PARLIAMENT

Condolence Motion:

House remembers three former colleagues

Sandasen MARASINGHE and Disna MUDALIGE

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody presided when Parliament met at 1.30 pm yesterday. After the presentation of papers and oral questions, the House took up condolence votes on ex-MPs late Lakshman Jayakody, late T A K Thewarapperuma and late Jinadasa Nandasena.

Water Supply and Drainage Minister and Chief Government Whip Dinesh Gunawardena: I present the condolence motion of Senior politician late ex-MP Lakshman Jayakody to the House. He represented this House for many decades as a minister and as an MP from the Gampaha District. He even represented the people in Divulapitiya and Attanagalle electorate divisions.

He was born on August 24, 1930 as the eldest of a family consisting of four children. He had his primary education at Ladies College in Colombo and his secondary education from Trinity College in Kandy and Ananda Vidyalaya in Colombo.

He showed his talent for Cricket and Rugger in school and later even became the Chairman of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka.

He had a special interest towards aesthetics and arts, since childhood. He played numerous characters in stage dramas in his young days. These helped to form the character of Lakshman Jayakody who was a humble and honest person.

He entered Parliament for the first time in 1960 from the SLFP and was elected once again in 1965. He held a ministerial post in the ‘Samagi Peramna’ government which came to power in 1970.

Since 1994, he served as the Cultural and Religious Affairs Minister and Buddha Sasana Minister.

He had a special interest towards literature. He initiated regional cultural centres and took measures to conserve old dramas, books and CDs.

His contribution to declare Wesak Poya Day as an International Holiday by the UNO was admirable. He joined with then Foreign Affairs Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar in this effort.

He served as a Presidential Counsellor until the last stage of his life. He passed away on August 30, 2010 at the age of 80.

Deputy Chairman of Committees Chandra Kumar Murugesu takes the Chair

Gayantha Karunathilake (UNP): On behalf of the UNP, I would like to express my sympathies on the demise of Lakshman Jayakody ex-MP. He was a very humble and down to earth person. He joined the SLFP in 1956 when S W R D Bandaranaike was leading the party. Eventhough he was an active UNP member until then, he preferred the policies followed by S W R D Bandaranaike.

He was very much inclined towards arts and aesthetics. The Tower Hall Foundation was a possession of his mother’s. He was prone towards drama and music.

Higher Education Minister S B Dissanayake: I got to know late Lakshman Jayakody when I was in the university. Aesthetics University had only the basic facilities during this period. He made a huge effort to bring up the shortcomings of this university to the attention of politicians.

There was an effort to make late Lakshman Jayakody the opposition leader, but he gave away this opportunity to solve internal problems in the party.

Karu Jayasuriya (UNP): He was a politician that I respected a lot. He had many positive qualities that a politician should possess, such as honesty, leadership qualities, humanity and people friendliness and sensitivity.

Lakshman Jayakody took measures to develop the Tower Hall, to uplift the field of aesthetics. He dealt closely with the Maha Sangha. He was a friend to anyone who associated with him.

He was an example to new members and politicians of today. He was engaged in politics for 35 years.

Public Relations and Public Affairs Minister Dr Mervin Silva: Late Lakshman Jayakody’s political career extended to 36 years not 35 years. He had two brothers. They were full of humane qualities. When the 1971 riots were in progress, President Mahinda Rajapaksa was a member of this House. Lakshman Jayakody was the Deputy Defence Minister. He took measures to control the riots.

Lakshman Jayakody was a genuine social worker. He never expected anything in return. I am going to speak a little bit about Jinadasa Nandasena. He was one of my good friends. The UNP loved Nandasena so much that they imprisoned him at the Welikada prison involving him in a baseless case. Even I was imprisoned on the same occasion. He was a great politician from Kelaniya, although he was born in the South.

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa: Lakshman Jayakody was a politician who represented Divulapitiya and Attanagalla in the Gampaha district.

