7.2 percent, industry sector-8 percent and service sector 7.8 percent during the first six months of this year.

This is a remarkable achievement. Real economic growth means providing relief to the ordinary masses. We are in the process to do it. Today tourist arrivals have increased. Hotel rooms are booked by many tourists.

A number of employment opportunities have been created in the hotel sector. The benefits of this have already gone to the people of this country. Rural villages have been developed.

In the financial sector, most of the lows and regulations are outdated. We will not be able to achieve the targets if we adopt these regulations to the current system.

It is necessary to amend the outdated regulations in keeping with the latest trend and policies followed by the developed countries. We will be able to obtain many benefits by signing bi-lateral agreements with India.

The country is becoming a selfsufficient. We received a bumper paddy harvest for this Maha season. This is duo to the fertilizer subsidy and the paddy cultivation in the North and East. Around 4,425 additional hectares have been cultivated with paddy in the North.

We have been able to solve the problems of the people in North and East in a very democratic way. They were provided with all facilities to engage in their traditional industries. The Indian Government has come forward to construct 50,000 housing units in the North.

We have targeted to maintain an eight percent economic growth rate in the coming years. The unemployment rate has come down from 9 percent to 5 percent. This is a great achievement. We have also been able to bring down the inflation rate below the economic growth rate.

The budget deficit has also been brought down to 8 percent. The rupee is stable today. Infrastructure facilities have been improved. Massive development projects like harbours, ports, power plants are being constructed. This will pave the way for the country to march towards success.

Sunil Handunnetti (JVP): The monies collected from the new funds for pensioners, private sector employees and migrant workers as envisaged in this budget will go into the consolidated fund and will not be utilised for the activities of the relevant Ministries. This budget is meant to collect money to resurrect the Treasury and not the people.

The Treasury was more bankrupt than the people in this country today thanks to the economic policies of the Government. The Government was promised to give salary hike for the public servants during the interim budget for 2009.

But it failed in giving a sufficient salary hike for public servants through the Budget 2010.

You have shattered the hopes of the people. This budget has not formulated to address the needs of the people. No relief have been given to the ordinary, masses. People are unable to spend money to buy even food.

Mahindananda Aluthgamage Sports Minister: The JVP is looking at the budget at malicious manner. The budget was presented by the President after he sworn in for his second term in office. The President who obtained a massive mandate from the people has become more and more popular.

The President has a great image nationally and internationally.

Many foreign countries are congratulating the President and nearly 150 representatives of the Diplomatic corps participated at the President’s swearing-in ceremony.

Suresh Premachandran (TNA): The displaced people are still not resettled and the region is destroyed. The schools are abandoned and the public life has collapsed. We can see that there is a plan to destroy the culture of the area. Kovils are destroyed and the cultural identity of the people are also destroyed. There is a large Buddha statue situated near a Kovil.

(Interruption)

Social Services Minister Felix Perera: I raise a point of order. Peace has now dawned and people are living in unity and harmony. Kovils have now been built in Colombo, Ja-ela and Halawatha. We have to understand this reality. In the same manner, all religions have the freedom to established their institutions.

Suresh Premachandran continues: But these temples are established in areas where there are no Buddhists. We object to that.

The Budget presented is racial and aimed at destroying the Tamil culture. This Budget has not given no concession to the ordinary people. More money is allocated for defence.

Women are going to the Middle Eastern countries as domestics for low wages of Rs 10,000. They suffer in those countries. The Government should pay attention to these problems.

Arundika Fernando (UPFA): The President yesterday presented his maiden budget to Parliament after he took oaths in his Office for the second time.

The speech of the former TNA Member who spoke prior to me is very demeaning and utterly disgraceful. If the Tamil community has been victimised, then Prabhakaran should be responsible for it.

Deputy Chairman of Committees Chandrakumar Murugesu takes the Chair.

We, as the Government, vehemently oppose the speech of Suresh Premachandran MP. More money is allocated because we need to expedite the resettlement process and much work to be done in the region. We also have a doubt about people like Premachandran who are supporting the LTTE.

We have focussed onto five main aspects. Creating a knowledge based society is one among them. We hope to develop agriculture, fisheries and all other sectors in the country.

Akila Viraj Kariyawasam (UNP):

We look at this budget as a facilitation to make 200 people enjoy, while 20 million people suffer. We thought at least the promised salary increase for public servants would be bestowed by this budget when the President started his second term. The public had high hopes about it.

Today when we calculate the total cost of a family while taking into account the price of a coconut and a milk packet, we see that people are facing many difficulties. The prices of fish have gone up, and the price of chicken is also very high. People are going through a hard time.

