Parliament

People are now enjoying fruits of freedom - Minister W D J Seneviratne

Sandasen MARASINGHE and Irangika RANGE

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa presided yesterday, when Parliament met at 1.30 pm.

After presentation of papers and oral questions, the House took up the adjournment motion moved by TNA Parliamentarian R Sampanthan.

R Sampanthan (TNA): There are so many issues in the Northern and Eastern Provinces for the Tamil people. They have been deprived of using their religious places. Their historic places of value are being destroyed. The administration in the North and East are being subjected to militarization. On the other hand, the democratic rights of the Tamil people are not respected.

The government is not responding to the grievances of the Tamil people. They have been alienated in their own land.

The objective of my motion is that peace and harmony be ensured in this country and to be assured that there is no recurrence of violence. The government has to address the issues of the Tamil people to bring about peace and reconciliation in the country.

Deputy Chairman of Committees Murugesu Chandrakumar takes the chair.

But nothing has changed. If such matters are running in the same way it won’t do good for the country.

The Tamil people had been displaced by war. The war is over. The lands had been inherited by the Tamil people for generations. How could they be deprived of lands?

Vino Radhalingam (TNA): A number of people who had been badly affected by the war, have still not been resettled in their own lands. The government must take immediate action to resettle them and fulfil their basic needs.

Many problems related to land ownership of the Tamils have not been settled yet even after two years have passed since the end of the war.

Lands and Land Development Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakoon: The government has paid its full attention and focus on how to sort out land ownership problems in areas where conflict revamped for more than three decades. Some owners have left the world while some have left the country to resettle in foreign countries.

We cannot work arbitrarily, but only as a responsible government in this regard. We have taken every measure to facilitate Tamil people to be resettled in their native places and get their documents related to land ownership rights.

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe: There is no transparency of the government with regard to the land policy. The government with the cooperation of the relevant officials and all parliamentarians in the Jaffna District, should formulate a proper plan to solve problems related to land ownership issues in the North and the East.

There are a number of problems pertaining to land ownership in the Jaffna High Security Zones. Arrangements must be made to provide lands to the people who have deeds for those lands.

Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister W D J Seneviratne: With the conclusion of the conflict situation that prevailed in the Northern and Eastern Provinces in 2009, it is a pleasure for me to inform that rapid development is observed in the entire island, especially in the North and East. I am happy to state that the people of the North and East who were victims of LTTE terrorism for nearly 30 years, are now enjoying freedom for the first time.

With the guidance of the President, it has been possible to bring the situation back to normal within a short period of time and to embark on a number of development projects for the wellbeing of the people of the North and East. Now, I would like to draw your attention to the following:

A large number of families who lived in the North were forced by the LTTE to stay in Mullaitivu. Though thousands of families who were liberated by our armed forces were temporarily stationed in Vavuniya, we were able to resettle about 80 percent of them in a short period of time.

All major highways, except a few minor roads in the North are opened for the general public which has resulted in large scale social integration and economic relationship between North and the South, paving a way for rapid economic development.

Infrastructure development in Northern and Eastern Provinces is proceeding at a rapid rate utilizing local and foreign funds. Now all shops, public offices and schools can be seen being kept open.

However, some political groups are harping on insignificant items which have to be done overlooking the massive development process in the North and East which is in progress. Most of the private lands which were in charge of the armed forces have now been handed back, though there are few private lands still under the control of the armed forces. I believe that these too can be handed back with the strengthening of civil administration.

We should never forget the suffering caused, lives lost and damage to properties during the 30-year war. If we are to critically analyze the situation during the last three years, no one can deny that huge relief assistance had been provided for the people of the relevant areas. I believe that we would be able to finalize these activities if the political sector of the North and East extend their cooperation in this regard. It is a pleasure for me to state that our ministry has fulfilled a tremendous mission to establish civil administration in the Northern and Eastern provinces. During the 30 years of war, the civil administration mechanism of this ministry made its contribution for the coordination of services and facilities provided by the government with commitment. Government Agents/District Secretaries, Divisional Secretaries, Assistant Government Agents and Grama Niladharis have been the leading forces in the development process. At present, the civil administration mechanism plays a significant role utilizing the large amounts of funds provided by the Economic Development Ministry and it shoulders the task of coordination of other activities of other line ministries with the assistance of the armed forces.

Reconstruction of buildings belonging to civil adminstration, damaged by war, re-establishment of socio and economic activities, resettlement process, distribution of relief aids, coordination with government and non governmental organizations and coordination of relevant financial and physical resources can be pointed out in this regard.

