PARLIAMENT

Karu's clarification was late

Parliamentary Corrs

Petroleum Industries Minister, Susil Premajayantha Wednesday, stated that when UNP Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya had sent in his clarification on Tuesday to the Sunday Island newspaper in respect of his statement, the news had already been circulated throughout the world through various media channels and websites.

Minister Premajayantha made this observation in a statement to Parliament at the commencement of the Orders of the Day.

The Minister further stated that the government had responded to the news item the same day it had appeared and MP Karu Jayasuriya could have responded to it the same day if the news item appearing in the newspaper was incorrect.

He added that Karu Jayasuriya had realized the gravity of the statement only two days after it had appeared in the newspaper.

The Minister also said that the statement had been made deliberately and to coincide with a report scheduled to be released by a panel appointed by UN Secretary General.

He added that the same newspaper had reported the findings of the panel appointed by the UN Secretary General which was to be released next month.

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, at this stage stated that Leader of the House Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva would have made a statement on Tuesday in Parliament which differed from what Minister Susil Premajayantha had stated today.

Karu Jayasuriya had later stated that he spoke of the situation where MP Jayalath Jayawardena had to face in this House.

He said that Jayalath Jayawardena had been assaulted by Minister Dinesh Gunawardena who refuted the allegation saying. "Don't lie, Jayalath Jayawardena was never assaulted in the House."

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, presided when Parliament met at 9.30 a.m Wednesday. After the presentation of papers and oral questions, the House took up the Committee Stage debate on the Appropriation Bill 2011.

The House took up Financial Heads under the Defence Ministry and extension of the State of Emergency by another one month for debate.

Prime Minister D M Jayaratne

The President commenced his second term in office only after he succeeded in winning the main challenge of eradicating terrorism during his first term.

The next major challenge of his second term is to win the economic war. We are aiming to achieve development goals by strengthening the five major sectors of knowledge, power, trade, ports and aviation, which is mentioned in the Mahinda Chintana framework. Sri Lanka's image has got a boost in the international arena after defeating terrorism.

But several forces who are unable to tolerate this victory are trying to revive terrorist activities again in the country. Several parties tried to revive LTTE activities in Sri Lanka with the support of the Tamil diaspora in the world.

The Government has rehabilitated about 1,000 LTTE cadres who surrendered to the Armed Forces. We cannot allow ex-combatants to be armed again. Therefore, arrangements have been made to provide employment opportunities to them.

We have even helped them organize their wedding ceremonies. We need constructive criticism from the Opposition.

It would help correct ourselves if we are following a wrong path. But today, the Opposition is trying to take revenge from the Government.

We all must get together to build the country where everybody can live in peace and harmony. All religious leaders have extended their support to the President. We respect all religions.

It is important to create a country where we can live without fear.

John Amaratunga (UNP): There are thousands of Tamils temporarily sheltered in welfare camps in the North. The Government should take immediate action to resettle them in their original land. Otherwise, Sri Lanka's image will be tarnished by various parties in the international arena.

Ex-LTTE combatants detained in camps should be released immediately after rehabilitation. LTTE leader KP has become a big issue today. It is reported that KP possessed huge wealth. What happened to his wealth?

The Government must disclose this to the people. Why cannot KP's wealth be used to pay salaries and allowances to the security forces? Facilities provided to disabled soldiers are not sufficient. Though the Government promised to look after and provide facilities to disabled soldiers and their families, nothing has been implemented so far.

The crime rate has increased in the country. You may not be able to totally eliminate crime but you can mitigate them through a proper program.

A H M Azwer takes the Chair

If a Parliament member who is representing the people, makes a statement supporting the LTTE, it is a big issue.

MP Karu Jayasuriya who has a very good image in the political arena has made a statement supportive to the LTTE, which is questionable.

We are worried about it. That is why we are compelled to bring the no-confidence motion against him.

Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa: MP Karu Jayasuriya's betrayal cannot be considered as negligible.

We thought him to be an honest, decent and respectable person. But his image has been completely destroyed by his statement. He has become an enemy of the country.

The Opposition is trying to take power by disclosing the topic about war crimes. This is a low class act.

Please reject the statement you have made. Correct your statement before the international media. You have supported pro-LTTE groups through your statement.

This is an incentive given to them. It is useless to say that you did not mention that word. It is not necessary to mention the exact words 'diaspora' and 'war crimes allegations', but newspaper editors know what was indicated through the speech.

Without seeking ways and means for your salvation after being a betrayer, admit that your statement is incorrect.

