PARLIAMENT

'Legal action against packing of food using unhygienic methods'

Sandasen MARASINGHE and Disna MUDALIGE

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa presided when Parliament met at 1 pm yesterday. After the presentation of papers and oral questions, the House took up the debate on 6 regulations of Food Act, No 26 of 1980.

Acting Health Minister Lalith Dissanayake: Today we are of the view that each person should have a healthy meal. We consider 6 regulations concerning Food Act 1980. These regulations will provide more opportunities for actions to be taken against those producing and packing food in an unhealthy manner.

Under the first regulation, authorities have been provided with regulations for action to be taken against those who pack food in an unhealthy manner and importing of food packed unhealthily.

According to the second regulation, the authorities have been provided with regulations to take measures against those who add melamine into milk powder.

Under these regulations, the authorities are also provided with regulations to take legal action against those who add formaldehyde to preserve fish and fish products. On the other hand these regulations will help food producers to produce food according to a given standard. The content of oil imparted is also to be considered.

Under these regulations, importers have been directed to import food items which remain at least 60 percent of the period of the product between the date of manufacture and date of expiry, at the time when products reach Sri Lanka.

Chief Opposition Whip Joseph Micheal Perera: These regulations are good. On the other hand, we have to consider the quality of the drugs imported to Sri Lanka. The fruits, specially grapes and apples that are imported to Sri Lanka. But what do we know about the standard and their quality? The other matter is, although regulations have been imposed, who is responsible for measures to be taken against such imports?

We have to create an environment in the country for actions to be taken in line with these regulations or these regulations will be pointless.

A H M Azwer takes the chair

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Rajitha Senaratne: These regulations are very important. The fish harvest in Sri Lanka is sent to local markets and also foreign markets. Under these regulations, the adding of formaldehyde to the fish will be controlled.

One of the main problems that is encountered today is the adding of formaline to fish as a preservative. Not only to fish, as we are aware, formaline is being added to vegetables and fruits as well. Through these regulations we hope to control the formaline levels in food. However, we must note that just introducing regulations only will not help. The regulations should be effectively implemented and people must be aware of them.

We have also observed that the use of ice in storage of fish, damages the fish. Therefore we have introduced a method called 'refrigerated sea water' and I have already converted 23 fishing trawlers for the use of this method. By this method, the fish is being brought to shore in sea water and the temperature of the sea water is reduced to minus four.

Consumer Welfare Senior Minister S B Navinna: Today we present several regulations under the Food Act of 1980, for the approval of the House. The necessary regulations had been gazetted several months ago.

While introducing these regulations, it is the duty of our government to make people aware of these regulations. Today, the local market is being invaded by various brands of packeted food and beverages which are being imported to the country.

Several local brands have also emerged as competitive goods to these imported brands. There had been incidents in the recent past of poisoning of cool drinks consumed by schoolchildren.

Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Deputy Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna: Sri Lanka has achieved high standards in the health sector compared to other developing nations. All the officers in the health sector should be given credit for these achievements.

The introduction of Bills, Regulations and Legislations have helped to maintain these standards. It is our duty to ensure the practical implementation of these new regulations and legislations. The Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) is vested with powers to inquire into the quality of food which are being imported as well as made locally. The new regulations strengthens the power of the SLSI to take necessary action against low quality or substandard food products.

Sometimes foreign countries export low quality food products to other countries at low prices when the expiry date is approaching. Some local companies seek monetary benefits importing them and selling in the local markets. Therefore introduction of these regulations is very timely and should be admired.

Victor Anthony (UPFA): Healthy food and beverages are a necessity for a healthy life. It is after 20 years that we have introduced new regulations to the Food Act. During the past years, the quality of the food had not been inspected. It is this government which looked into this problem, understanding the dire results of low quality and non-nutritional food. In contemporary society, consumption of fast foods with popular brands of cool drinks has become a style.

Therefore, illnesses like diabetes, hypertension and cholesterol have become common among our people. Today, through the Divi Neguma programme, we aim to cultivate vegetables and fruits without the use of chemicals. Through this initiative, we will be able to create a healthy population.

Dr Jayalath Jayawardena (UNP): We extend our gratitude to the Health Minister for taking certain decisions pertaining to the health sector bravely and straightforwardly.

Likewise, the Minister's concern towards the quality in foods, should be appreciated. We, in the UNP, praise what is good and criticize what is negative.

Today, substandard drugs are being imported to the country. This is a serious problem that must be prevented. Today, kidney ailments among people in the North Central Province have escalated. Doubts have emerged as to the substandard fertilizer being the cause of this illness.