Although I met him at Ananda College during my school days, I came to know a lot about him as Deputy Minister of External Affairs and Defence in late Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike’s Cabinet. He took great measures as Deputy Defence Minister to rehabilitate misled youth in 1971 riots. Artists in this country admire the service rendered by Lakshman Jayakody in the field of arts.

He also spent a massive sum of his own money to uplift the living standard of 6,000 families in his area. He had rendered a great service to Divulapitiya, Attanagalla, Gampaha, the entire country and the SLFP.

Udith Lokubandara takes the Chair.

Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Deputy Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna: Lakshman Jayakody was an exemplary politicians. When he was in the opposition because of his dedication, he was more popular in the Gampaha district than a minister.

When he was appointed a minister in 1990s, there was no difference between him and an Opposition member. He did not have security officers, only a driver. But on his own, he attended to the needs of the public. He spoke to the people on his own even without a clerk. We are living in a period when the services of Lakshman Jayakodys are much needed.

A H M Azwer (UPFA): Lakshman Jayakody was a man of peace, reconciliation and national unity. He was dedicated to democracy. He was a devout Buddhist. He was always using the Dhammapada. He was appointed the Cultural Affairs Minister.

Professor Rajiva Wijesinghe (UPFA): Lakshman Jayakody was representing Attanagalla when the civic rights of Sirimavo Bandaranaike was upheld. Despite him being a very senior SLFP member, he allowed Anura Bandaranaike to be the Leader of the Opposition. But when the SLFP came to power in 1994, he belonged to the older generation.

Social Service Minister Felix Perera: Lakshman Jayakody was a great politician who always dealt with Buddhist priests and temples. He acted in dramas and was also a singer as well. He joined the stage dramas acting in ‘Vessanthara Natakaya’. He could sing almost all the songs in stage dramas. He joined Badalgama and Makandura by constructing a bridge.

As the Deputy Defence Minister, he suggested and took measures to design the present police uniform instead of the former khaki shorts.

Chief Government Whip and Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena: Now I move the condolence motion of late Parliamentarian T A K Thewarapperuma. He was born in Kegalle on January 15, 1951. He initiated his studies at Vijayapura College and continued it at Maliyadeva Vidyalaya in Kurunegala. Later he entered the Colombo University.

His parents were T A Gunathilake and G R Jayasundara Menike.

When he was in the university, he held positions in the Students’ Union. He became the President of Vijayapura SLFP branch in 1970. Later he was appointed to the executive committee of the SLFP.

He married R M Chandra Menike and had two children, Chamara Prasanna and Supunya who are still doing their studies.

He was appointed as the SLFP organizer for Damana and Lahugala in the Digamadulla electorate.

He was elected to Parliament in 1989 as the only SLFP member from the Digamadulla district. He rendered a great service to the Ampara district.

He was later appointed as the Chairman of the Rural Development Bank and Hingurana Sugar Company. He was elected to Parliament again in 2001 from the UPFA.

He visited Commonwealth countries representing Sri Lanka. He was elected as a Provincial Councillor in 2009. He died at the age of 60 years on April 15, 2011.

Karu Jayasuriya (UNP): As a senior politician in the Eastern Province, he rendered a great service to the people in the Galoya Valley. We dealt with him on various occasions and always his vision was to serve the people, which he did.

Food Security Minister P Dayaratne: He was born in Kegalle and then went to the Galoya Valley under the Galoya project. He initiated his studies at the Vijayapura College. He then continued his studies at Maliyadeva Vidyalaya and entered the University. When I met him, I found him to be a friendly and peaceful politician. He never missed any District Development Committee meeting as he was well aware that it was a precious stage to develop his district. He was also appointed the Chairman of Hingurana Sugar Company. When he was a member, there was a great threat to his village Vijayapura. But he never left the village although he had opportunities to do so.

A H M Azwer takes the Chair.

Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs Minister M K D S Gunawardena: T A K Thewarapperuma assisted me to uplift SLFP politics in Trincomalee. Once when I went to meet him he was working in a paddy field during the UNP regime although he was a graduate. He was unemployed. But our government took measures to give employment to all graduates.

