PARLIAMENT

Jaffna Varsity to be upgraded

Parliamentary Corrs

Speaker Chamal Rajapksa presided when Parliament met at 9.30 am yesterday. After presentation of papers and oral questions answered, the house took up the committee stage debate of the Appropriation Bill 2011.

The house took up financial heads under Higher Education, Irrigation and Water Resources Management, Land and Land Development, Plantations Industries, Coconut Development and Janatha Estate Development, Agriculture, Agrarian Services and Wildlife, Minior Export Crop Promotion and Water Supply and Drainage Ministries for debate.

*Anura Dissanayake (DNA): Education is an important subject in the country, but at present, there are many problems pertaining to the higher education policies, the need to introduce a suitable higher education system is the need of the hour.

Due to the free education system, equal opportunities are there for the poor village community as well as to those who live in cities. If not for the free education system, a person like SB Dissanayake would not have reached a position as the Higher Education Minister. The University Grants Commission should not be subject to any political influence.

A question before us today is whether we continue to open doors for free higher education, or close this avenue. Nearly 41 percent of the country’s population earns less than two dollors per day.

A private medical university has been established in Malabe. About nine million rupees are required to complete the 5 year medical degree in this university.

How many parents in this country are able to afford such a sum of money? There is a severe shortage of university lecturers in our local university system. Therefore lecturers should be provided with the necessary facilities and also attractive remuneration to remain in the country.

*Higher Education Deputy Minister Nandimithra Ekanayaka: Today we take up the vote of the Higher Education Ministry for debate.

The society we aim to create should be enriched with five pillars, while knowledge is the main forcus among these five pillars.

We welcome Anura Dissanayake MP to participate in the workshop to discuss issues related to the higher education sector. Let us share ideas and make a constructive plan with the contribution of elites and intellectuals of the country.

Our aim is to create through university education a graduate, well educated, disciplined and creative.

A severe criticism in directed at the establishment of private universities. We must consider providing more avenues for our children to acquire higher education.

Dissanyake MP showed us in figures the amount required to obtain the degree at the Malabe University.

But converting this amount to foreign currency and comparing it with the fees of foreign universities, our children studying in those universities would have to spend much more than this amount for their higher education.

A large sum of money is allocated from this budget to develop facilities in our local universities.

This money is not allocated to establish private universities, but only for the improvement of local universities. Massive projects too will be implemented in these universities by using this funds.

MP Dissanayaka also spoke about the Salaries of lecturers. However, we have increased their research allowance by 25 percent which is a handsome amount.

I would like to raise a question as to whether children studying in grade five pass the scholarship exam through free education? Do those children seek private tuition for this exam?

*Akila Viraj Kariyawasam (UNP): Many problems have cropt up in the higher education sector. Jayawardenepura University’s Vice Chancellor has suspended a student Buddhist monk who had died several months ago.

The suspension had been imposed on the monk for participating in a protest.

The authorities, without any further inquiry had suspended the monk who had died several months before the suspension.

*Akila Viraj Kariyawasam (UNP): Graduates who pass out from universities do not find suitable jobs. Arts graduates, most of the time, go to their villages and just engage in cultivations. They do not use their knowledge at all for the employment, they are engage in.

*A H M Azwer takes the Chair.

*Mavei Senadirajah (TNA):

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has promised to utilize Rs 600 million to develop Universities of Moratuwa, Ruhuna, Colombo and Kelaniya to global standards.

But you didn’t propose any such development program for the Universities in the North.

*S B Dissanayake Higher Education Minister: Now the Government is in discussion with the Indian Government to upgrade the standard of the Jaffna University with their support. We clearly state that the Jaffna University development project will commence without delay.

*Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody takes the Chair.

Wasantha Senanayake (UPFA): The facilities provided for higher education is inadequate.

Some of the students who were unable to obtain higher education in Sri Lankan Universities and go overseas. Many graduates are unemployed while most of the others are under employed.

Then another question arises. Are they really employable? Those are the issues that the Government is attempting to address.

Even in the UK, apart from Oxford and Cambridge Universities, there are many more Universities established to cater to the needs. Why don’t we take a leaf out of it?