With regard to standards in drugs, I request the government to enforce the suggestions presented by Prof Senaka Bibile in 1994. I have repeatedly requested for it all the time, not for personal gains, but for the welfare of the whole country.

Livestock and Rural Community Development Deputy Minister H R Mithrapala: Jayalath Jayawardena MP spoke about the suggestions of Prof Senaka Bibile. I question him as to why he could not implement the national drug policy of Prof Bibile when the UNP was in power?

Today, he is making baseless criticisms. He had ample time and room to initiate the drug policy during the UNP regime, but he did not do so. It is the UPFA government who introduced proper regulations to uplift the health standards in the country. It is because of the correct and far-sighted vision of the President, that the government had received a two thirds majority in Parliament.

In milk production made by local companies, such as Milco, melamine or any other harmful chemical is not included. That is why we promote local milk varieties as the President is very particular about it.

Anura Kumara Dissanayaka (DNA): I approve the regulations under the Food Act presented today and extend our support towards it.

We have got to know that a discussion is being carried out in the Livestock Ministry at this moment to import milk powder and sell them in the local market under the brand name of 'Highland'. I strongly appeal to the government not to permit this move.

The quality of drugs in the local market should also be looked in to. A number of incidents have been reported throughout the island about the distribution of low quality drugs in the recent past. The Health Ministry has been issuing circulars ordering for the removal of the drugs from use. However, sometimes, when these circulars are issued, the drugs would have been already sold to patients and distributed among hospitals. There had been 36 such circulars and I would like to bring them to the notice of the minister concerned.

Food Security Minister P. Dayaratne: We understand that various methods are being used to pack food items. One is wrapping food in polythene which is mostly inappreciable. Another method is the plastic bottles used in mineral water distribution, which is not recommended to be reused, while lunch sheets are also not advisable, as they might be subjected to various chemical reactions which could be harmless. The Melamine used in milk products could be toxic to the human body as experienced in China.

The formaldehide that is used to preserve fish should be controlled. The varieties of oil could not be fitting for consumption when exposed to air. These regulations guarantee the public of getting healthy food, as they provide provisions for action to be taken against those who do not heed to the regulations.

Gayantha Karunathilake (UNP): The public are facing many problems due to the negligence of the government. As we are discussing the standards we are able to recall the drugs and saline of inferior quality which were imported sometime back. Although there are many laws imposed, various low quality goods are being flowing into the Sri Lankan market, but no actions has been taken against them so far.

Co-operatives and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando: I believe that when such regulations are imposed, we have to establish institutions to guarantee for those laws, orders and regulations being implemented. We have to do so with the implementation of such regulations, certain institutions get an excessive amount of power. If they misuse them, it severely affects the public.

Now Gayantha said that the Minister admitted that there was a problem. It is appreciable.

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody takes the Chair: The Opposition said that the issue of low quality cement had occurred for the first time. But though the Opposition does not know, it had happened last year as well. We found it out recently. We are trying to find if it happened on previous years too. They try to increase the prices of cement for no reason. The Opposition supports them without any knowledge to jeopardise the public and development projects in the country.

But just increasing a pack of cement by Rs 50, the companies get an excess profit of Rs 3,600 million an year.

Our government did not allow it. The opposition should study them well without being the voice of those who attempt to put the public into trouble. Before an election the opposition spreads baseless rumours. But the people stand by the UPFA as they know this government led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa is developing this country for them.

Ajith P. Perera (UNP): These regulations are appreciable. The number of liquor shops in the Kaluthara District has been increased. The consumption of liquor too has increased.

Scientific Affairs Minister Professor Tissa Vitharana: The changes made through these regulations are more appropriate.

These movements filled the vacuum that existed before. The standard of the packaging material should not harm the consumer. Not only the packaging material, but the method of packaging should not harm the consumer.

The question of de oxidants is very important as it reduce coronary heart diseases by reducing the level of de oxidants.

The nitrogen level also shows the protein level in milk. The Health Ministry should implement some programme to check that melamine is not included in milk.

There is a large scale advertising propaganda regarding various food items. Regulations to control these misleading advertisements should be appreciated. We have to ensure the practical implementation of these regulations.

Dr Rohana Pushpakumara (UPFA): As a doctor by profession, I express my gratitude over these regulations presented to the House today. The regulations will lead towards a healthy community in the country.

Some opposition members tried to claim that the cause for kidney ailments arising in the North Central Province was due to the fertilizer distributed by the government under fertilizer subsidy. This is a baseless allegation and statistics reveal that the majority of the victims of kidney ailments were between 45-50 years.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake MP spoke about substandard quality drugs and tried to create a wrong impression that patients were given substandard saline and medicine. This should be clarified, since people may doubt the quality of drugs given to them in hospitals. This criticism is false. Regulations under the Food Act were approved.