This is a Democratic Socialist Republic and the public servants are those who provide services to this republic. They should uphold the policies and regulations of the republic. They cannot follow any individual policy or a policy that favours any NGO. Some are trying to change this.

Please stop betraying the country by taking contracts from terrorists.

Karu Jayasuriya (UNP): I am not a person who obtain money from terrorists. Neither do I implement a contract of any group. Eventhough I have not put on a board saying I am a patriot, I do love this country. All these allegations are baseless and have no truth.

I sent this statement to many other English newspapers on Saturday. Sinhala Newspapers were already published on Saturday. Therefore there was no room for my statement in those papers.

I am a person who raised my hand against the LTTE and I supported to destroy it.

There are so many problems in the country and the Government cannot run away from these problems by tarnishing the image of the Opposition in this way. By hanging the tiger label upon MP Jayalath and me, the Government cannot escape from reality.

As the Opposition, we always support the good work of the Government. Let us engage in politics respectfully.

Sarath Weerasekara (UPFA): I am happy to engage in this debate on the day when the financial head of Defence was taken up. The main criticism directed by the Opposition is that a large sum of money is allocated for defence.

Even Buddha had recognized the need to maintain security forces for the defence of a country. Today we have gained peace, but we have to ensure the continuation of this peace.

We have a brave Defence Secretary who could take decisions straight forwardly.

The leadership of the country was also strong enough not to be suppressed to foreign powers and pressures. Even Krushner and Milibank visited our country to stop our efforts, but our leader had the courage to deny their demands.

Free speech was denied in a democratic country as the UK due to pro LTTE activists.

Oxford Union has cancelled the speech of our President and I am very sorry about this decision which reflects the poor condition of freedom in this country.

Deputy Chairman of Committees Chandrakumar Murugesu takes the Chair:

A Vinayagamoorthy (TNA): Every member has the right to speak in this house despite whether he is in the Government or the opposition.

When there is no emergency situation in the country, why cannot the President lift the emergency regulations? What is the point of continuing the emergency? This only affects the Tamil Community.

A high security zone is declared in Sampur and therefore people are denied of their right to go back their land.

We ask the Government when these people would be allowed to go back to their own land.

Kamala Ranatunga (UPFA): The strength of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajpaksa was supportive to the President to conclude the brutal terrorism which lasted for nearly 30 years in the country.

There were plans to arrest our president who ended a 30 year curse to the country.

Eventhough MP Jayalath claimed not to be present in London during the arrival of the President, we cannot dismiss the fact that he organized pro LTTE groups in London against our President we ask him why he brought his passport to the house on the day of this issue? Most of the members in this house have passports.

But we usually do not carry it to the house.

First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa bestowed her child to the Navy and directed him to save the country.

They had a feeling for the country in their blood. The Rajapaksa family never betrayed the country at any cost.

Vijitha Herath (DNA): It is Fonseka who gave leadership to the war. But today, he is arrested nearly one and half years have passed after the war. What benefits are given to the soldiers who dedicated their limbs to save the country.

They are not being paid any attention even from this budget.

We see various dramas being played throughout the budget debate, to turn the attention of the people to other things.

Those dramas are continued even after the clarifications are made.

M K A D S Gunawardena (Buddha Sasana Deputy Minister): When we consider the salaries of the Police and Military service, an officer of military service receives a salary and allowance of Rs 16,785 than a police officer.

We have to appreciate the service of the police. Another matter is that if police personnel were allowed to retire at the completion of 20 years in service, another 25,000 youth will get employment opportunities.

Palitha Range Bandara (UNP): The number of applications made to invest in Sri Lanka by overseas companies have reduced daily. 418 companies have requested to invest in Sri Lanka during the year 2009. Our airport is located in the middle of an Air Force camp. The Government has forgotten the war heroes, and does not provide them welfare and does not address their housing issue.

Patali Champika Ranawaka (Power and Energy Minister): Today we are in a transmissive period to change the Security Forces that defeated the terrorists to be used to provide security to the public.

The Opposition questioned as to why a huge allocations was made for the Defence Ministry. Still, there are loans to be settled for the purchase of weapons we bought during operations. The other matter is that we have to provide welfare for those war heroes. On the other hand, our forces are working very hard for the economic development of this country, as the Chinese forces did after their great victory.

We know that terrorist are attempting to come up with the support of the international community.

We knew what risk was taken by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to visit London. But as a national leader, he went there. After the cancellation of the speech, our leader and External Affairs Minister behaved in a diplomatic manner and stated that there was no right of speech in the 'home of free speech'.

