PARLIAMENT

Budget 2012:

'Best relief given to country is guarantee to live peacefully'

Sandasen MARASINGHE, Irangika RANGE and Disna MUDALIGE

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa presided when Parliament met at 9.30am yesterday. After the presentation of papers and oral questions, the House took up the adjourned debate on the Appropriation Bill 2012.

Mangala Samaraweera (UNP): President Rajapaksa's regime presented this budget when turbulence was taking place in world urging for a democratic world order.

The fall of dictatorship is visible all over the world. The plight of some of these key dictators have been very miserable. The revival of democracy is seen throughout the world.

It is seen that Sri Lanka is moving towards dictatorship and is following policies far from democracy.

The emerging tyranny in the country is not a good omen. People who appear on behalf of democratic rights are suppressed all the time. Opposition parties are made weak and the media is used for the uncritical coverage of the ruling party.

Through the 18th Amendment to the Constitution made by President Rajapaksa's dynasty, there has been an outrageous power grab. Incidents of encroachments of the judiciary have been witnessed, which are threats to the democracy of the country.(Interruptions)

No budget will be successful when there is no law and order in the country.

Petroleum Industries Minister Susil Premajayantha: Samaraweera MP accepted that on May 19, 2009, the country got a reliable opportunity to establish peace in the country. Who provided the opportunity for it? A large number of soldiers sacrificed their lives to bring peace to the country. There had been a number of governments before President Rajapaksa's regime, who were unable to bring peace by defeating terrorism. The credit of defeating terrorism and ushering peace should be given to President Rajapaksa.

Samaraweera MP's speech was catering to the desires of the Human Right Council and certain western countries.

This government held democratic elections in every province. The opposition parties lost most of them, which showed the opinion of the people. The situation in the Middle Eastern countries was different and a single ruler or regime ruled these countries for long years without holding elections.

Samaraweera MP also said that he as the former Foreign Minister, was able to ban the LTTE in several countries. It was not because of his contribution, but because of the killing of former Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar that countries such as Canada and Australia decided to ban the LTTE in their countries.

Today this government is selling a litre of diesel at Rs 18 less than its actual cost. The country needs 500,000 litres of diesel per day.

So the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation has to bear the loss of Rs 90 million per single day only from diesel. When calculated, the losses to the Corporation due to the concessionary price of diesel amounts to Rs 2,700 million per month. There is also relief that we provide to our people. A litre of kerosene is also being sold at a reduced price than the actual cost.

Not only for petroleum concessions, but this government also bears a massive cost for fertilizer subsidy as well.

Deputy Chairman of Committees Chandrakumar Murugesu takes the chair

The 'Divi Neguma' programme is to be extended to 2.5 million families in the near future and we will be able to cut down the prices of vegetable from this initiative. This budget has facilitated more money for this programme.

The best relief that had been granted to the people in this country is the guaranteeing of their right to live peacefully in this country. There are attempts still to reverse this achievement of the people and Mangala's speech made in this House, is proof of such attempts. That's why he spoke defaming the cost and other such areas. So we have to win this budget proposal to win this country and drive the country forward to make this land the Miracle of Asia.

Harin Fernando (UNP):

The policy of this government is to pressurize public servants to get their work done. The people have no right to express their opinion peacefully. We as the Opposition, have a backbone to appreciate correct decisions and to object to wrong decisions. The stock market has collapsed. The private sector had a hope that this budget would provide relief to them.

This budget had been drafted to the conditions of the IMF. To increase the GDP by 6.5 percent is a condition of the IMF. This budget is an empty budget.

Opposition criticized the budget unware of its contents

Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage:

The Opposition started to protest against the budget even before it had been presented. They protested even without knowing its contents.

Mangala Samaraweera criticized the courts and their decisions. Mangala accused us of influencing court decisions.

If we had done so, why couldn't we get 2 out of 3.