When there are a large number of members in a family the units of electricity used also rises automatically. Therefore, it surpasses the unit limit and their electricity bill goes up.

The increase of electricity bill also affects factories and industries.

Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Amaraweera: Most of the facts presented by Akila Viraj MP about the budget are incorrect.

This is a futuristic budget. We have not attempted to apply plasters to problems. We cannot be satisfied by just raising the salary of Government sector employees.

Increasing the salaries of public servants is not a solution to the existing problems. We have to think about all the people living in the country including the self-employed and private sector employees. The UNP and the JVP are only thinking about Government employees.

About Rs 35,000 million is allocated to remove salary anomalies. A large sum of money is also allocated to provide relief and allowances.

The GDP has increased in the country. The purchasing ability of people has raised considerably. These are true facts. With the conclusion of power projects implemented in the country. The people will be benefited by them. Akila Viraj MP said that we did a big show at Hambantota harbour with the arrival of the first ship. This is what we call jealousy. We cannot expect a great number of ships to arrive from the very first day we opened the harbour. There are many more things to be done before that.

He also pointed out about the electricity bill. But he has forgotten that there is a reduction of the electricity bill for schools, hospitals and other Government institutions.

This has not affected the ordinary people either. Therefore, we ask him to look at things in a objective manner.

This budget does not look at only 2011 and it is not presented to just get the applause from the gallery.

Social Services Minister Felix Perera

Earlier, We were concerned only about development targets. We are now trying to bring these benefits to all people in an equal manner. Eventhough we say the per capita income has increased this amount has not benefitted every individual. Therefore we have to consider ways and means to improve the lives of the lower class. This budget is presented with this aim.

We also hope to create an efficient Government sector. I also would like to mention something about Hambantota harbour. Now we have three harbours and we can earn a considerable amount through them. We can gain a lot through this harbour. What we gain from it is an additional income.

When we talk about casinos. It is noteworthy to mention that about US $ 90 is earned by the USA annually through casinos. An Indian Minister also comes here to play casino.

I built a church in Jaffna. All people in the region brought various food items to the occasion and people of all ethnicities were there in harmony. Therefore I regret the speech made by Suresh Premachandran MP. He also criticized our army.

Economic Development Deputy Minister Mutthu Sivalingam : President Rajapaksa stated that the lands that were not properly utilized for cultivation on any other purpose, it would be taken over by the Government.

That is an admirable move and our youth can use those lands.

We know that thousands of youth died due to terrorism. The President solved that problem and even while the operation was in progress the Government did not neglect development. This budget has allocated a larger sum of money to improve the infrastructure facilities, health and Education in the Nuwara Eliya District.

On the other hand this Government has paid its attention towards the Uva Wellassa University which the UNP had neglected.

P Harison (UNP): According to my knowledge, more than 75 percent of the public servants get a salary lesser than Rs 20,000.

So their salary increment is lesser than Rs 1,000. So how could the people live? The Government has taken excessive amount of foreign loans. But the loans have to be settled. I responsibly say that this Government has done nothing for the farmers.

A H M Azwer (UPFA): President Mahinda Rajapaksa presenting the budget evoked nostalgic memories of the House reminding the era of his late father D A Rajapaksa and his paternal uncle D M Rajapaksa.

Then the generation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa has brought the SLFP to its helm. Minister Basil Rajapaksa, lieutenant Colonel Gotabhaya Rajapaksa are also doing a great service to the country. Then, we have the third generation in Namal Rajapaksa who is an MP.

The unity of the family members have helped uplift the standard of the country. The President was able to end 30 years of terrorism.

The President solved the problems faced by the Muslims of Kattankudi and the muslims have rallied round the President in their droves.

He is not only a man of words but a man of deeds. He is guiding this country to make it the Wonder of Asia.

A H M Azwer takes the Chair.

Harin Fernando (UNP): I would love to speak after Azwer. We are the Opposition, and we are here to criticize wrong doings of the Government.

The President made the best part of the Budget speech in page 30 of his speech. He has calculated the total amount that the country needs to increase salaries from Rs 100. But he said the country hopes to host next Commonwealth Games.

He is ready to spend millions to this even though he is unable to give Rs 100 salary hike for the people. We cannot appreciate all the things done by the Government. I appreciate that the President has identified the importance of outsourcing companies.

A large sum of money was spent for the swearing-in ceremony of the President, while the country was flooding and the Parliament was under water.

