PARLIAMENT

Government continues fuel concessions - Minister Premajayantha

Parliamentary Corr

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa presided when Parliament met at 9.30 a.m. yesterday. After the presentation of papers and oral questions in the House took up the Committee Stage of Debate of the Appropriation Bill (2011). The House took up the Financial Heads of Power and Energy Ministry Petroleum Industries Ministry, Education Ministry, Sports Ministry, Technology and Research Ministry and Youth Affairs and Skills Development Ministry for debate.

P. Harison (UNP): I would like to raise some points about the Power and Energy Ministry and Petroleum Ministry. The electricity bill was increased by 8 percent for those who consume more than 90 units. This affects all other consumer items. The Power and Energy Minister is making a huge effort to rebuild the power sector. But the problem is that whether he will be able to succeed with the officials that he has. We see him trying to do something.

There is corruption in the Petroleum Corporation. It is running at a loss today. When the price of a barrel of oil decreases in the world market, this benefit was not given to the public. When the President visited Libya and Iran people throughout that they would get oil at a concessionary price.

Petroleum Industries Minister Susil Premajayantha: I would like to answer some of the points raised by MP Harrison, Even in 2007, the Petroleum Corporation was making profits.

But due to the world oil crisis, the price of a barrel of oil raised to US $ 147.50. The situation prevailed for a short period. Therefore, the country had to go for the Hedging Agreement. The Petroleum Corporation provides furnace oil at a concessionary price to the Electricity Board for electricity generation. Even now we are giving furnace oil to them at less than Rs. 20. We are also continuing the Kerosene concession to the public. We have not halted this process.

The oil refinery in Sapugaskanda was less efficient than when it was first established. There were many governments since 1960.

President Rajapaksa to solve this problem implemented a new project to double the capacity of the oil refinery spending a large sum of money.

Another fact is that several sub institutions which contributed to the profit of the Petroleum Corporation stopped functioning. This also affected the profit of the Corporation.

As mentioned by the MP, we have not allowed the Indian Company to earn unnecessary profits. They demanded for an increase oil price on several occasions but we did not permit this.

As criticised, no Montero was bought for the Corporation under my Ministry. Vehicles required for the transport of employees are taken on lease.

The Muthurajawela storage complex has been renovated. We will be able to check through computers about in the future the distribution of oil through the pipeline. The distribution of oil by rail has been increased thus reducing the use of bowsers and road transportation.

When considering oil price, it is clearly visible that we did not revise the price of fossil fuel for more than one year.

I went to Oman and met the Trade and Commerce Minister. We arrived at various agreements and in the near future we hope to buy a years supply at wholesale purchasing. We can greatly reduce our expenses by this.

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody takes the chair.

Oil exploration work is also continuing in the ocean. The first oil deposit is to be explored through these explorations.

When Jayalath Jayawardena MP went with us for peace negotiations to Geneva, we saw that he has so many connections with various young groups and was very busy throughout the period. He has those connections for a long period how and this is nothing new I am an eye witnesser to this truth. He roams throughout Europe during a visit.

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe (UNP): I would firstly like to thank the Speaker for protecting the rights of MPs to express themselves in the House. Whether it is the Government or the Opposition this right should be preserved.

The sixth Amendment was accepted by all of us. But anyone can express their views without harming the integrity of the country. The allegations should be proved with evidence. These issues are raised to tarnish our image. Carry out a full investigation and we ready for it.

Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena: We will move a substantial motion and then will conduct in investigation. We will propose that a Selected Committee be appointed in this regard.

Premalal Jayasekara (Power and Energy Deputy Minister): In Sri Lanka, where 90 percent of the population has access to grid connected electricity, 88 percent of the households have electricity thus leaving another 12 percent of the households to be provided with electricity. We will achieve the target of providing electricity for all by 2012. In order to meet this target, the Ministry has formulated and implemented a number of rural electrification projects and programs utilizing domestic as well as foreign funds.

Ravi Karunanayake (UNP): The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and Ceylon Petroleum Cprporation (CPC) are running at loss. It is necessary that the CEB reduce the electricity bill while measures should be taken to reduce petrol and diesel prices. The UNP Government was able to strengthen the economy which was in the doldrums in 2000. The government should formulate a proper strategy to convert the CEB and CPC into profit earning institutions. Though the Government promised to grant a salary hike of Rs 2,500 to public servant, only five percent of the salary increase was granted. During the UNP regime, we were able to grant 42 percent salary increase to public servants.