It is a shame that Ranil Wickremesinghe had discussions with 'Kudu Lal' for nearly 2 hours. It is no wonder that Ranil associated with Gonawala Sunil.

Tissa Attanayake knows what he did to Anuruddha Ratwatte who prevented war in Jaffna. He conspired at Janaki Hotel.

When Mahinda Rajapaksa won the election, the country was peaceful as on a Full Moon Poya day.

But when the UNP won, 20,000 houses were set on fire.

What did Ranil do to Buddhika Pathirana who expressed his support to Ranil signed with blood? That is the nature of Ranil Wickremesinghe. Mangala Samaraweera is frothing with jealousy and envy.

Harsha de Silva is criticizing car races. We held a car race in Kandy which attracted nearly 200,000 fans to Kandy? Could Tissa Attanayake do this? He also criticized Carlton Sports. Our attempt is to make this country the Wonder of Asia.

S. Sritharan (TNA):

The budget had been drafted to develop the economy. But the Tamil people have been cornered. The amount allocated for the health sector and education is not adequate. The Tamil people have no confidence of their future. The Tamil youths are frustrated. The country is only concentrating on development.

A development- oriented budget

Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka: This is a development-oriented budget. Eventhough many developed countries in the world are in the process of cutting and reducing welfare measures of the people, our government has allocated massive amounts of funds for welfare and pension facilities of the people. Only Rs 75 billion has been allocated for development during the UNP regime.

But this government had allocated Rs 475 billion to carry out development activities. Both the North and East have been paid special attention by this budget which had allocated a huge amount of money to develop these two regions. Today the country is moving towards development and economic prosperity.

The literacy rate is very high in Sri Lanka compared to other countries. Women representation is visible almost in all sectors of the economy.

The poverty rate which was 20 percent in the 1980s have come down to 9 percent today. This is a remarkable achievement.

The country is being converted into a modern hub of technology. According to the latest figures, 82 percent of the population, are in use of mobile phones while 3 percent utilize laptops.

Eran Wickramaratne (UNP): The UNP had followed proper economic policies which catered to the aspirations of all communities and all key sectors in Sri Lanka during its regime.

The UNP had an economic vision. That is why the country achieved many development goals during its reign. Political leaders who represented the UNP came up with very progressive political and economic solutions during its era.

This has resulted in achieving a number of industrial, agricultural and service growth. The budget 2012, has allocated a less amount of money for the health and education sectors.

Employment opportunities have not been increased. That is why people migrate to other countries. If the government had eliminated inefficiency, wastage and corruption, it would have saved more money and increased the salaries of public servants.

'People continuously keep faith in the govt'

National Languages and Social Integration Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara: Opposition parties have collapsed and the people continuously keep faith in the government. Most government departments operate incurring losses. For example, the electricity and postal services are given to people bearing losses. These losses are endured by the government in order to provide these services at cheaper rates to the people. People are not given unnecessary burdens understanding their existing problems.

I must also note that as a party, we do not agree the decision to depreciate the value of the Rupee.

However, we appreciate that the inflation rate of the country has been controlled at percent. The economic growth rate is also maintained by about 8 percent. Telecommunication, transport, electricity and industrial sectors of the country have shown rapid development. The debt burden of the country has declined.

Namal Rajapaksa (UPFA): I take this opportunity to express my condolences over the demise of former Minister Anuruddha Ratwatte.

The living standards of the people have been improving with the dawn of peace in the country. The tourism industry has shown rapid development and for the first time in history, the number of tourist arrivals had surpassed 750,000 yesterday.

Various skills development and vocational training programmes have also been introduced.

The sports sectors in the country have also been given prominence by this government. We competed with Australia to win the bid to host the Commonwealth Games in Sri Lanka. Many criticized this move. But as a nation, we were not afraid to face the challenges. We were able to win the support of many Commonwealth countries even though we ultimately lost the bid.