Livestock and Rural Community Development Deputy Minister H R Mithrapala: This is the foundation of the program to take the country forward as the miracle of Asia. I don’t see that the duty of the Opposition is fulfilled. They are only looking in a negative angle.

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody takes the Chair. The number of public servants has increased and about 1.2 million people have got employment opportunities in this sector. It is President Mahinda Rajapaksa who broaden the public service. The Opposition is acting as if they worry about the Government employees. But the people in the country can understand the reality.

When the roads are constructed and every household gets electricity, what can the Opposition say to the people in villages?

As a non-aligned country, the country could improve relationship with not only capitalist countries but also with low income countries and other powerful nations.

The country has started a new journey under the present leadership with enormous dedication. We have a clear political and economic vision.

National Languages and Social Integration Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara: Suresh Premachandra MP, brought out many regrettable facts in his speech. These issues are somewhat related to my subjects. I have ordered a copy of his speech. I hope to look into them to see whether they are true. We will take action if they are true and if not the MP should make a clarification about his speech.

Whoever assumes the duties of the Government should present his policy and plans for the benefit of the people. It is this plan that the President has presented to the country yesterday.

The question many ask is where the relief for the people is. All what is presented is relief. These may not be immediate relief measures, they have long term effect.

There is no need to provide a subsidy for sugar for those who buy them in five star hotels in the country. They buy tons of sugar for the hotel. The subsidy should reach the needy people.

We say the salary hike is not enough. But we have provided many more facilities for the people to upgrade their life conditions as well as to improve their economy.

We need to understand the policy and plans of the country. This is a special Government that emerged after 30 years.

Today, the conditions of India have deteriorated. Our President has understood that development does not mean solely the economic growth, but social aspects should be included in it. Various programs are initiated to reach this target. This is a people friendly policy.

Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Deputy Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna: We should pay our honour for the President for presenting a highly positive budget to the Parliament yesterday. This was the 65th Budget in the history of the Parliament. The first Budget was presented in 1948. About 34 Budgets were presented by the UNP, while, we have presented about 31 budgets.

Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Deputy Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna: The JVP should be responsible for leading the country towards jeopardy during the 88-89 period. It has been forgotten what they did in the past. The country is marching forward towards success. The economic growth rate has been reached up to 7.8 percent. It was only 5.6 percent in 2005 and four percent in 1994.

The unemployment rate has come down to 5.4 percent. It was reported as 13.4 percent in 1994. The country has achieved a tremendous development within last five years.

Wasantha Aluvihare (UNP): This budget reflects the needs of the rich persons. Though President promised to grant a salary hike for public servants through this Budget, no salary hike was included in it.

If we need to drive the country towards success loans should not be obtained by nationally or internationally. If the Government pays back highest amounts of loans and interest how it allocates sufficient funds for the well-being of the people.

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody takes the Chair.

We do not see any program being implemented to provide relief for the people.

Roshan Ranasinghe (UPFA): This is the Budget which has been brought forward for the betterment of the people. This Budget was presented allowing the people to stand on their own feet. It has been focused to facilitate businessmen who commence business ventures in rural areas. This will develop the rural economy.

Farmers received best prices for their paddy. We could purchase paddy at Rs 22 from farmers ensuring better livelihood.

Chamika Buddhadasa (UPFA): President Mahinda Rajapaksa brought peace to the country by ending the war. Economic development was hampered by the war. Today, the Government has commenced the journey towards the development. We can see a massive development taking place in every corner of the country. Roads are being constructed. The people will gain more benefits through these projects.

G K Indika (UPFA): The Hambantota harbour will provide a lot of jobs for the youth in the area. The living condition of the people will be upgraded.

-------------************************

Retirement on disability

Chief Government Whip and Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena yesterday told Parliament that 8,088 persons of the tri-forces and the police were sent on retirement on disability and all of them receive pensions.

He said 7,337 of the army, 450 of the Navy, 113 of the Air Force and 188 of the Police have been sent on retirement.

These persons have been directed to receive vocational training of their choice and abilities he said. Minister Gunawardene said this in response to a question raised by UPFA MP Ruwan Ranatunga.

-----------**************************

Liquor, Cigarettes tax revenue goes up

The Government has earned Rs 55,630 million as tax revenue on liquor and cigarettes during the first nine months of this year.

The government’s tax revenue from liquor during the first nine months of this year was Rs 26,040 million, while this amount was Rs 29,590 million from cigarettes according to the Fiscal Management Report 2011.

This is a 24 percent increase for liquor tax revenue and one percent increase for cigarettes compared to the previous year records.

-----------**************************