Vijitha Herath (DNA): The Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery modernization project has been suspended now.

The project was due to be completed in October this year.

The CPC should take action to set up more filling centres across the country. The Indian Oil Company (IOC) is expanding its service throughout the country.

We are unable to compete with the IOC. If the CPC will not improve business activities. The CEB has increased the electricity bill by eight percent. If the CEB is earning a profit, why were electricity bills increased by eight percent.

P Dayaratne (Senior Minister of Food and Nutrition): Renewable energy sources of the country should be utilized to produce electricity.

There are many possibilities in the coastal areas and the Northern Province to establish more wind power plants.

Wind power is the best option for fuel. If we use more wind power to produce electricity, there will be no necessity to import crude oil.

Then we can save the money flow to other countries. The best solution would be the setting up of nuclear power plants in Sri Lanka to produce electricity.

Yogeswaran (TNA): Many people are on the waiting list to obtain power for their homes in Batticaloa. Please provide them with electricity without further delay. There are frequent power interruptions in Batticaloa.

This has caused many hardships to the people. It is necessary to set up more fuel filling stations in the North and East since the highest demand for fuel is from people living there.

Weerawardena (UPFA): The Government is engaged in an economic war after eliminating terrorism.

A number of development activities have been undertaken by the Government. These development activities are being supervised by the District Development Committees and reviewed at their meetings.

Patali Champika Ranawaka (Power and Energy Minister): No government in the history has invested such a large amount for development proposals, as this sector. We have rendered our services without taking into account losses and profits. We sometimes charge only a small amount as Rs 10,000 even though our cost is more than that in providing services.

We anticipate a drastic increase in electricity generation. We have calculated that the total expenditure will amount to Rs 159 billion in the year 2011.

But our total income as estimated is Rs 129 billion. Therefore, in reality we have to face a loss of Rs 29 billion. We have to understand this reality.

These problems cannot be solved by being in an illusion. From the total cost about 73 percent is spent for electricity generation.

We have also conducted raids for illegal electricity consuming and we have up to now conducted many raids including in the North and East.

I must also say that about 78 percent of the country's population consumes below 90 units of electricity. Therefore, all of them receive this benefit.

Akila Viraj Kariyawasam (UNP): I would like to focus attention towards education. We are expecting an overhaul change in the education sector for a long time. The administration in the education has so many deficits.

Sometimes appointments are given on political favourism. Principals are also appointed in this manner. Several Provincial Education Directors have many allegations made against them.

This system should be changed and the base needed for this change should be initiated from some point. See the administrative weaknesses in Anula Vidyalaya.

Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena: A new principal assumed duties at Anula Vidyalaya from yesterday. She is highly qualified and experienced.

I attended the prize giving ceremony of that school today morning.

Akila Viraj (continues): We are glad to hear that. But not only that particular school, but there are many other schools in the country who have this kind of problems.

Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister Dullas Alahapperuma: I thank Akila Viraj MP for talking to the point, even though I cannot agree for most of the facts he said.

Yesterday and day before yesterday we saw an attempt to resurrect LTTE terrorism which was completely defeated in the Nandikadal lagoon.

I, according my private idea understood this Budget as a bridge that links the past with the future.

The President proposes to improve English language skill in the country. He has implemented a stable program to achieve this.

He also proposes to build a trilingual society to ensure the right of all citizens to interact in the language they prefer.

When one learns Tamil, it is not only the language that he learns but also the Tamil and Muslim cultures. Then that person cannot hate Tamils any more. It is same for a Tamil who learns Sinhala.

This Budget has allocated Rs 16 billion for vocational training. This is an historically large amount for this sector. The labour force will be improved under this vocational training program.

Today, I stand up in this House very proudly. This Ministry is a creation of institutions initiated by both President Rajapaksa and the Opposition Leader.

The literacy and rates to whatever index are very high. But why could not we secure a high position in indexes of technology or agriculture. It is our President who has understood this problem very clearly. The industrial sector of the country is very weak.