*Lakshman Kiriella (UNP): There is an issue regarding external degrees with the new circular. The Government is attempting to open private Universities, which is a good move. But the Government should continue with the external degree programs.

If we intend to follow a degree in a private University, one would need Rs one million for a year. The cost of an external degree may be Rs 40,000. But the standard of external degree should be raised.

An English speaking culture is the need of the hour. Even in my district there are more than 7,000 to 8,000 students registered to follow external degrees.

*Chandrakumar Murugesu (UPFA): Higher Education should be upto international standards to compete with other Universities in the world.

The Jaffna University, a prominent University in the country, has many shortages and difficulties. Under this situation, I am certain the Government will take measures to develop it with infrastructure facilities and also lecturers should be provided to that University which will enable students to be proficient in IT and the English language.

*Buddhika Pathirana (UNP): The Higher Education system should be developed with high quality, appropriate to national needs and aspirations, in keeping to global trends.

The highest levels of learning, professional training and research are one of the many important issues to be addressed in the higher education system. Knowledge of students should be improved upto global standard to meet the requirements of the job market.

Funds allocated for the Mahapola Scholarship scheme are inadequate to provide bursaries for the University students. Only Rs 2,500 is provided to a student as Mahapola bursary and students find it difficult to bear up their expenses with this money.

*Thilanga Sumathipala (UPFA): Minister S B Dissanayake is a very capable Minister.

We are confident that he will take steps to expand higher education opportunities and develop the quality and facilities of our higher education institutes as well as quality, skills and commitment of the academic and administrative staff.

The Minister will be able to create a new path in Higher Education.

It is necessary to change the attitudes understanding the current global opportunities and thereby identifying the challenges facing us. A knowledge based system to cope with international requirements needs to be created.

*Shantha Bandara (UPFA): Education is a long-term investment. Not only education, but giving due recognition to extra curricula activities is essential to bring up a more disciplined person in society.

Sports skills of children too have been disregarded today due to high competition of the education system.

But it is necessary to direct children to more extra curricula activities which would enable the creation of a more innovative and disciplined young generation.

*Eran Wickramaratne (UNP): Now is the time to make a difference in the education system. It is necessary to create a State program to provide employment to nearly 20,000 graduates as soon as they qualify from the Universities.

Major changes too are necessary to upgrade the system, processes, skills and values in the higher education system.

Communication skills, English knowledge, IT skills and logical thinking should be enhanced among the University students.

*Shehan Semasinghe (UPFA): The Government has given top priority to higher education. Minister S B Dissanayake is making attempts to restore democracy in the University system. It is the JVP who frequently try to create trouble in the University system by obstructing the education of students.

It is necessary to update the curricula to suit modern day requirements. We are happy that action is taken by the Government to conduct courses in the English medium in Universities.

*Rosy Senanayake (UNP): Lack of allocations, mismanagement and corruptions has led higher education into jeopardy.

How can we reach the knowledge-based society with weaknesses and shortcomings in the higher education system? Without bringing up all universities to international standards, we are unable to look for job opportunities in the international job market. A conducive environment where students can learn happily should be created in the Universities.

*Gamini Jayawickrama Perera (UNP): The cultivation industry should be developed in a manner to make the poor rich. If it is developed to makes the rich richer, it would be useless. We have to empower the poor. What is your long-term and short-term plan to develop the cultivation industry in Sri Lanka?

*Dinesh Gunawardena (Water Supply and Drainage Minister): Our Ministry operates mostly the projects to supply drinking water to the public. Our Ministry is taking all possible measures to fulfill President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s wish to make 85 percent of the population access to drinking water in 2015.

The access to drinking water, is a yardstick of the development. We have initiated 28 mega projects across the country to provide drinking water to the public.

The Sabaragamuwa, Kolonna, Balangoda water projects are significant among those projects. The other matter is that there are complaints from the people in Jaffna that they don’t have access to drinking water.

We will initiate Iranamadu Jaffna water project next year to cater to that need. In the East, we will initiate such a mega project in Trincomalee next year. The Batticaloa water project will be completed by January.