Now UK is dominated by terrorists and the UK has become a country that should be liberated. Miliband who talked of human rights of our country, is reported to have kept cluster bombs in his possession which are internationally illegal military equipment. Such people are claiming that we have no human rights.

When we consider the cooperation of the Government and Opposition in other countries in any national issue, I like to note that the Indian Opposition Leader represented the country to explain the situation to the United Nations with regard to the Indo-Kashmir issue. Can our country send our Opposition Leader to represent the country in such an issue?

Now certain members try to point out that the people in the North are suffering because of the Government.

I wish to question as to what difficulties are faced by the Tamil community for being Tamil nationals.

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody takes the Chair

Jayalath Jayawardena (UNP): The Government members branded me as a traitor. My life is now in danger. The law of the jungle prevails in the country now. I have never engaged in any conspiracy against the Government.

If the Government has evidence of my collaboration with the LTTE, then prove it. Please conduct a proper investigation. You cannot hide the truth and it will be revealed soon.

Mahindananda Aluthgamage (UPFA) (Sports Minister): It is Jayalath Jayawardena MP who signed an agreement with Norway to divide the country.

He is engaged in dividing the country with LTTE supporters. It was a great betrayal which will be written in the history of Sri Lanka. Parliamentarian Jayawardena was appointed to look after the Northern Province under the Ranil Wickremesinghe regime. He conducted many meetings with pro-LTTE groups during that period. Today, you are trying to provoke the people against the President. You are a real traitor.

Wijayadasa Rajapakse (UNP): President's speech at the Oxford Union was cancelled. It is an insult to the country. But we should consider what really happened there.

The President must have paid concern to the security situation before he attended the meeting. There is a External Affairs Ministry here and a Sri Lankan High Commission in the UK. Why did the President not obtain advice from them? We really want to know who is really responsible for this incident.

Chandrakumar Murugesu (UPFA): The Government in specially concerned with the security situation in Sri Lanka. We do not want to see the ugly heads of terrorism rising again. Therefore, it is necessary to allocate sufficient amount of money for Defence. The Government should provide a proper solution to the ethnic issue. Then we do not want to allocate such a huge amount of money for Defence Ministry.

Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Minister Douglas Devananda: The views that I express, do not limit to any group nor myself. Those views are common views of humanity.

The right to live is a basic need of a human. This right of Tamil Community should be preserved. We said that there was no need to succumb to military means to gain the rights of Tamils and nothing positive can be gained for the Tamil community through war. We could foresee reality.

The things we said have become real. The Tamil community should be provided a leadership to safeguard their rights. There had been mistakes in the Tamil leadership in the past. However, now those are connected to history. We have to consider the future more seriously. Many in the North and the East areas are now re-settled and many have come forward to support those people.

Today a fair opportunity has emerged in the country and we should use this opportunity for the welfare of the Tamil community.

Indigenous Medicine Minister Salinda Dissanayaka: Vijitha Herath, MP said that millions of money is granted for various organizations to build the image of the President. This is completely false and the real nature of JVP is shown by these kinds of misleading statements. They are in a haste to gain power. The Opposition has no maturity in politics. Their ideology about revolution is too simple.

A H M Azwer takes the Chair.

Salinda Dissanayaka continues: During Sirima Bandaranaike's regime, she could safe guard the government without being deceived by various conspiracies. The violence and aggressiveness were introduced to politics in the country by the JVP.

P H Piyasena (TNA): Today the country has been reunited and the North and South are relinked. As security is essential for a residence to safegaurd it from various external problems, the country also should be provided with necessary security. We see that the TNA's decision to abstain from voting during this budget division as appreciable.

Considerable allocations are made for defence to ensure the security of the country. This budget has proposed development activities in every district. It has looked into the development of the whole country.

S Sritharan (TNA): Some members while being in the TNA are trying to betray the party by crossing over to the government.

P H Piyasena (TNA): Point of Order. We have never betrayed the Tamil community. We joined the Government to win the rights of the Tamil community and support its development process. We remained in the Opposition for a long time gaining nothing.

S Sritharan (TNA) continues: When the rights of the Tamil community are questioned, the government suppresses them as terrorists.

The Government is not attempting to grant a political solution to the problem of the Tamils. Sri Lanka is a multi ethnic country. The Sinhala community should accept this fact.

Public Coordination and Public Affairs Minister Mervyn Silva: I address my fellow MPs. There was a ruthless period in this country in the past. People were killed brutally on roads and in residences. No leader in the history of our country could prevent this situation except our president with the contribution of our brave soldiers in the three forces.