Shirashakthi Anandan (TNA): The brutal war in this country had come to end, but still there are problems that should be addressed.

Reconciliation and national integration in the country should be promoted by taking necessary measures for ethnic harmony.

The displaced people from the war should be resettled and their difficulties and grievances addressed.

We too love this country. We have not gone against the country. We had complained to International Bodies, as our demands were not given proper attention by the government. If those were looked into, we would not have been pushed to seek international assistance.

Water Supply and Drainage Deputy Minister Nirupama Rajapaksa: Ever since President Mahinda Rajapaksa took over the reigns of the country, it started to undergo revolutionary changes in almost every field of the country.

Every sector of the economy has been developed for the benefit of the people without having any concern to the benefits of any individual or any interested group.

A number of economic and social development projects have been launched under the leadership of President Rajapaksa.

Among these development projects, there are massive projects such as the Mattala Airport, Hambantota Harbour and Moragahakanda Reservoir.

A H M Azwer takes the chair

The govt is borrowing more and more loans

Asoka Abeysinghe (UNP): The country's debt burden is very high and the government is obtaining more and more loans to repay the debts. Sri Lanka is in 13th position where debts are concerned. Japan is in the first position. But there is no problem for Japan since 100 percent of them are inland loans.

But where Sri Lanka is concerned, over 50 percent of them are foreign loans.

Vijitha Berugoda (UPFA): This budget is development-oriented and designed to provide welfare to the people. The Opposition always seems to forget the constructive points of the government. When we consider the political history of the country, there were times when the government paid the fines imposed on Police officers by Court and later promoted them to higher ranks of the service.

This government's objective is to increase the per capita income to US Dollars 4,000 in 2016.

Shehan Samarasinghe (UPFA): This budget is concentrating on the social development in par with the economic development rate existing in the country. On the other hand, this budget has proposals to educate the children in all three languages to prevent the country going back to a dark era once again.

I am happy that the President had concentrated on developing cultivations such as rice, nuts, undu etc.

People are unable to get proper healthcare

Niroshan Perera (UNP): Today, the ordinary people are not in a position to get proper healthcare.

The government has commenced to impose taxes on the telecommunications sector which would affect communication between Sri Lankans employed abroad with their family members or relatives living in Sri Lanka.

Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Minister Chandrasiri Gajadheera: At this specific moment, there is a hurricane in Matara. Several craft have gone missing. Many houses have been destroyed.

This hurricane had commenced when Mangala Samaraweera spoke in this House. The environment too doesn't tolerate the contents of his speech.

He is dreaming that the incidents that took place in Iran and Libya would take place in Sri Lanka. That is why I said the environment would not tolerate his speech. He said that there was no democracy in Sri Lanka.

But all elections have been held in a peaceful environment. If he says no, he does not know what democracy means. That's why I said the environment does not tolerate his speech.

I have to say that this budget have provisions for helpless inmates in prison that this budget had created history in the country.

The President had said in his budget speech that most of the inmates were imprisoned as they were not in a position to pay the fine. The President has proposed to settle the fine by means of a loan. These are historic reforms. TNA said that there was no allocation for rehabilitation. But we have rehabilitated 65,000 ex-LTTE combatants. But if it were some other country, all those ex-combatants would have been killed. Those are precedents we have so far in the world history. But our President had accepted them as his own children.

The President has allocated money for rehabilitation. It's allocated to Rehabilitation Authority and Commissioner General for that purpose. We had 29 Rehabilitation Centres, but there are only four as of now. But those four centres have been transferred to training centres.

Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Minister Chandrasiri Gajadeera: The budget had paid special attention to key economic sectors in the country and extra allocations have been made in view of the development of the country. It has been given a balanced approach to both welfare facilities of the people as well as development programmes of the country.

Sriyani Wijewickrama (UPFA): This is a welfare budget. The budget has introduced many avenues to improve the rural economy. Now the entire country really experiences the massive development drive. Income of the paddy farmers have been increased due to bumper paddy harvests recorded in the recent past.