Thereafter the Ampara project will be commenced as the next phase. In the same way, Vavuniya, Mannar and Uva will get water projects.

The projects will be extended in Ambatale, Colombo North and in Gampaha to fulfill the drinking water need.

We have formulated plans to use rain water without waste.

The non-revenue water in Colombo, is 51 percent. The loss is estimated at Rs 2.7 million. We have formulated measures to actively take action against those culprits.

I have to note that more than 3.2 million people are benefited from the Community Water Projects. They are constructed by them and becomes income earning projects.

Last year the allocations made for our ministry was Rs 25 billion and this year it has increased to Rs 29.4 billion.

*A. Vinayagamoorthy (TNA): We hope the Government would take measures to bring Mahaweli water to Jaffna. The Iranamadu Jaffna water project want cater to the needs of the drinking water issue in Jaffna district. We are happy the government is to initiate this Iranamadu – Jaffna water project.

*Shantha Bandara takes the Chair.

S M Chandrasena (Agrarian Services and Wildlife Minister): We have taken measures to strengthen the Agrarian Services Board as more than 13,000 farmers’ association are controlled under it.

The Government has allocated Rs 9,000 million as an initial amount to repair 25,000 small irrigation systems out of 40,000. The budget has allocated Rs 200 million to re-cultivate the abandoned paddy fields. Now the government has prohibited the reclamation of paddy fields in Colombo cities and suburbs.

The reclamation has caused flooding and Colombo and the suburbs are badly affected by this issue.

The human-elephant conflict is really a conflict between the farmers and elephants. The lives of both man and elephant had been lost in the conflict.

Now President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Economic Minister Basil Rajapaksa has handed over a project to Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa to find a solution to this issue. As a result, 3000 Civil Defence Force personnel have been trained under the Wildlife Department and deployed in areas where elephant-human conflicts taken place.

*P Harison (UNP): The Wildlife Director said that 170 elephants were killed this year and most of them were killed by Home Guards. You are going to deploy 3,00 Civil Defence Force personnel to control the human-elephant conflict. What will happen to the elephants.

*S M Chandrasena, Agrarian Services and Wildlife Minister: We did not arm the home guards with -56 fire arms. We give them only thunder flashes. So, such an issue will not arise.

*P Harison (UNP): Imported seeds are very expensive. But the seeds are still imported. Then chemicals have to be imported for use during cultivation.

*Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva:

Now attention is paid to a program to utilize water which is being wasted. This program will be implemented throughout the island.

*Shivasakthy Ananthan (TNA): Youth Parliamentarians are seen in the gallery and I extend my best of wishes to them on behalf on the TNA. I would like to specially congratulate those selected from the North and East.

More facilities should be provided to those engaged in Agriculture and Fishing.

The Government should treat all fairly and equally during this post conflict era. But we do not see this kind of behaviour from the Government.

The facilities for agriculture are very poor in the North. Therefore, the agricultural sector in these areas has collapsed. Wild elephants destroy cultivations in the Vanni. These problems should be solved.

*Plantation Industries Deputy Minister Earl Gunasekara: I am happy to deliver my speech when a person who is fluent in all three languages is chairing.

The leader of this country had understood the importance of cultivation. Therefore, about Rs 300 million is allocated for the tea and rubber industries. Incentives too are given to the cultivators of tea and rubber to improve their cultivations. Loan facilities have also been introduced for their benefit. A cess is also introduced for the welfare of this sector. The fertilizer subsidy is also continuing to encourage the cultivations.

An Opposition member is inviting me to join them again. How can I take such a decision?

The Opposition thought this war could never be concluded in a victorious manner.

They are now betraying the country with various statements. The condition of the Opposition saddens me.

*Anoma Gamage (UNP):

Agriculture is important in economic terms, since it provides a livelihood for many families in the country.

Food security alone is not sufficient to become the Miracle of Asia.

The agricultural sector encompasses many other fields. Herbal plants cultivation should not be neglected. This Government claimed to purchase paddy at a certified price.

