PARLIAMENT

Condolence motion on ex-MP Noordeen Mashoor:

He worked for country's unity

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa presided when Parliament met at 1.00 pm yesterday. After presentation of papers and oral questions, the House took up the condolence motion on ex-MP Noordeen Mashoor for debate.

Leader of the House, Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva: I stood up to present the condolence motion on ex-MP Noordeen Mashoor who passed away on December 2, 2010 unexpectedly. He was a Member of Parliament when he passed away. He was elected by the franchise of the Vanni District people. He did a lot for the unity of all segments of people in the country.

He was born on November 30, 1962. He entered the Jaffna University in 1985 and obtained a special degree in Business Management. He decided to be involved in business without joining the public sector.

He joined politics in 2000 with the guidance of SLMC Founder M H M Ashraff. He was elected to the House on three occasions and held a Deputy Ministerial portfolio under former President Chandrika Bandaranaike.

He represented the UPFA at the General Election in 2010 and was the only MP to be elected to the House from the Vanni District.

He made a great effort to support the displaced people in the Mannar District. Ex-MP Mashoor also participated in the Norway peace talks and was a prominent figure in many social service activities. He was on honest, disciplined and an straightforward individual who worked in a friendly manner.

He passed away in a private hospital in Colombo on December 2, 2010. He was 48 years old at his demise. It was a heavy loss to our country. I extend the condolences of the House to his bereaved family members.

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe: I join the condolence motion of ex-MP Noordeen Mashoor which was presented to the House today and convey my grievances on behalf of the Opposition.

I got to know him in the year 2000 and was able to associate with him as a politician.

It was unfortunate that he was not elected to Parliament in 2004. I got the opportunity to meet him few days before his death. Nobody had an inkling that he would be taken away from us so soon.

I express my condolences to his family members and relatives.

Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena: Noordeen Mashoor ex-MP was a Vanni District MP who dedicated his life for the welfare of the Vanni District people. He was elected to Parliament in 2000. He was always conscious about the problems of the Puttalam District people. Even though he was not a Government MP, I admire his interest in serving the people.

I recall with regret how he met me in my office a day before his death and discussed the drinking water problem of the people in the region. At that moment, nobody had the slightest idea that he would leave us this soon. It is a great loss to our nation.

I suggest a copy of this motion to be sent to his relatives and family members.

Human Resources Senior Minister DEW Gunasekera: Noordeen Mashoor ex-MP was very keen on the problems of the ordinary people. Disregarding ethnicity differences, he always served the Sinhalese people.

I personally express my grievances to his passing away. I personally know how much he was interested in solving the problems of the people in his region. He was a very talented debater and active member of the House.

Justice Minister Rauf Hakeem: On behalf of SLMC I express my grievances over the unexpected passing away of Noordeen Mashoor ex-MP. He was a fellow party member of ours.

He was born in November 2, 1962 and was 48 years. He served the Muslim people and he was dedicated to his work. Whatever challenges he faced he never troubled the leadership but faced them boldly. That was a unique characteristic of his.

He gave away his wealth very willingly and many will acknowledge this fact about him. He got an overwhelming mandate from the people for his service to the nation.

He respected the Tamil community in the region and worked in brotherhood. He was also very friendly with fellow Tamil Parliamentarians.

He was a graduate of the Jaffna University and was engaged in business until he entered politics.

Prime Minister D M Jayaratne: Not only concerning his own people, he had feelings about all people, disregarding whether they were Sinhalese, Tamil or Muslim. This shows his humanity.

If people live without racial and religious differences, that society can be developed easily. I saw this characteristic attitude in him. We have to create this type of attitude even in the political arena. Mashoor ex-MP was an example in this regard.

We have to take due advantage from characters such as Mashoor MP. Every country comprises race, creed and religious differences.

But as humans with developed spiritualities, we should be able to come to common conclusions regarding important issues concerning the country.

Mavai Senathirajah (TNA): He was a fellow member of this House. He followed the policies of the SLMC and came forward to protect those policies as well as the Muslim people.

I can recall how friendly he was. He had the ability to attract others very easily. He was always with a smiling face. Mashoor ex-MP associated leading political figures of the SLMC. The TNA also worked closely with the SLMC and we have strengthened our relations.

The SLMC was also concerned about the problems of the Tamils. Both Muslims and Tamils often face similar problems.

Mashoor ex-MP upheld human values.

Karu Jayasuriya (UNP):

Noordeen Masoor was born in Mannar, an area lacking in facilities. But due to his talents, he entered the Jaffna University and later selected business as his career.

He was a popular person among Muslims and loved by all communities.

Uvais Farook takes the Chair.

We are said that he ended his life at the very young age of 48 years, an untimely death.

A Adaikkalanathan (TNA):

Noordeen Masoor was a very cordial friend. If there were problems in our area, he mediated to solve them. Even while he was a Minister, he discussed with us before he took decisions to implement any project in our area.