We should also think about the students who do not get the opportunity to obtain higher education. A proper plan should be made.

Yesterday, Senior Minister DEW Gunasekera met us. We are very happy that he has been appointed as the Senior Minister of our cluster. We strongly believe that all of us in unison can find solutions to these problems.

All of us including the media talk about those who obtain high marks at the A-L and O-L exams. But nobody pays attention to those who fail all the subjects. Unskilled worker numbers are also high in the country. That is why the President has initiated this program and we are given targets to achieve.

H M A Haleem (UNP): I would like to pay my attention to the education sector with the limited time I have. Our Education Minister is also a reputed teacher and knows about the field.

Today, there are many deficiencies in this sector. I believe that the unqualified people who have been appointed to administrative level is the reason for this issue. Appointments are given on political favouritism. I think eligible and qualified people with managerial skills should be appointed to the high ranks of the administration.

There is a saying that many prisons open as a result of the closure of one school. Many schools have been closed in the country over the past few years.

Pavithra Vanniarachchi (Technology and Research Minister): When we speak of the Technology and Research Ministry I still remember that as a child thought it was full of scientists. Now it's only seven days after I took over this Ministry. We are attempting to make this a people-friendly Ministry.

Today, we are enjoying a freedom after 30 years of terrorism. Now the people are in a better mentality to think of technology and researches.

There should be a technological revolution in the country. Today, world economies have been developed through technological revolution.

This Government has allocated 0.5 percent for the technology and research. The President is of view that we cannot develop the country without a technological revival. Government has allocated Rs 1,000 million for a Technology Development Fund. This allocation has been made for the first time in the country.

The technology is indispensable for development today and I hope that our Ministry would be more popular in future.

In 2010 only Rs 250 million was allocated for the Nano-technology but it has been increased to Rs 600 million for the next year.

As a whole Rs 2,481 million was allocated for this Ministry for 2010 and the allocations made for 2011 is increased to Rs 3,703 million. My view is that President Mahinda Rajapaksa has written the preface of the technology and research development for the future through this Budget proposals.

Sivashakthi Anandan (TNA): A school in Vavuniya is used as a detention camp where 35 teachers and 775 students are unable to use the school.

The history books should be revised.

There are 1,700 children who become orphans due to the humanitarian operations. They should be looked after by the Government.

A H M Azwer takes the Chair

Faizer Musthapa (Technology and Research Deputy Minister): Late Bernard Zoysa stated once that there was a down turn in the fields of Technology and Research during the Colonial Period.

But we have a history of 2,500 years with proud achievements such as Ruwanweli Seya, Sigiriya, various irrigation systems and many others.

Last 30 years of the post independence era our country was engaged with LTTE terrorism and could not focus much on technology and research. This development budget touches the interest of mass of this country.

The Government aim to increase the research and development expenditure in both private and public sector to achieve at least two percent of GDP.

In this regard rupees 1000 million is allocated to set up an innovation and technology development fund which would finance high quality research and innovations.

I think with the mammoth development taking place in the country our Military would play a lead role in the area of technology transfer to take the Mahinda Chintanaya forward.

Mohan Lal Grero (UNP): In the debate on education most members speak of high literacy rate. But why can't we achieve the other goals with this high literacy rate and health standards. It is pointless to teach to read and write without teaching what to write and what to say.

Today students learn only to demand but not to fulfill their obligations. That is the issue today.

There are no students to say "lats do this or Lets do that".

The allocations made for the education through the budget proposals is not adequate.

Thilanga Sumathipala (UPFA): We were born in Colombo and studied in Colombo. We know that there are many facilities in Colombo schools.

But schools in rural areas have no such facilities at all.

That is why this budget has proposed to develop education in rural areas.

This budgets has concentrated almost all the fields in the country.

Tissa Vitarana as the Technology and Research minister has formulated a five years plan to develop the field of technology and research.

Wijedasa Rajapaksa (UNP): After the Advanced Level examination around 20,000 students we admitted to the universities. More than 100,000 who are qualified to enter are deprived of university education.

Most of them go abroad which help to flow money from our country. Today they are going to universities in countries like Bangladesh, India etc as we have no mechanism to provide them education even charging a course fee.

This topic has been discussed for years but nothing has been done to remedy the situation.