At present, all District and Divisional Secretaries have become key centres for the development activities of the areas. In addition to the huge development projects launched by the other ministries, Provincial Councils and foreign development projects, our ministry too has made the investments listed below for the development of North and East.

l Rs 92 million has been spent for the engagement of qualified officers in technological services which were required to establish civil administration services in Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu and Jaffna Districts.

l Rs 6.5 million has been spent for the divisional planning, enhancement of computer technology and standardization of public service of Batticaloa, Ampara and Trincomalee Districts.

l Rs 572 million has been spent for the construction of new adminstration building complexes, reconstruction of damaged buildings and for providing office equipment and furniture in North and East.

l Rs 12 million has been spent for the establishment of e-BMD for issuing birth, marriage and death certificates for the Northern Province.

l Rs 82 million has been spent from government funds for initiating administrative activities in the Northern province. Rs 1,030 million has been spent for providing all infrastructure facilities in North and East.

We have been able to rebuild the civil administration in the Northern and Eastern provinces satisfactorily, with proper coordination spending Rs 1,800 million in addition to the large amount of funds provided from other ministries.

Situation of Welioya Division - Mullaitivu District

The following Grama Niladhari Divisions of Welioya, originally comes under Northern Province, Vavuniya and Mullaitivu Districts as follows.

District GN Division

No of families at present

1 Vavunia

1 Ethawetunuwewa 343
2 Kalyanipura 307
3 Sampathgama 386
4 Nikawewa South 302

2 Mullaitivu

1 Ehetugaswewa 373
2 Kiriibbanwewa 288
3 Nawa Gajabapura 354
4 Janakapura 307

Due to the conflict situation, sub offices for Welioya has been created and attached to Padaviya Divisional Secretariat in Anuradhapura District, to look after the matters related to the people of the areas concerned.

Considering the peaceful environment existing and the distance to the related main districts, the Welioya sub office has been attached to the Mullaitivu District in Northern Province to coordinate day-to-day administration from October 2011.

Distance to Mullaitivu from Welioya - 49 km.

Distance to Anuradhapura from Welioya - 128 km.

The following staff members have been appointed to the North and East during this period.

SLAS 17

PMAS 1,155

KKS 73

Translators 3

Another 35 will be appointed during the course of the year.

Another adverse effect caused by the 30-year war is the destruction and misplacement of important documents of people such as deeds and other civil documents, etc. The Department of Registrar General under our ministry has taken the following measures during the past, paying attention to this grave situation. Under the e-BMD Project, which had been implemented to computerize the issue of birth, marriage and death certificates without delay, we have been able to issue nearly 25,000 certificates in Vavuniya, 150,000 certificates in Mannar and a further 175,000 and 1,325,000 certificates respectively, in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu Districts. I would like to state that a sum of around Rs 18 million has been spent to establish this project. So far 96 Registrars have been appointed for the five districts in the Northern Province and 60 mobile services have been conducted in order to expedite the activities. In addition, we have established six land registries. It should be pointed out that in Jaffna District, alone, 19,782 deeds have been registered by September 2011. In all 28,000 deeds have been registered during a period of nine months in Northern Province. This shows our dedication to provide facilities to the general public to get their ownership of land confirmed. At present nearly 82 Notaries are serving in the Northern Province and we are taking necessary measures to appoint staff from the respective areas.

In addition to the above, we are taking action to recruit 60 officers to Sri Lanka Administrative Service by holding a special examination in Tamil medium with a view to remove the dearth of SLAS officers in relevant areas. By now, most of the vacancies in public management assistants’ service have been filled. In the meantime, the attention of our ministry has been drawn to find prompt solutions to the dearth of Grama Niladharis in the divisions and further to modernize the civil administrative activities.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake (DNA): TNA member R Sampanthan, made a statement that can be agreed as well as disagreed in his speech.

After the victory over terrorism, many programmes were implemented. These people were separated for 30 long years. So it is possible to have mistrust between them. So the government should work carefully when they cope with sensitive issues related to them.

Now the issue is not from where they came from, but to consider that they had been born in this land. They are born to this land so they enjoy equal rights. So anybody in this land should have the right to go anywhere in this land and settle anywhere they wish to.

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Rajitha Senaratne: The deeds procedure was introduced by the British in 1867 for a short period of time. They did not change it until they left. We could not change it until 1998.

The deeds are not accepted, but only the title registration. Even a bank accepts the title registration.

This programme was funded by the World Bank to provide title registration. It was initiated then by D M Jayaratne who is Prime Minister today. So it is a must to provide certificate of title registration. The land in the entire country are surveyed to provide title reports.

Even the people in the North and East will be given title reports to their lands which will bring more benefits to them.

Tamil people who left this country in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s are unable to claim their rights as they do not have title registration reports. So the people should be given title registration reports not deeds.

We have to guarantee the dignity of the Sinhala, Tamil as well as the Muslims, or else we cannot talk of dignity of the Sri Lankans. When we consider differences, we have only 10 to 15 differences between the Sinhala and Tamils. More than 85 percent is similar. But you are talking only of differences and highlights only differences. You do it for political gains, third grade political gains.

