PARLIAMENT

Elderly need prominence

Parliamentary Corrs

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody presided when Parliament met at 1pm yesterday.

Following the presentation of petitions and oral questions, the House took up the Protection of the Rights of Elders (Amendment) Bill (Second Reading) and the Mediation Boards (Amendment) Bill (Second Reading) for debate.

Social Services Minister Felix Perera: There are two million elders in the country. The elderly population is expected to increase by 25 percent by 2012. This amendment to the Protection of the Rights of Elders Bill, will further assure the wellbeing and safety of the elders.

We know that the elderly have various abilities. There are popular and talented elderly artistes, musicians, actors and actresses and even politicians in the world. Their abilities and talents should be improved by providing them with prominent places. The Elders Secretariat which has been implemented under the purview of the Ministry has made great strides by working for the benefit of the elders.

The issuing of identity cards by the Elders Secretariat has benefited the Elders immensely as they could purchase their medicine at Osu Sala outlets islandwide. Elders should not be neglected or discriminated while their rights should be protected. That is why this amendment was brought forward.

We will appoint mediators to solve problems especially maintenance claims affected by elders.

Since Sri Lanka is a Buddhist country, we are committed to look into the welfare of the elders and fulfil their needs.

Justice Minister Rauf Hakeem: The amendment to the Mediation Boards Bill submitted by the Ministry will enhance the process of mediation boards. This amendment will also improve the standard, quality and service set by the mediation boards to the people. Mediation boards across the country will deliver a greater service by settling disputes among the people. Therefore, the people should not waste their money and time to go before Civil Courts and resolve their problems, as there are nearly 7,000 Mediation Boards set up islandwide.

Nearly, 125,000 cases have already been resolved during last year through these mediation boards. So, the mediation boards are important to the country. Many cases have been resolved my mediation boards without being referred to Civil Courts, which is a very big relief to the Court system as well as the common man. We have also planned to streamline the functions of the mediation boards.

Currently China and Nepal too are studying this system to be adopted in their own countries.

We know that mediators work on a voluntary basis. We have conducted training programs for its members and are also looking for possibilities to introduce this process to the University system which would enable them to resolve many disputes pertaining to students.

Dayasiri Jayasekera (UNP): The Government has appointed Senior Ministers and this amendment was brought to protect them despite allegations levelled against them. Senior Ministers were appointed without being assigned proper duties.

General Sarath Fonseka, who saved the country from terrorism was sent on compulsory retirement.

That is how the Government treated senior citizens and heroes. In Asian countries, the elderly population gradually increase. It is a severe crisis.

The Government should have long-term plans for this problem. The life expectancy of the elderly population has risen due to the healthy conditions. It is predicted that the elderly population would increase by 25 percent by year 2012.

Health Deputy Minister Lalith Dissanayake: This is very timely amendment. Mediation Boards located across the country have rendered a yeoman service to the people. There are 7,000 Mediation Boards in 293 Divisional Secretariats. People can easily resolve their problems through Mediation Boards which are located in their respective areas. This process has to be appreciated since it has contributed to the settling of a number of disputes during the past few years. We do not consider elders as a burden to the country. They have committed their whole life for the wellbeing of their families and also for the development of the country. We consider them as a blessing, it is our duty to protect them.

That is why the Government brought this amendment.

Ajith P Perera (UNP): This is a timely action which is very important to the country. As an Opposition, we support the amendment. Mediation Boards play a vital role in resolving disputes among the ordinary people. This has saved money and time the people as well.

There are many shortcomings pertaining to mediation boards. There are no proper places for these Boards to function. Required physical and human resources should be provided to these boards, so that an effective service could be expected.

Mediators are working voluntarily. It is necessary to fulfil their needs as well.

Technology and Research Deputy Minister Faizer Musthapha: This amendment will vastly benefit the common man. That is why the Government decided to bring in this amendment. We are aware of a number of cases which are pending in Courts.

But the ordinary people can resolve their problems through these mediation boards without going before Civil Courts. This has saved the people a large amount of money.

Wijedasa Rajapaksa (UNP): We accepted our mother as the Buddha of the family.

But nowadays people, have neglected to treat their parents. In our society, we treated our elders and parents not due to laws and regulations.

Imposing of these laws is not a matter of pleasure. Now the bond among members of a family unit is getting weak.

The imposition of these laws is an indication of the deterioration of the morals in society.

Certain children do not treat their parents, while parents are compelled to go before Courts to obtain maintenance. I think it is better if these maintenance problems of parents could be directed before Mediation Boards.

Delaying of those elderly parents' matters in Court is not fair.

An elderly mother is paid a charity allowance of Rs 1,000, which is not enough. The Government has to increase it to an adequate amount.

That allowance is a right of theirs as they had contributed their labour for the development of the country in their youth.

Y G Padmasiri (UPFA): It is very important that laws to protect the rights of the elders are imposed. There is a considerable number of homes for the elders in the country. The attendants in those homes should be educated as to how those elders should be treated.

S Sritharan (TNA): The elderly population in the country are helpless. There are about 10,000 elders in the North and East.

Most of those elderly parents live a disappointed life as their children are detained in prisons. Most of their children had died during the war. So how could they live happily?

Ven Ellawala Medananda Thera (UPFA): These days, the youth in our society have forgotten to treat their parents. But the children have to accept it as a responsibility of theirs.

Thilanga Sumathipala (UPFA): Today two timely amendments are considered. When we consider the Mediation Board Amendment, it is appreciable as there are many matters that should be solved at the village level without running to Courts.

Going before Courts is very much costly. The elderly population is on the increase.

The Government has to formulate a mechanism to provide welfare to them without delay.

Ajith Kumara (DNA): The service rendered by the members of the Mediation Boards voluntarily, is commendable. We have to expand the mediation system widely. The Mediation Boards reduce the number of cases filed before Courts.

Ajith Perera takes the Chair.

Those new moves are not adequate. My view is that the Government has to introduce a wide mechanism to provide welfare to the elders of the country.

Minor Export Crops Development Minister Reginold Cooray: Today we have to talks of both ill-treatment to the elders and ill-treatment to infants.

The elders are suffering today partially due to their own faults. This is the result of the moral deterioration of the country.

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody takes the Chair. Today we have to promote breast feeding through television advertisements.

Protection of the Rights of Elders (Amendment) Bill and Mediation Boards (Amendment) Bill were passed with amendments.

Prime Minister D M Jayaratne moved that the Emergency Regulations be extended by another one month.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake (DNA): We agree as discussed at the Party leaders meeting, to hold the vote today, but the debate should be held on February 8.

Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva: The debate will be held on February 8.

The motion was passed with a majority of 118 votes.

123 members voted in favour, while five members voted against. UNP, TNA and DNA voted against.

Parliament was adjourned till February 8.

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Govt earns Rs 658 m tax revenue from TV stations

Parliamentary Corrs

The Government has earned a tax revenue of RS 658 million for the past five years, from local TV stations for telecasting imported foreign films, teledramas and commercials, Parliament was told yesterday.

The ten TV stations, namely Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, Independent Television Networks, Telshan Network (Pvt) Ltd, IWS Holdings (Pvt) Ltd, EAP Networks (Pvt) Ltd, Maharajah Organizations (Pvt) Ltd, MGMR Networks (Pvt) Ltd, Power House (Pvt) Ltd, Television and Radio Network, People's Media Network (Pvt) Ltd, Voice of Asia Network (Pvt) Ltd, Dialog Television (Pvt) Ltd and VRS Broadcasting Pvt Ltd. have paid a total tax amount of Rs 658,133,930, according to a document tabled by the Government, in response to a question raised by UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake.

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