‘President aims for a realistic budget’

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s government was successful in pushing Sri Lanka in the right direction through last year’s budget ensuring economic empowerment even during the recession. In the same manner, I am confident that President Rajapaksa, as the Finance Minister, will put forward a realistic budget aimed at economic development rather than aiming for short-term benefits, said Leader of the House and Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva during an interview with the Daily News

Here are extracts of the interview:

Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva

Q: What can the public expect from the 2012 budget?

A: When last year’s budget was presented, the Opposition making various speculations said it was not a realistic budget. Some of the ‘Pandiths’ in the UNP argued that the government will not be able to survive or keep the pace of economic development through the measures included in that budget. However, it is very clear today, that economic empowerment took place despite the recession in the world economy. The government collected taxes, paid salaries and settled other loan installments without any problem which demonstrates that President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s government had been successful in pushing Sri Lanka in the right direction. In the same manner, I am confident that President Rajapaksa, as the Finance Minister, will put forward a realistic budget aimed at economic development rather than aiming for short-term benefits.

Q: The Gateway to the Wonder of Asia will be opened on November 27. Why is it significant?

A: The Gateway to the Wonder of Asia, the Southern Expressway, is a landmark in road development in our country. Earlier, we could only see highways in Malaysia, Singapore or Japan. This clearly demonstrates the development efforts of the UPFA government under Mahinda Chinthana - Vision for the Future.

This certainly promotes investment, industries, tourism and also brings people from different Provinces closer. We hope that other planned highways will also be built within the next few years.

Q: The JVP split is clear now. What do you think about it?

A: As a person who advocates democracy, the split or break up of any Opposition political party is not a reason to be joyful. The country needs a very strong Opposition, whether we are in power or not. The duty of the Opposition is to settle their differences and serve the people and the country because the Opposition has a great role to play in Parliamentary democracy. Not only the JVP but also the UNP has split.

We do not know whether this is due to ideological or personal reasons. Whatever the reason, it may affect the people of Sri Lanka. As we are in the government, one might say that we welcome such divisions, fractions and weakening of the Opposition. But we do not hope for such situations.

President Rajapaksa has always stated that there must be a vibrant Opposition for the necessary checks and balances in Parliamentary democracy.

Therefore, I hope the Opposition will understand the situation and think more about the people of Sri Lanka than themselves.

Q: Sri Lanka lost the bid to host 2018 Commonwealth Games. Please comment.

A: It is true that Sri Lanka lost the bid to host the Commonwealth Games. That will in no way affect the political stability or the economic empowerment of Sri Lanka. When that issue came up before the bidders, what was considered was the most suitable venue for the Commonwealth Games taking into consideration the available infrastructure.

This gives Sri Lanka an opportunity to develop our infrastructure. Australia was the venue for Commonwealth Games on four previous occasions. The last time Australia hosted the Commonwealth Games was in 2006 in Melbourne.

The Commonwealth Leaders’ Conference is scheduled to be held in Colombo in 2013. It was endorsed by the leaders very recently. This is a glaring example for the confidence the Commonwealth community has in Sri Lanka.

Q: Explain the objectives of introducing the Revival of Underperforming Enterprises and Underutilized Assets Act.

A: This Act is not intended to take any political revenge or target any individual or enterprise. As I stated in Parliament, some of the enterprises belong to some businessmen who helped the UPFA government. Some enterprises of businessmen holding key positions in our government’s administration were taken back on a policy decision taken by the government. It has to be clearly mentioned that none of these enterprises were originally owned by any private individual.

All these enterprises belonged to the government or in other words, to the people of Sri Lanka.

They were privatized to bring more efficiency and productivity. But for a long time, these aspirations were not met by the companies or people to whom these properties were entrusted. Some have deviated from their original pledges and violated the condition of transferring these businesses to the private sector. Therefore, the government took this decision to develop these enterprises and thereby strengthen the national economy.

Q: Certain media reports said that water is to be privatized in the future. Can you explain?

A: The government has no intention whatsoever to privatize water. As Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister, I must emphatically state that our aim is better water management without wasting water, thereby providing adequate water for all. In that process, there is no room for privatization at all. This is a false rumour which is being spread by some unscrupulous elements.