But it did not happen practically. However, the President allocated a considerable sum of money for paddy purchasing.

I am grateful to the President over this act of his on behalf of the Ampara district people.

*Water Supply and Drainage, Deputy Minister Nirupama Rajapaksa:

I would like to focus on the financial head of the Water Supply and Drainage Ministry.

The Water Supply and Management is important for the survival of human-being and animals. We have been able to obtain 855.5 million Dollars as foreign aid and intends to improve this sector.

This is a 45 percent increase. About 27 water supply projects are being implemented in the country at present. More projects are to be initiated with various foreign aid.

Even the USA has come forward to support us in this endeavour, while many more countries have been contributing to water supply projects in the North and East.

*Sajith Premadasa (UNP): I would like to pay attention to Wildlife and Agrarian Services to strengthen the activities under this portfolio. There is a severe crisis in the field of wildlife. Nobody can point a finger to one Government or party for this crisis.

This crisis has emerged due to a lack of planned integrated national policy regarding wildlife. It has become more serious, since no Government has paid attention to the issue. Therefore, this Ministry has a serious responsibility.

A community participatory wildlife conservation program should be implemented in this regard.

People who live in adjacent areas of elephant habitats, suffer from human-elephant conflicts.

*Coconut Development and State Plantations Development Minister Jagath Pushpakumara:

The implementation of budgetary proposals would entail a massive work to carry forward the country to became the Miracle of Asia.

The history of the coconut, can be traced back to many years. Our aim is to increase coconut production and our Ministry is dedicated to achieve this target. We also encourage other cultivations and pay attention to animal husbandry. We also try to add more value to coconut related products.

Innovative coconut productions are to be added to the market. Due to dry weather conditions that prevailed in the country, coconut production can decreased. We experience rains at present. Weather affects the cultivations.

Allocating funds to produce seeds within the country is not sufficient.

The Government should intervene to produce locally the seeds required. It is reported that five private companies have undertaken seed production. It is necessary to provide high quality seeds to farmers at low costs. The seed varieties should be long-lasting and resistant to disease.

*Siripala Gamlath (Lands and Land Development Deputy Minister): Land forms the base for any sort of development. So, we have to plan speedy remedial solution to land related problems, which hinder the development process.

In this process, new legislation will be introduced to solve land disputes with a view to enabling the general public to reap optimal benefits out of their own lands.

Also, we have been able to issue a title certificate under the Bimsariya program, where the title to the land is registered together with other documents and also entrusted with a State guarantee.

*Thalatha Athukorale (UNP): Mahinda Samarasinghe is a capable Minister who was able to improve the plantation sector to some extent. But the Government has not allocated sufficient funds for the plantation sector through this Budget.

Tea, rubber and coconut are the major crops which bring foreign exchange to the country. Smallholders engaged in these three cultivations should be provided with the required facilities. It is reported that many shortcomings and malpractices have taken place in fertilizer distribution.

The Government should take measures to stop these malpractices and provide fertilizer subsidy without any delay to farmers.

*Nimal Siripala de Silva (Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister): Irrigation and Water Resources Management is a subject bonded with the common people. Agriculture is still one of our main economic activities and in this regard irrigation development is one of our major responsibilities.

It is no secret that due to terrorist activities in the North-East, irrigation systems had fallen into a dilapidated conditions.

For the development of the Eastern Province, irrigation systems, a rehabilitation program costing Rs 300 million, has been initiated.

The Irrigation Department has taken steps to establish 15 tanks, centering Yala and Lunugamvehera Parks.

Construction and design activities of the Rambukkan Oya and Deduru Oya Reservoir Projects are nearing completion.

*Wijayapala Maheshwaran (UNP): Jaffna is surrounded by the sea. Access to drinking water is an issue. I suggest that the Water Supply and Drainage Ministry address this issue by commencing a drinking water project. It should be a sustainable solution. There was a project proposed even before the humanitarian operation was ended, to provide water to Jaffna from the Iranamadu Tank. Since terrorism is over, I think you can attend to this project.