The coordination between the ethnic groups should not be lost. The British tried to divide this country. Do not think that we will be afraid of the attempts of the British to raise the LTTE flag. We are not afraid of white skins. They had wanted to destroy this country and our environment since the colonial rule. Sri Lanka cannot be harmed while President Rajapaksa rules this country.

All attempts by the diaspora are useless an we are ready to face them.

Do not attempt to create unnecessary problems in the country. Let all the ethnicities live in harmony. No harm will reach this country until Rajapaksa family rules this country.

Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Amaraweera: Due to the cancellation of our President's speech, it is the British who gained the ill-fame. It was a blackmark to the British. It could not ensure security for a State leader.

When we had the terrorist threat at its height, any foreigner could come to our country and make any statement. Our Government could provide security to them. But England could not do it, although they did not have any threat.

Now any member could go any where in the world and come back after making any statement thanks to the environment brought about by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The UNP maintains double standards. UNP Deputy Leader expresses one opinion while Jayalath Jayawardena expresses another.

Dinesh Gankanda (UNP): The Government get the State of Emergency extended after one and half years, after the completion of the war. With that law they suppress their opponents. 'Was it for these matters that the Government gets the State of Emergency extended ?'

Mahinda Amaraweera (Disaster Management Minister): This member is making complaints continually against the Government and public servants. Don't read material written by someone else.

Keheliya Rambukwella (Mass Media and Information Minister): The so-called economist here questioned as to why such an amount was allocated for the Defence Ministry. I wish to ask the opposition whether they would send the war heroes back to their homes after operations?

There are nations who granted as loans and donations to purchase military equipment to defeat terrorism. We have to pay our gratitude to them by paying them back. We have initiated to pay them back by next year. For another few years, we will have to make such allocations.

Now anybody who is not blind could see that there are many projects which have been initiated with the support of the forces in Colombo and suburbs.

The Opposition members such as Wijedasa Rajapaksa and Dayasiri Jayasekera attempted to say that the incident in UK was a disgrace to the country.

When an invitation was received, as leader of the country, the President accepted the invitation.

The President who always accepts challenges for the sake of the nation and its people, accepted this challenge as well. If he did not accept the invitation you would say that the President did not accept the invitation out of fear. When 4,000 to 5,000 pro terrorists pressurized, they cancelled the speech. Then, on whose side lies dishonour? Ours or theirs?

As a world famous leader who defeated the most ruthless terrorist outfit in the world. President Mahinda Rajapaksa accepted the invitation and flew to England. Those who stated that terrorism is a cancer after the September 11 incident, cancelled the program for fear of the terrorists.

But we can be proud to have such a brave leader who can accept any challenge and face any situation.

Thissa Karalliyadda (Child Development and Women's Affairs Minister): The LTTE celebrated Heroes Day in Vavuniya. While we could not go to that area. The Opposition wanted us to open the road blocks.

Deputy Chairman of Committees Chandrakumar Murugesu takes the Chair.

Who gave the terrorists weapons? We know when to open those road blocks.

Various NGOs who came in the guise to support the country were operating inimical schemes. We have to be vigilant about these institutions.

P Rajathurei (UNP): The Government should employ Tamil speaking police personnel to police stations located in estate areas, where Tamil speaking people reside.

The Government should also find out whether those police personnel could work in the Tamil language.

H M Haris (UPFA): The UNP entered into an MoU with the LTTE without the consent of the people of the country. The LTTE chased away the Muslims from Jaffna district in the 90s.

Ajith P Perera (UNP): The Government has to make adequate allocations for the Ranaviru Seva Authority to provide welfare for war heroes who made sacrifices in various ways.

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody takes the Chair.

Dayasiri Jayasekara (UNP): Although there are many meaningful issues to debate in Parliament, Government members are always engaged in mud slinging at the Opposition.

We accept that it is a great achievement addressing the Oxford Union. But why did the President go to UK, if the British Government was warned of the situation in the country?

The British Government had officially informed him about the situation. So who is the person who made arrangements to send the President to UK and who is behind this situation?

Nimal Siripala de Silva (Irrigation and Water Management Minister): Today people are living free in the aftermath of the war. We achieved this victory making many commitments and sacrifices. Therefore, it is necessary to preserve the peace not allowing terrorist activities to take place. That is why sufficient funds are still allocated for national security. We have to get together to prevent the rising of ugly heads of terrorism again. The Government has not forgotten the commitments and sacrifices made by the security forces during the war. That is why large amounts of funds are allocated for the welfare of the Armed Forces through this budget. Money utilized to purchase weapons earlier will be utilised to provide training for security forces personnel, nationally and internationally.

The House was adjourned until 9.30 am today.