Ven Athuraliye Rathana Thera (JHU): I am glad to express my views relating to education. When compared to other Asian countries we are in a good position regarding social values education. Today a meaningful discussion about education is permitted in this House and this is a positive move.

The illiterate rate is 13 percent. About four percent does not attend schools. The duty of an Education Minister is not to provide letters to grant admissions to schools. The number of students who enter to follow the aesthetic subject in the A-L class is two percent. This shows the public opinion in the country.

Now people disregard these subjects and consider them as useless. This should be changed and we have to make people aware of the importance of this subject.

The main means for the spiritual development is through sports. Therefore school students should be encouraged to engage in sports too.

Wasantha Aluvihare (UNP): Due to the absence of a national policy regarding education, we witness a collapse in this sector.

In the sports arena we see a high degree of corruption and irregularities. These matters should be paid proper attention. Some constructions are done without conducting feasibility studies and environmental assessments. There are irregularities in calling tenders and contracts.

The most eligible person had not received them and a huge loss was experienced due to it.

We ask to conduct investigations regarding these issues. We have been selected to this House to bring to the notice of the relevant authorities on these matters.

V S Radhakrishnan (UPFA): The smell of education was felt by the plantation regions in 1978. Until then the schools of the plantation sector were not integrated into the national system. That is why we request a special attention for our region. As reported less than 5 percent of the university students are from plantation areas.

Now the Education Minister is going to implement a national policy and I request him to take special concern about plantation areas. Because their education level is lagging behind compared to other areas of the country.

Most of the students in the plantation areas do not get the opportunity to obtain higher education. After Advanced Level exam they come to Colombo seeking employment.

I would also like to request from the Sports Minister to give a chance for talented sports men and women in Nuwara Eliya. Their talents should be identified and helped.

Pon Selvarasa (TNA): There is a shortage of teachers in some schools in the Eastern Province. The vacancies are there for subjects such as science, maths, English and computer science.

Some schools which were destroyed has not reconstructed yet. I raised this issue even during 2010 Budget. I hope the authorities will pay their attention to this matter at least now. One of these schools were destroyed from the previous tsunami and yet the school is not reconstructed.

The Ocean University situated in Batticaloa was destroyed by the tsunami. This University is still not reconstructed. The staff of the University has been used to sign the register and obtain wages. There are number of widows and they should be given necessary vocational training.

Scientific Affairs Senior Minister Tissa Vitarana: We are all well aware that the President aims to double the per capita income. In this attempt Technology and Research field have a big target.

We have to add high technology to our materials in producing various products. For that we have to deliver modern technology to villages. Vidatha Centres are started aiming this target and over 200 centres are now in function islandwide. Entrepreneurs are supported to use modern technology in their products and thereby to uplift the standard of the outputs. Our industries should be provided with modern technology.

S Vino (TNA): The Government has concrete plans to solve the problems of youth in North.

The Government has not given them employment opportunities. The youth in Vanni are attempting to build their lives and the Government should at least establish Technical Colleges in those areas.

The Government has to win the hearts of the people in those areas. The Government should show the correct path for them.

Mahindananda Aluthgamage (Sports Minister): Considering the criticism made by the members we would take measures to solve them. So far 61 budgets have been presented to Parliament. When we consider the developed countries they have made sports one of their main economic forces.

When we consider the History, President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the first President that said we should achieve this goal.

I hope we were bring victories at the next SAARC games. Our athletes are like blue sapphires in Sabaragamuwa. What we have to do is to cut them and polish only.

Government continues fuel concessions

If we could bring up cricketers like Sangakkara and Muralitheran and if we could bring world cup during Ranathunga's period we can find others who can bring more victories.

Our athletes compete with their ability but in the international sphere others compete with the technology. We have to develop those areas.

New MP Namal Rajapaksa conducted the Carlton rugby tournament and Minister Dilan Perera the beach volleyball tournament.

He is exemplary and this tournament was participated by 6,000 teams which is the highest number ever participated in a tournament.

By next ear we will conduct dope tests on the players who take part in international games although it is very expensive.

We have planned to establish 25 sports schools.

Parliamentarian Arjuna Ranathunga made many suggestions for the development of sports.

He revealed many corruptions in the field.