The House was adjourned until 1 pm today.

At adjournment

Local Government and Provincial Councils Minister A L M Athuallah, said in Parliament yesterday, that people in Colombo will vote for the UPFA at the impending CMC election, as they knew this government led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, have the proper plans to develop Colombo as well as other areas of the country.

He made this observation in response to an adjournment motion moved by UPFA MP A H M Azwer.

Sriyani Wijewickrama takes the Chair.

A H M Azwer (UPFA): "This House resolves to appreciate the services rendered by the Urban Development Authority for the excellent performance during the past two-year period in making the City of Colombo one of the beautiful cities in South East Asia, with the able directions provided by Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and will be implemented by Special Commissioner of Colombo Omar Kamil.

Their joint efforts to improve the quality of life of the people living in underserved settlements in the city under the guidance and directions of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, is praiseworthy. Improvements to Galle Road from Bambalapitiya junction to Kollupitiya junction is the first step towards our march to make Sri Lanka the 'Wonder of Asia' as declared by the President.

The work that had been undertaken and executed by the Colombo Municipal Council jointly with the Secretary, Ministry of Defence within this short period, should be a model for other local bodies and this House resolves to request all other Municipal Councils and Urban Councils in Sri Lanka to introduce such beautification and development programmes in their respective administrative areas.

The UDA has spent about Rs 3,000 million to beautify the city. The concept of a Green City is to be introduced to the City of Colombo. All the roads are being renovated while main roads are being carpeted. We can witness that Kotte has become an attractive region today with all its beautification projects.

Thilanga Sumathipala (UPFA): I second the motion.

As a person who was born and grew up within the City of Colombo, I see that this is the best timespan of Colombo.

The most important thing in the city is its cleanliness. The structure and plan of the city comes next. Today we can see that Colombo has become a very clean city. The garbage problem is under control due to the establishment of the Environment Protection Police Units. Colombo is converted to a modern city with many attractive features.

Dr Harsha de Silva (UNP): Azwer moved this motion to praise the improvement of the road from Bambalapitiya to Kollupitiya. It is a short distance, but it's a very long area which was improved, we will have to move motions for weeks. But we thank Gotabhaya Rajapaksa for the improvements he made to the road from Bambalapitiya to Kollupitiya.

Local Government and Provincial Councils Minister A L M Athaullah: Today an important motion is being moved. This government liberated the country from terrorism and now the country is on a development track.

But the UNP had not developed at least a village. But they are hipocratic enough to appreciate the persons who develop the country. What has Ranil Wickremesinghe done to solve the LTTE menace and develop the nation? If he had done something, we are ready to appreciate it. This government has a proper plan to develop the city of Colombo. The Opposition should appreciate the work that is being carried out in Colombo without shouting slogans. It is the President who provided financial facilities to these development projects.

'Shanty dwellers won't be sent out of Colombo'

Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa, yesterday said that the shanty dwellers in Colombo numbering around 60,000 would be provided with houses in high rise apartments with all facilities within Colombo without them being sent out of Colombo. The Minister made this observation in Parliament in response to a question raised by UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake.

Minister Weerawansa queried if the UNP MP wanted to keep the shanty dwellers in the same shanties where they are exposed to many malpractices and victimized and abused. The minister further stated that people have not been removed from their residences as MP Karunanayake said. He said that certain people have been removed on court orders for development projects.

The minister also said that the construction of 1,000 houses out of the 50,000 promised by the Indian Government as a result of President Mahinda Rajapaksa's visit to India in June 2010, has commenced. He further said that construction companies selected by the Indian Government has reached Sri Lanka for this purpose, adding that the names of the housing recipients and the plots where the houses are to be constructed have been sent to the Indian High Commission.

'Sum granted under publication assistance project increased'

The sum of money granted by the government under the Publication Assistance Project to purchase a book has been upped to Rs 7,500 from Rs 5,000 from this year, Education Deputy Minister Vijith Vijithamuni Zoysa said in Parliament yesterday.

He said that Rs 1.5 million had been allocated for this project since 2011. The Deputy Minister observed that the project is expanding each year and 200 books are being selected each year for assistance.

Responding to a question raised by UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekera, the Deputy Minister requested the writers to send their complaints to the ministry if there are incidents of deprivation of this assistance, adding that such requests will be reconsidered.

He also said that the project had not been inactive since its introduction in 1978. From 1978-99, Rs 600,000 has been allocated for this project while Rs 1 million had been allocated from 2000-2010. This amount had been increased to Rs 1.5 million in 2011.