Our country had recorded a good economic growth despite the world economic crisis.

A new training school should be established to provide academic and practical training to farmers.

National Resources Senior Minister Piyasena Gamage: The government has taken steps to decrease budget deficits through this budget. The budget deficit which was 9.9 percent in 2009, has been reduced to 7 percent in 2010. We intend to further reduce the budget deficit up to 6.2 percent this year.

Lands which have been abandoned and given to the private sector will be distributed among identified households and small scale industrialists.

Massive development projects are underway to boost the economy of this country and improve the living standards of the people.

Anoma Gamage (UNP): The government has crushed the confidence of the investors. The stock market has collapsed today. If the government took measures to protect the GSP+ scheme, industries especially garment industries would not have collapsed.

Prices of essential items have not been reduced through this budget. People of this country ultimately shoulder the burdens. Many profit making institutions which had generated employment opportunities in rural areas, have closed down. This situation will badly affect the economy.

Labour and Labour Relations Minister Gamini Lokuge: The Opposition directed criticism for taking over the Sevanagala Company. It was a public enterprise that had been sold to the private sector and the government decided to take over it since it was underperforming.

The government is following farsighted economic policies and this budget had been prepared based on those policies. The tourism industry in the country is flourishing day-by-day.

750,000 tourists arrived in the country recently. The country earns foreign exchange from these tourists.

This budget has given benefits to all segments. Public servants have been given a salary hike. Rubber, tea and coconut cultivators have been given numerous benefits.

Fertilizer subsidy has been continuing. I ask the Opposition members whether they were against these moves. The Opposition should admire the good proposals without criticising the government all the time.

H M M Harees (UPFA): These budget proposals will help to move the country forward. The Northern and Eastern Provinces in the country are experiencing rapid development. The country is getting ready to become a hub in various sectors. With these achievements, Sri Lanka would become the Miracle of Asia in the near future.

The tourism boom in the country brings a lot of foreign exchange to the country. The Economic Development Ministry is supporting the village community to start self-employment through the Divi Neguma programme.

A new Court complex is to be built in Kalmunai and Rs 100 million has been allocated for it. We express our gratitude towards this move.

Udith Lokubandara takes the Chair.

Ajith P Perera (UNP): Two years have passed since the conclusion of the war. There is desperation among people since their expectations for a better future, have been ruined. The country is heading towards economic and political deterioration.

Today, about 650,000 cases have piled up in the Courts, due to delays in the legal procedure.

If this government wants to improve this sector, I would like to remind the government that it cannot be done by just spending Rs 100 million. The whole judiciary system should be revived. The promised Rs 750 for the parents of war heroes is not enough. This is humiliation to them.

S C Muthukumarana (UPFA): This is a successful budget that had looked into very aspect that should have been covered. One of the commendable moves presented in this budget is the allocation of Rs 125 million to establish 'language centres' to promote a bilingual society. This will enhance ethnic harmony in the country.

Eventhough certain MPs stated that Rs 750 is an insufficient grant to the parents of war heroes, I would like to observe that still this money has an importance and value for them. About Rs 1,200 million had been allotted for this grant.

I also commend the increased allocation for the Samurdhi programme. In future, people in the North and East will also be entitled to receive Samurdhi grants.

Public Management Reforms Minister Naveen Dissanayake: During former President Premadasa's regime in 1988 the country's economic growth rate was 2.8 percent and still he won the election.

Today, the economic growth rate is at eight percent and usually this does not go beyond 10 percent. This is a remarkable achievement of the present government.

Still foreign investors have not come to our country after the war to a satisfactory level. We have to improve this number and I accept this fact. We have set targets to improve this gradually.