I request him to handover all those documents to me and I will take necessary action. I request him to help us in this process to develop sports.

V Maheshwaran (UNP): In Vanni the schools don't have electricity telephones, toilets. Some students don't have shoes or uniforms. Those students who are resettled don't have transport modes to reach their schools. Almost all the schools don't have enough facilities. In Kilinochchi 88 schools have been opened. Those schools have to be closed when raining.

In North, MP Namal Rajapaksa is conducting many development projects and I should appreciate them.

Duminda Dissanayake (Youth Affairs and Skills Development Deputy Minister): S Vino stated that the youth in North should be given vocational training.

As a result of President Mahinda Rajapaksa's vision those youth are undergoing vocational training leaving aside the firearms.

Prof Tissa Vitarana (Scientific Affairs Senior Minister): A tremendous progress achieved in the research sector during the last five years.

We need the country be more popular with inventions and innovations. Technicians and scientists should be provided with required assistance to engage their researches.

Harin Fernando (UNP): The Government is taking back plots of land given as presents to national cricket players after they won 1996 cricket World Cup.

That players who are not with the Government have been sent letters informing that their lands will be taken back by the Urban Development Authority.

Each player of the national cricket team was given a plot of land of 10 perches at the Robert Gunawardena Mawatha in Battaramulla as a present after they won the World Cup.

Tharanath Basnayake (UPFA): Education is the most important sector in the country. It has been given prominent place under the present Government.

There are several schools with lack of facilities in rural areas. Therefore, special concerns should be given to develop the rural schools.

Schools destroyed due to the war have been reconstructed in the North and East. Children who affected by the war are attending schools now.

Arjuna Ranatunga (DNA): The sports sector is in crisis today. Former Sports Minister C B Ratnayake did an immense job to eliminate corrupt people from the Sri Lanka Cricket Board. I hope that new Minister Aluthgamage too take measures to expel all corrupt officers.

He said that corrupt officials would try to make new Minister to dance to their tune, so that they can continue with their corrupt practices.

The officials can mislead any such person to comply with their whims and fancies.

There is a mafia of sports ministry and sports association officials. This mafia controls most of the funds allocated for the development of sports.

These officials fill their pockets and shut the mouths of those who shout against them, with foreign trips.

Many intellectuals could have been produced thanks to the free education. The Government has given priority to both physical and moral education through this Budget. It has also given prominent place to uplift facilities in rural schools.

Dinesh Gankande (UNP): I would like to question what has the SLFP done for the development of education.

Today, Piriven education is drastically deteriorating. The necessary attention needed for this education is not paid by the Government.

Conditions are same with the school education. One school is being closed every week. The competition for popular schools has worsened. A proper plan to uplift the school education should be made.

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody takes the Chair.

There is a clear deterioration in the sports sector. That is not because we don't have talented sportsmen and women, but because they are not properly encouraged and supported. They are attempting to leave the country.

Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena: Many useful facts were presented in this House today and I pay my gratitude to all those who presented these useful and meaningful ideas. Children are our future. Knowledge-based education is given prominence under our governance.

We have a highly progressed and developed education system in the country. Over 300,000 children take the admission to Grade One in Sri Lanka.

If we hope that all of their aim should be to enter into the Universities. About 20,000 of them will gain the opportunity to enter Universities.

In pursuit of this target they become depressed and hopeless.

They start to hate the society and involve in violent activities.

As recipients of free education, we thrive to bestow a better and brighter future for our children.

We have created generation that just pursue exams in this competitive education system. Therefore their creativity and free thinking is suppressed.

This education system gives unwanted work loads to students.

Now we have to change this situation.

In popular schools about 50 students are learning in one class.

However there are 2894 schools which have less than 100 students. About 75 percent of the schools in the country have less than 500 students.

There are 8395 schools which have less than 1000 students. Therefore it is for very few schools in urban towns that all flock to gain entrance.

In some schools there is a teacher shortage whereas some schools have an excess. That is why the President proposes through this budget to regularise this sector.

We accept that a clear change in the examination system and textbooks should be made. We focus our attention in this regard now.

Without the necessary qualifications we do not appoint any principal and only after assessing the qualifications that we make the Principals permanent.

Financial Heads were passed with amendments