I have Tamil friends in UK. Some are moderate, while others are extremists. These extremists are talking nonsense as they are not suffering. But only the kith and kin in our country are suffering.

Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga made Sinhala and Tamil both national languages. We know that there are problems to each and every person. The people in the North and East also have problems. We have united the country. We all get-together at the Parliamentary Select Committee to find solution.

With regard to fisheries, I clearly say there are no intruders. The fishermen in the North and East are enjoying their rights.

D M Swaminathan (UNP): The problem of the Tamils is emanating since 1926. This is not an issue. This is not a political issue. This is an individual issue.

We are happy and thankful to this government for defeating the LTTE. We expect this government would solve the problems of Tamils.

The land of the people in North and East are registered by government officials through a circular. Such an Act has not been passed in Parliament.

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Rajitha Senaratne: The Land Settlement Act was passed in 1998. It was moved by the UNP. Even the LTTE did not object to it.

This circular was issued under provisions of that Act.

Resettlement Deputy Minister Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan: The land issue is not particular to Tamils. It is a common issue to everybody in the country. We can solve this issue with discussions. We are now living in a civilized society. You are trying to gain petty political benefits. R Sampanthan is attempting to get political gains. We shouldn’t allow the upcoming of another war.

You are not trying to solve the problems of Tamils, but worsen their problems.

You have double standards. You talk one thing here and another overseas. You also hold discussions with the LTTE.

The President has given massive development projects to the North and East. A kovil was set up at a cost of Rs 11,000 million in addition to development projects. I assure that no Sinhalese have been resettled in the North and East.

You are the people who initiated the war. You are trying to reinitiate a war. Don’t do so.

But during the war, you went to LTTE camps and enjoyed all perks and privileges.

The North and East is developing. President Mahinda Rajapaksa has given us power to develop those areas. Even Minister Douglas Devananda knows it.

You can buy houses in Colombo, the South and anywhere else. So it is not fair to say that you don’t have such rights to dwell in any part of the country. There is a great and prosperous future for the Tamils in the North and East. I request you not to block their development.

Today we have a great leader who genuinely needs to solve problems of this country.

M A Sumanthiran (TNA): The circular that compelled the people in the North and East to register the lands under government officials, should not be limited to North and East only, but to the entire country. But it had been gazetted only in Gampaha and one or two other districts.

Industry and Commerce Minister Rishard Bathudeen

The Government is fully committed to address the problems pertaining to the war affected people. We have been able to resettle over 300,000 people in the Eastern Province under the instructions of Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa. People are living in a peaceful and harmonious society. We should not allow terrorism to raise its ugly head again. We must thank the President for restoring peace and harmony in this country.

R. Yogarajan (UNP)

Reconciliation between the Tamils and Sinhalese, is important to have a true and corporative nation. The government must take all possible steps to give the rights of land ownership to the Tamils in the North and East.

Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Minister Douglas Devananda

The disastrous 30 year long war has come to end with the dawn of peace under the present regime.

The government is involved in resolving of land disputes in the North and East.

The land registration process is now under way.

The Tamil diaspora can be registered in their lands, through on line. The Title Registration Act which is currently implemented in Sri Lanka will really help solve problems with regard to land ownership.

There is no damage to Tamils with regard to the title registration procedure of the government.

Resettlement Minister Gunaratne Weerakoon

Under the resettlement programme, over 26,000 families have already been resettled in the Jaffna District. The government has spent nearly Rs. 55 million to resettle people affected by the recent floods. Still the demining process is going on in several areas and we cannot resettle several people still in their native places due to this reason. We are providing permanent houses and facilities to resettlers which will be supportive to them to carry out their livelihood activities.

Lands and Land Development Deputy Minister Siripala Gamlath

Most of the people in the North and East do not have required documents to claim ownerships to lands. That is why Circular No. 4/2011 has been issued.

A H M Azwer (UPFA): I express my condolence on the demise of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. He was a brilliant leader in the Arab world.

Vinayagamoorthi is telling something!

A H M Azwer (UPFA): You are disgracing the Muslim world, Vinayagamoorthy. He came to Sri Lanka for the Non Aligned Conference. World leaders killed him. They also killed Saddam Hussein.

Without stopping at Iran, they came to Afghanistan and Pakistan. America is falling down. That’s why they are doing all these atrocities.

Thilanga Sumathipala (UPFA): We are disappointed due to the word selection of R Sampanthan in his speech. He said the word cleansing, but we are not doing so.

We don’t want to leave this problem that we suffered for 30 years in the hands of our children.

Very recently, we received good news that a group consisting of three security forces personnel and three ex-LTTErs were to participate at a national competition.

It is very disappointing to see attempts made to tarnish the image of the effort made by this government for reconciliation.

Parliament adjourned until 1 pm on November 8.