M.K.A.D.S. Gunawardena continues:

Late Thewarapperua ex-MP served all Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities. I worked with him closely and was very much grieved to hear of his demise.

Sriyani Wijewickrama (UPFA): Late Tissa Thewarapperuma was a senior politician who represented this House. He provided leadership to the Ampara District to defeat the UNP regime which was in power for about 17 years.

He was a graduate from the Universality of Colombo and was a brave student union leader who fought to win the rights of the undergraduates. He represented this House from 1989-94 and again from 2001-2004. He was also elected to the Eastern Provincials Council in 2008.

Education Deputy Minister Vijith Vijithamuni Zoysa: Late Thewarapperuam was a great politician and I got to know him in 1979. He was a strong leftist leader who was in the SLFP. I remember how he came to Colombo from Ampara by bus to participate in May Day rallies.

He did not go after the leaders of the parties for personal gains. However, he was more into politics being in the opposition, than being in the ruling party. He was committed to the party and helped to organized numerous party events.

A.H.M. Azwer (in Chair): I agree to the condolence speeches made by the members of both sides of the House. I request the Secretary General of Parliament to send a copy of this motion to the family members of ex-Mp Late Thewarapperuma.

The House them took up the condolence Motion of ex-MP late Jinadasa Nandasena.

Water Supply and Drainage Minister and Chief Government Whip Dinesh Gunawardena: I present the condolence motion of ex-MP late Jinadasa Nandasena who represented the Kelaniya electorate in the Gampaha District. He was born on September 17, 1931 in the South. He had his school education in the English medium from Waduramba Vidyalaya. He was also a voluntary naval officer and later became a famous businessman. He married Prinsy Wijetunga and was father of six children.

He had an incline for politics and in 1969, engaged in active politics joining the SLFP. He had the opportunity to associate senior politicians such as President Mahinda Rajapaksa and late Anura Bandarnaike closely.

He was appointed as the Kelaniya SLFP organizer in 1980. He was even jailed on several occasions, due to his dedication towards the party. He sold his business to engage in politics and did not pursue any profit from it.

He entered the House in 1994 and served the public to his best. He passed away on July 03,2011 at the age of 80.

Karu Jayasuriya (UNP): As an MP representing the Gamapha District, I first express my sympathies on the demise of late Nandasena. He contributed enormously for the welfare of the people in the Gampaha district and initiated many social projects.

Nandasena ex-MP was a devout Buddhist and led a religious life.

Petroleum Industries Deputy Minister Sarana Gunawardena: Late Nandasena was the organizer of the Kelaniya seat sometime back.

There were several seats in the Gampaha district which were hard to be won. Kelaniya, Ja-Ela and Wattala were some of them. Late Nandasena was a great strength to the SLFP during elections.

Social Services Minister Felix Perera: Late Nandasena was a great politician. Those days, the Kelaniya seat was a stronghold of the UNP. Many were afraid to take responsibility as the Kelaniya SLFP organizer.

It was at this period that late Nandasena bravely held this position to organize SLFP members in Kelaniya.

Dr. Sudarshani Fernandopulle (UPFA): Jinadasa Nandasena was a senior politician of the SLFP. He supported the party at most needy and crucial occasions when the party underwent difficult times.

He contributed to develop health, educational and infrastructure facilities in rural areas. He was never silent when he encountered injustice.

A.H.M. Azwer in Chair: I wish to join with the sentiments expressed by members of both sides of the House.

I request the Secretary General of Parliament to send copies of the condolence motion to the family members of ex-MP late Jinadasa Nandasena.

The House was adjourned until 1.00 p.m on September 20.

Import of substandard oil:

Disciplinary action will be taken against offenders

Adjournment motion

Petroleum Industries Minister Susil Premajayantha assured Parliament yesterday that measures are taken in line with the recommendation of the committee on the import of substandard petrol.