On the other hand, he was the only Minister who attended my wife's funeral.

Co-operatives and Internal Trade Deputy Minister Basheer Segudawood:

Noordeen Masoor was a good friend of mine. He was a politician and businessman. He was also an educationalist.

When the Muslims were chased away from the North, Noordeen Masoor was one among those IDPs.

He was not an ordinary businessman. He was a clever businessman as well as clever politician. After SLMC Leader M H M Ashroff died, Noordeen Masoor took a great effort to solve the problems in the SLMC.

In 2000, Noordeen Masoor contested the Vanni District from the SLMC and won with a remarkable amount of votes.

S Vino Navarathalingam (TNA):

Noordeen Masoor entered politics on an invitation by M H M Ashroff. During his short span of life as a politician, he served his people immensely. What I have to say about him is that if there was a politician who built up a bridge between the Tamil and Muslim people in Mannar, it was Noordeen Masoor. He found solutions for many issues by having discussions with the Tamil people in the Mannar District.

Deputy Chairman of Committee Murugesu Chandrakumar takes the Chair.

H M M Harees (UPFA):

The late leader of Sri Lanka Muslim Congress M H M Ashroff, compelled Noordeen Masoor to contest at the election. He contested the election in 2000 and was successful.

He was also a great supporter of Rauf Hakeem after the death of Ashroff. He was not elected to Parliament in 2004, but he rendered a great service to the Vanni district using his own money.

After his death his funeral was to be held in Colombo. But later, his remains were taken to the area he created for the Muslim IDPs. Thousands of people attended at his funeral proving his popularity.

Urban Affairs Senior Minister A H M Fowzie:

Noordeen Masoor loved all communities and was loved by all. He deserved being appointed as the Deputy Minister of Ethnic Affairs.

S Sritharan (TNA):

Noordeen Masoor was a calm and quiet person. He maintained a good relationship with the Tamil members in Parliament.

A H M Azwer takes the Chair

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa:

We are aware that Noordeen Masoor lived in Puttalam. But more of less he was in the Vanni and as a result of terrorist activities, he had to leave that area along with the villagers.

Mashoor MP obtained a Business Management degree in Jaffna University and was engaged in business related activities, later be entered politics and did an enormous service to his village. He represented this House on several occasions.

I made his acquaintance only after he entered Parliament. During the time that I associated him, I came to understand his dedication to work and his interest to serve the people and country.

The House has suffered a great loss due to his passing away.

Hasan Ali (UPFA): Mashoor MP was the Deputy leader of the SLMC and a fellow party member. While being engaged in business, he started his social service. He was able to enter the business field at a very young age due to his dedication.

He helped others at all times which was a positive characteristic of his. During the short period of his engagement in politics, he provided and enormous service to society.

Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Badhiudeen: When more than 100,000 people were displaced in Mannar and Anuradhapua Districts, he provided the needed facilities to them out of his personal money.

He had the opportunity to associate with SLMC former leader Ashroff who was a great political figure. Ashroff understood the capacity of Mashoor Ex-MP and helped him to go forward in politics.

He was interested in resettlement work in the North and East as well. He discussed these issues with us.

In order to pay gratitude to him, we dedicate to carry forward the resettlement process in a speedy and efficient manner.

M S Thowfeek (UPFA): He worked very enthusiastically to provide his services to the nation. He might not have had a goal to enter politics, but wanted to contribute to the well being of the country. I got to know him due to my brother. Mashoor Ex-MP was not a selfish politician.

He was a very close friend of mine.

Jayalath Jayawardena (UNP): Noordeen Mashoor an MP held the post of Deputy Minister of Resettlement in the Vanni. I have worked with him as Minister of Resettlement during this period.

Vanni district people were suffering immensely due to the war. They lacked many basic facilities. Mashoor worked hard to provide maximum facilities to them.

Necessary dry rations and medicines were distributed among the Vanni people under the directive of Noordeen Mashoor. He came forward on behalf of the unity of the country.

Shantha Bandara takes the chair

Uvais Farook (UPFA): Both appearance and inside qualities of Mashoor Ex-MP were unique. He followed the principles of Islam properly. He had engaged himself in religious activities even two days before his death. He has read many books on Islam and had a thorough knowledge of Islam.

He supported me to go forward in politics. He understood the suffering of the people and even supported the Government to provide facilities to the people in his region. He disregarded party and colour differences to serve the people. He was interested in taking the party forward and dedicated himself to the party.

A H M Azwer (UPFA): Death is a common phenomenon to everybody. God Allah had taught us this lesson. We reach death gradually, day by day. This is the reality.

When the Parliament was inundated by floods, both Noordeen Mashoor Ex-MP and I reached Parliament in an army vehicle. That day I had no means to go back home. Mashoor Ex-MP dropped me at my home willingly. I recall this event gratefully.