At adjournment

Mechanism needed for translation of Sinhala, Tamil books

The National Languages and Social Integration Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara: stated in Parliament that measures have been taken to set up a mechanism to translate important Sinhala language books to the Tamil language and vice versa.

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

A. H. M. Azwer (UPFA): Sinhala and Tamil language books have been published. There are skilfull writers. So there must be a mechanism to encourage these writers to publish books.

The government should take measures to publish these books and translate Sinhala books into Tamil and vice versa. Then only unity between communities could be developed.

The late Martin Wickramasinghe was a great writer. Writers should be encouraged. The MD Gunasena and Godage companies are rendering a great service as book publishers.

Uvais Farook (UPFA): I second this motion. Translating Tamil books into Sinhala and Sinhala books into Tamil, communities would be able to understand the thoughts of others and vice versa.

National Languages and Social Integration Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara: To day we have reached a juncture where we have to make efforts to build up peace and harmony among communities.

The Sinhala and Tamil writers met me and inquired as to what support we could extend to them. They also presented us several suggestions. We have to interduce a mechanism to translate books from Tamil to Sinhala and vice versa.

Reconciliation between Sinhala and Tamil communities is essential for the future of the country. It has to be facilitated by the governing party and literature can do a great job in this task.

The House was adjourned until 9.30 am on Monday.

Uma Oya Project will not affect farmers - minister

Sandasen MARASINGHE, Irangika Range and Disna MUDALIGE

Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said yesterday that no farming land will be affected with the implementation of the Uma Oya Development Project.

He made this observation in response to a supplementary question raised by UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekera whether 27,652 farming lands around Uma Oya will be inundated with the project’s implementation.

The minister said that water is pumped through an underground tunnel and no lands of farmers will be affected.

Minister de Silva said that the general water flow of Uma Oya will not be affected and the people in Badulla, Badulu Oya and Meegahakiula area will enjoy water without any disturbance.

He said that it was planned only to direct the excess rain water of Uma Oya, that floods the Puhul Pola area and Bathmedilla area, to a reservoir under the Uma Oya Project.

The minister said that the construction of the Thalpitigala reservoir for farmers and people is another project carried out under the Uma Oya Project.

He added that the Thalpitigala reservoir construction project is to commence next year.

Power piracy costs CEB Rs 6 b annually – Ranawaka

Power piracy costs the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Rs six billion annually, Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said in Parliament yesterday.

Power pirates spirit away around four percent of the annual power production and the cost of these unsettled bills is more than the cost of providing Samurdhi beneficiaries to the people, the minister said.

The highest number of power piracy cases are reported from the Northern and Eastern Provinces, Ranawaka said.

The minister said around 23 percent of the total power production had gone unaccounted at the time he assumed duties as the minister.

Ranawaka said that only 77 percent of the production had been billed. The percentage billed has increased to 87 percent after raids and legal action. The percentage of unsettled and unaccounted bills is around 13 percent. Of this, four percent was lost due to power piracy. The CEB aims to bring down the percentage of power loss to nine percent, the minister said.

Ranawaka said stern action will be taken against power pirates. “The CEB is now in a position to provide a continuous power supply even if the reservoirs receive enough rainfall or not,” the minister said. The reservoirs had recorded the lowest rainfall this year owing to the delay in monsoonal rains and contributed a low hydro power production, he said. The minister said that power supplies continued with electricity generated from fuel. “Come what may, we will provide an uninterrupted power supply,” he said.

Govt aims to increase fish production – Rajitha

The government aims to increase the country’s fish production to eliminate malnutrition by 2013, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Rajitha Senaratne said in Parliament yesterday.

He said that sea water fish production is about 400,000 metric tons and that the government has plans to increase this to 678,000 metric tons.

The minister observed that fresh water fish production will be increased to 92,000 metric tons. This is 52,000 metric tons at present. He said that facilities have been granted for sea water and fresh water fish breeding.

The minister was responding to a question raised by UNP MP Buddhika Pathirana.