He also said that the CPC would take disciplinary action against the officers involved in the import of substandard petrol in accordance to the procedures.

He made this observation in response to an adjournment motion moved by UNP MP Gayantha Karunatilleke

Gayantha Karunatilleke (UNP): The committee report on the import of inferior quality petrol was issued on August 29. According to it, no measures have been taken against those who imported substandard petrol. So far compensation had not been paid to the customers who used those petrol.

Ajith P Perera (UNP): Two billion dollars is spent on import of petrol annually.

Petroleum Industries Deputy Minister Sarana Gunawardena: We import petrol at least once a fortnight. We had to import 20,000 metric tons of petrol immediately due to a shortage. It was not a planned crime. The procedure was not followed due to the situation. It’s wrong. Our minister appointed a three-member committee. The report had been released.

I’ll tell you about a planned crime. During JR’s regime, his friend Sunil planned to tap the petrol pumps that pumped petrol to Sapugaskanda. He tapped petrol out of them. They were planned crimes.

Petroleum Industries Minister Susil Premajayantha: The ministry appointed a tripartite committee within four days of this incident on June 4. The committee released its report on August 29. Usually we have seen that no action had been taken in the past, based on the reports submitted by various such committees even though those were appointed.

On the contrary, we have come forward to practically implement the recommendations given in the report.

It is clear that this haul had been imported only to overcome petrol shortage of a week. In addition, the haul was imported from two foreign companies. Therefore, there was hardly any room for any corruption or fraud.

One can ask as to why we allowed a shortage without the storing of oil necessary for a considerable period. This cannot be done due to limited storage facilities that we have. It is seen that the opposition has used this incident for their political advantages, which is unfair.

However, we have received 1,819 complaints through telephone calls and the post. We have sent acknowledgement receipts to certify the receipt of those complaints. We have been acting according to the recommendations given by the committee and accordingly, the compensation will start from next week onwards.

The CPC is also advised to consider compensating for the damaged vehicles which had surpassed the compensation limit of Rs 50,000, if necessary. A mechanism has also been introduced for those who do not possess a Bill to obtain compensation.

The remaining stock of the imported haul will be sold to generates power as ‘Nepta’.

Therefore, no wastage will occur from this remaining imported haul. We have also taken steps to take back the loss incurred by the CPC from the responsible foreign companies.

‘CPC to compensate Opp Leader’s damaged car’

Petroleum Industries Minister Susil Premajayantha, yesterday stated in Parliament that the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation will compensate the full amount spent to repair Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe’s official vehicle which had been damaged due to the use of low quality petrol.

Responding to a question raised by UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekera, the Minister said that a sum of Rs 75,000 will be paid as compensation for the Opposition Leader’s damaged vehicle.

UNP MP Jayasekera questioned whether the government would take measures to compensate the damaged vehicles which have exceeded the maximum compensation limit of Rs 50,000? The Minister stated that the Sales Division had been advised to consider compensating even such bills, adding that the full expenses to repair the Opposition Leader’s vehicle will be surely paid.

The minister stated that the rest of the petrol haul amounting to 2,000 metric tons, which is now in storage, will not be issued to the consumers, but will be used in power generation by CEB as ‘Nepta’.

He said that the loss incurred by the CPC due to this importation, will be taken from the foreign company which supplied the haul.

Govt continuing to provide homes for differently-abled War Heroes

Chief Government Whip and Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena stated in Parliament that the government is continuing with the project to provide houses to differently abled War Heroes.

Making this observation in Parliament yesterday, minister further stated that the government will complete construction of 23,000 houses during the UPFA government.

The minister made this observation in response to a question raised by UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekera.

He added that there were 23,287 war heroes rendered differently abled during the last operation and out of them 3,303 houses have been granted to them.

The minister further stated that the government expects to provide houses to 15,000 disabled war heroes. He also added that the government granted interest free loans to those war heroes to build houses or to complete their partially constructed houses, adding that most of the war heroes who were not been given houses, lands or loans are those who own houses and lands.