He served the Muslims throughout his life. He provided many facilities to the Muslims. All members spoke of his positive qualities today. He enlightened the whole of society. He held many positions and served the nation in every possible manner.

A H M Azwer takes the chair

M B Farook (UPFA): Noordeen Mashoor was the deputy leader of the SLMC and was a Deputy Minister and a Parliamentarian in this House.

Noordeen and studied in the same school and was three years my senior, Since 1976, I knew him and we became close friends. Today this school has become a prominent school in the area.

Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan (TNA): I met him for the first time in Parliament in 2000 when he was elected. I too was elected during that election. Since then, he was a close friend of mine. He loved all his friends.

Ashan Saleem Mohamed (UPFA): His intention in joining politics was not to earn. He wanted to serve all communities including his people in the Vanni.

A H M Azwer (in Chair)

I request that a copy of the condolence motion proceedings of late Noordeen Mazoor be sent to the bereaved family members.

Adjournment Motion

Environment Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa:Stated in Parliament yesterday, that there was no possibility for Sri Lanka to be affected from the radiation of the damaged Fukushima Nuclear Power plant in Japan due to the recent earthquakes and tsunami.

The Minister made this statement in response to an adjournment motion moved by UPFA MP Shantha Bandara that the Government had taken all measures to find out if there was any substance of radiation in rain water, milk, canned fish and in any other areas of the environment which could affect radiation.

Shantha Bandara (UPFA): I suggest that a detailed research be done to find out if the damage on the Fukushima Daichi Nuclear Plant in Japan had an effect on Sri Lanka.

Thilanga Sumathipala (UPFA): I second this motion. We have an experience of tsunami in 2004. Japan only has 54 nuclear power plants to generate electricity. But these power plants were a massive risk than its benefits.

Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka: Japan was always prone to earthquakes. It happens because Japan was located close to where four tectonic plates meet.

Twice in the past such incidents had been reported, but they had no similarity with the present situation. It has been conformed that the failure in the Fukushima plant had occurred due to operational failure in the cooling systems.

However, there was panic that the radiation leak could cause harmful results and that getting drenched in the rain was harmful and that radiation could spread through wind.

The Atomic Energy Authority was vigilant and was conducting air monitory continuously. Air monitoring was being conducted in Galle, Matara, Trincomalee, Kelaniya and 4 other locations. It had been confirmed that Sri Lanka had not being affected in any manner.

This incident could cause dangerous results in the world. It could have longs term effects. It has also caused the world to rotate faster and the islands have also reported to be shifted.

About 14 percent of the world energy was produced by nuclear power. Therefore, it may also affect the economy of the world.

However, we could assert that there was no cause for the Sri Lankans to be alarmed over the issue. However, this incident provides ample thought for the whole world to think twice before the usage of nuclear power.

The radiation levels were being checked in imported food items, canned fish and other imported goods. Special units were established in ports for this purpose.

Environment Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa: The tsunami caused an unprecedented damage to Japan. The nuclear power plant in Fukushima was damaged during the earthquake. Various countries were on alert to ascertain the spread of radiation released from the nuclear power plant. The Atomic Energy Authority too was conducting a 24 hour service to find out if there was an effect on Sri Lanka. We are checking all the goods that in being imported.

With the help of the Atomic Energy Authority and the Geological Servey and Mines Bureau, tests were being conducted and we are able to state clearly that this incident could not cause any effects on Sri Lanka.

We are monitoring the air and imported goods to our country. Necessary precautions have been taken in this regard and therefore the public need not be in fear of this issue.

Parliament adjourned until 1 pm on April 5.

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Village level athletes to national level

A program is to be implemented soon in coordination with five Ministries under the instructions of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to bring the athletes from village level to the national level, said Education Deputy Minister Vijith Wijayamuni Soyza in Parliament.

The Deputy Minister was responding to a question raised in Parliament during oral answers.

He also said the program would be implemented by the Ministries including Education Ministry and Sports Ministry.

Chief Government Whip and Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, replying to the same question raised by UPFA MP Shantha Bandara said.

The Commonwealth Games in 2018 would be held in Sri Lanka. He added that there was a national program being implemented in that respect.

Minister Gunawardena was responding to the question on behalf of the Sports Minister.

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Samurdhi beneficiaries privacy to be guarded

A policy decision has been taken to avoid disclosure of private information on Samrudhi beneficiaries since the beneficiaries' privacy could be affected, Leader of the House and Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva said in Parliament yesterday. He said so while responding to an issue related to Samurdhi beneficiaries during an oral question raised by UNP MP Gayantha Karunathilake.

The Minister also said that the Samurdhi beneficiaries had also made a request from the government not to disclose their personal information. He said that publicizing the personal information such as names and addresses might affect the self esteem and various personal issue such as marriages of the beneficiaries.

He also observed that under speical circumstances, case by case information of the Samurdhi beneficiaries could be tabled in the house.