*Dinesh Gunawardena (Water Supply and Drainage Minister): In response to your request, I wish to state that we have already allocated money for the commencement of projects to provide drinking water to Jaffna District in 2011. I request you to support us.

*Lasantha Alagiyawanna (Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Deputy Minister):

According to reports, a higher percentage of people in Sri Lanka have access to drinking water that those in China and India. With the guidance of Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa by 2012, we have planned to increase accessibility of drinking water in the Gampaha District to 100 percent.

The rural water project was very successful.

*Gayantha Karunatilake (UNP): The tea industry is so pivotal in Sri Lanka, that 13 percent of the export income is earned by tea exports.

We were in the third place in tea export earlier, but now we have gone down to fourth place. Kenya is now in the third place.

*Reginald Cooray (Small Export Crops Promotion Minister): When we consider minor export crops, actually the main export income of the early kings were earned through them.

Now the price of cinnamon has increased to Rs 1,300, while pepper price has increased to Rs 481 per kilo. The price of cocoa beans has increased to Rs 325 per kilo. All the prices of minor export crops have increased. So, the farmers get a good income. The extent of lands under these crops should be increased.

Earlier we had 40,000 acres under cashew cultivation. But now, we have only 4,000 acres due to the 30-year terrorism. We have planned to recultivate those lands.

*W K Ekanayake (Irrigation and Water Resources Management Deputy Minister):

Today we have a golden opportunity to develop this country after the elimination of terrorism. Do not miss this opportunity.

Deputy Chairman of Committees Murugesu Chandrakumar takes the Chair. Today the Opposition members speak in a manner as if we haven’t had a terrorist menace in the country.

*Palitha Range Bandara (UNP): Today the price of coconuts has increased immensely. There are many reasons for it. One is the increase of population and colonies. The other is that coconut estates have been divided into small plots. Another reason is the Mita disease and the beetle menace. The other matter is that the Government had not given fertilizer subsidy to the coconut cultivators.

At this stage Member showed two halves of coconuts to the House.

*Palitha Range Bandara (UNP): Now the price of each half of the coconut is Rs 35 and a coconut is Rs 70. I did not bring them. They were on my table. I table these two halves of coconuts.

*Bandula Gunawardena (Education Minister):

I make a point of order. This August assembly is not meant for jokes. To bring coconuts in to the House is unparliamentary. I request you to inquire into how these coconut halves were brought into the House.

*Palitha Range Bandara (UNP) continues:

I didn’t bring them. They were on my table.

*Murugesu Chandrakumar (Deputy Chairman of Committees):

I order these materials to be taken out.

*Mahinda Samarasinghe (Plantations Minister):

Members Ajith Kumara and Thalatha Athukorala spoke of fertilizer. We have introduced a new kind of fertilizer last September, which is recommended by the Tea Research Institute.

As the price of tea has gone up our view is that we do not need to grant the fertilizer subsidy any longer. But to encourage the small tea estate owners, we will continue to grant the subsidy. UNP Member Gayantha Karunathilake spoke of recultivation of tea plantations.

*Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody takes the Chair.

It is true. We have to recultivate them otherwise we won’t be able to say that our tea is of best quality. For the moment, we have 0.5 percent of recultivation. My aim is to increase it to 3 per cent.

There are barren lands in 23 estates in the country. I have granted them a six month grace period to cultivate those areas. If they fail to do so, we will take over those areas of the estate and allow youth to cultivate. When we consider the markets, we still have very large areas to explore. America is one.

*Mahinda Samarasinghe (Plantation Industries Minister)

The traditional plantation crops have secured a prominent place in the national economy, while also being an active stakeholder in resolving economic and social problems of both estates and rural communities.

We have entered the path of developing the plantation sector under the guidance of the President. In order to increase the productivity of tea, rubber, coconut and sugarcane plantations through new planting, replanting subsidies and marketing promotional programs, the Ministry has already taken steps to increase productivity in planted lands to obtain high yields from plantations.

*Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena: In an era where the entire world is facing a food crisis, we in Sri Lanka, having understood the reality of the problem, have taken suitable measures, giving priority to the local food production. As a result, we were able to obtain a recorded paddy harvest of 4.1 million metric tons in 2010 and a marked improvement shown, in respect of other food crops, particularly producing nearly 1,46,000 MT of maize. Meanwhile, we are hoping to achieve the target of bringing uncultivated lands under the plough while 14,784 acres of abandoned paddy lands were cultivated during the year under review. The agriculture sector’s contribution is representing a higher rate (11.9 percent) of economic growth when compared with the overall economic growth which reached 8.5 percent during the year.

*Deputy Chairman of Committees Chandra Kumar Murugesu takes the Chair.

*Small Export Crops Promotion Minister Reginald Cooray:

As a person who has obtained all the benefits of free education, I am happy to speak about higher education in the country. Some were critical of C W W Kannangara, for introducing the free education system, saying that there would be nobody to engage in occupations which have low status, since all would receive university education.

Today, there is a challenge to make this country the hub of Asia’s education.

Today many students go abroad in their thirst for education. However, what we need is not to send out children abroad, but to attract students of other countries into our country for higher education. We are capable of this and we have the necessary qualifications for it. Our students attain very high marks and ranks in foreign countries. This is because of the high educational standard in our country. There is high competition too in our examinations.

*Vijayakala Maheswaran (UNP): Those who complete their studies, should be provided with suitable employment. Even though the government has promised to provide employment to them, this promise is not fulfilled.

There are many shortcomings in universities too. The Jaffna University requires more facilities. A proper plan should be made to upgrade university education. Vavuniya Education Faculty is now reopen. It faced many difficulties during the past war period.

*Janaka Wakkumbura (UPFA): On Wednesday, the results of the Advanced Level Examination were released. Over 230,000 students had sat for this examination and among them 140,381 have qualified for university admission. This pass rate is 62 percent. However, only about 22,000-23,000 will get the opportunity to enter local universities.

Today there is a high demand for higher education. It is commendable. After completion of higher education, necessary job opportunities should be created in the country. Most of the officials in high ranks in government institutions, are those who obtained degrees from our universities.

*P Thigambaram (UPFA): I am happy to point out a few facts related to higher education. The requirements of the students in the plantation sector should be given prominent attention.

The President has given special attention to the needs of these children, which is commendable. There are suggestions to set up a university in the upcountry. I think Nuwara Eliya is the most suitable place to set up the university, a task which is very important for the estate region.

*Higher Education Minister S B Dissanayake: Members brought out many important and useful facts and suggestions. I thank them all.

Some figures brought out by MP Dissanayake is misleading. We establish non-governmental universities, not only to earn foreign income, but also for the benefit of our students. There is a regulation that non-governmental universities should reserve an intake of 20 percent of the total number for local students. There are many private institutions which provide foreign degrees and diplomas in the country without maintaining proper standards. But, nobody criticizes those institutions.

It is when the Government intervened to regularize higher education that private universities by imposing proper laws and regulations that attempts are made to hinder it.

Another aim of this initiative is to save our foreign exchange.

It is seen that a large sum of foreign exchange flows out of the country as a result of our students seeking higher education in foreign countries. Moreover, this will be a good opportunity for us to earn foreign exchange.

There are limitations for Pakistan students to enter into Indian universities and the situation is same for Indian students who want to obtain higher education in Pakistan.

There is no such barrier for any foreign student to study in Sri Lanka. Therefore, all those students will come to Sri Lanka.

See the situation in the health sector. Even though there are private hospitals, the conditions of Government hospitals did not deteriorate.

Today, even Government hospitals are trying to improve their facilities to compete with private hospitals. Let us make our universities international. If not, these will not become universities but will be limited to local students.

We have to change this to meet international standards. These universities will create a real youth surpassing traditional barriers.

Some students took over the administration of universities into their own hands in the recent past. This should not be allowed to continue.

There was no private university in China some years ago. But now there are over 190 private universities in China. We can empower the local university system through non-governmental universities. Therefore, let this change happen.

Today, Udul is released. We do not want to keep any student under police custody. What we want is to bring up these students in a disciplined manner.

*House adjourned untill 9.30 am today