PARLIAMENT

Budget 2012:

'Int'l opportunities coming our way must not be sacrificed for narrow gains'

Sandasen MARASINGHE, Irangika RANGE and Disna MUDALIGE

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

According to statistics the poverty line has gone up

Sajith Premadasa (UNP):

I would like to begin my speech stating that I will base my presentation purely on facts which will give a realistic assessment of the basic ingredients of the budget 2012. I would not resort to malicious criticisms, but will provide constructive criticisms only.

The aim of the Samurdhi is to build society with less poverty. When considering the statistics this year's and last year's, it is visible that the poverty rate had actually gone up.

Last year, the President said in his budget speech that the poverty rate had declined to 7.6 percent. This year he said that it had reduced to 8.9 percent. So, in reality it is clearly evident, that the poverty rate has gone up by 1.3 percent compared to last year.

We, the Opposition members, continuously pointed out that the meagre amount given to Samurdhi beneficiaries had not been sufficient to eliminate poverty. We are glad that he had heeded this request and has taken measures to increase this amount from budget 2012.

Over 30 percent of the country's population receives the Samurdhi grant. Still, our poverty rate has been high as 8.9 percent. There are disparities in the manner in which capital and other resources and opportunities have been distributed among the people. During the past few years, I would like to observe that the debt burden of a citizen in the country had doubled, according to calculations.

Deputy Chairman of Committees Chandrakumar Murugesu takes the Chair.

External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris:

I was deeply saddened over the attempted speech of Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe in this House today. It had been agreed that the Commonwealth Heads of States Meeting in 2013, should be held in Sri Lanka. All Commonwealth countries excepting one country, had supported this proposal. So, these international opportunities that our country receives, should not be politically victimized for narrow minded gains. Even though the Opposition Leader removed his Commonwealth tie, he cannot change the will of 56 Commonwealth States.

There had been attempts to produce Sri Lanka before the Geneva Human Rights Council where President Rajapaksa and I were attending the UN sessions during that time. We could explain the position of the country very clearly and win the support of many foreign countries to our side.

Therefore, the attempt had been successfully defeated. Even during the SAARC Summit, member countries had stated very positively and strongly that the defeat of terrorism in Sri Lanka was not only a gain limited to our territory, but was a regional achievement which provided relief to many countries.

Today, the people in the Northern and Eastern Provinces are regaining their normal life and the development growth in the Northern Province alone, has exceeded 22 percent. We have been taking measures to promote reconciliation, national integration and accountability of the country.

We are reaching out to the international community and I stress that the support of the majority of 193 countries in the world is with Sri Lanka. These countries will stand by our country during needy times.

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne:

The Opposition is criticising the budget in the traditional manner. There is hardly any constructive proposals and criticisms in the speeches of the Opposition.

The behaviour of the Opposition during the President's budget speech was abominable.

The behaviour of Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe in the House today is also unacceptable. By removing his tie, he conveyed a bad example and violated the tradition and Standing Orders of the House. He steeped down to a low level with his conduct which is not suitable for a matured political figure.

This budget has proposed a massive package of relief to the people. The proposals are to reduce disparities between the rich and the poor.

I would like to note that this government has been pursuing a mission to reduce poverty with a well-organized plan. The poverty in estates have come down to 11.4 percent from 32 percent. Rural poverty has declined to 9.4 percent from 15 percent. The urban poverty has been controlled at five percent.

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Rajitha Senaratne:

The government has spent a sum of Rs five billion to improve rural road network. Special allocations have been made to develop the public transport system.

Accordingly, 200 new buses were to be added to the SLTB fleet in the near future. Constructions of new harbours are under way. A sum of Rs. 40 billion has been allocated to provide fertilizer subsidy. The government has initiated a massive irrigation project which will renovate 32 new major and miner scale reservoirs.

Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne: The budget has been presented by the President targeting the development of the entire nation. This will move our economy towards prosperity. Today the economy has been very stable. Per capita income had determined on the basis of purchasing power. It has been reported that the purchasing power which had been 2,000 in 2010, has increased to 4,000 this year. The poverty rate which was 15 percent in 2007, had come down to 8 percent this year. A massive development process had been undertaken by the government. The roads have been carpeted. Highways have been commissioned.

Today our economy has been rapidly increasing. Our development rate has been even higher than of the Maldives. When the economy develops, the benefits go to the people. We can be happy that the livelihoods of the people have been improved after 2005. Our target has been to export crops which are cultivated in Sri Lanka.

Gayantha Karunathileke (UNP):

This is a useless budget.

The budget has provided relief only to ministers, members and their friends and also those favoured by the government. The budget had not given any relief to the common man. It had not addressed their problems.

The people expected more benefits through this budget, but their dreams have been shattered. The war which had been dragging for nearly 30 year's in the country, had ended due to the sacrifices made by war heroes. The commanding officer who gave leadership to win the war hadbeen imprisoned. Today the government is trying to hide its weakness by covering behind the war victory. The budget has completely neglected the private sector employees. This budget had also not mentioned the employment opportunities to graduates. The number of graduates had been increased to 40,000.

Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Amaraweera:

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody takes the Chair

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has embarked on a massive programme to protect the farmers. The grain productivity had been increased. Farmers had been given utmost priority and they are helped by the government.

The country is self-sufficient in rice. Now we are exploring the possibilities of exporting rice. The public service which had been curtailed during the UNP regime have been strengthened. Public servants have been given salary increments through this budget.

Chandrani Bandara (UNP):

With the incidents that occurred during the budget presentation, doubts have emerged as to the operation of democracy in the country. These incidents took place even in the presence of the President.

According to my view, this budget had not properly allocated funds to any sector. The allocation of funds for the SLTB has been insufficient considering its importance to the people. The sum allocated for education too had not been sufficient.

Mass Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella:

I would like to begin my speech by extending my gratitude to the triforce personnel and President, for allowing us to live in peace and harmony by liberating the country. The brave leadership given for this endeavour should be commended.

I request the Opposition not to work against the country by joining international bodies. The Opposition has also criticised the conduct of MPs during the President's budget speech. We also raise the same issue.

The budget is the most significant document and it had been presented by the most respected 'first citizen' of the country. At this moment, disrupting the business of Parliament by protests is unacceptable.

We have granted the promised salary hike. From last year's budget, public servants have received a 5 percent salary hike and from this year's budget another 10 percent salary hike had been given. When calculated, the public servants have already received a salary hike of more than Rs 2,500.

Development activities in the country is taking place. Every house will receive electricity within the next year.

The village roads have been developed and most of the families have obtained the access to safe drinking water. People in rural villages have witnessed the dividends of development.

This government has come forward to provide the needed facilities to farmers. We have given priority to satisfy the needs of farmers who provide the country's staple food. Rs 40 billion has been allocated for their welfare.

The Opposition members also stated that the amount allocated for education was insufficient. But do not forget that this amount did not include the allocations given to Provincial Councils.

Chandrakumar Murugesu (UPFA):

Now the brutal war which had ruined the country for 30 years had come to an end, new expectations have emerged in the minds of the people. This budget should cater to fulfil the expectations of the people. This should be a people-oriented budget.

Ensuring peace and security is highly important in the post war scenario that the country is facing. Strengthening the Defence sector is important to achieve this target. War affected people should be given prominent attention and they should be provided with necessary relief.

A H M Azwer takes the Chair

Jayantha Ketagoda (DNA):

The debt burden in the country and also amounts spent on interest of these loans are very high. There is no miracle in the budget presented by the President. It has devalued the rupee and this will lead to dire results. The taxes imposed on people will rise and the cost of living will increase. As we got to know this is done to comply with IMF conditions.

The debt amount is mentioned in billions of rupees in the budget. This shows the high amount of debts the government had obtained.

Environment Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa:

Jayantha Ketagoda spoke with malicious intention about the President.

There are certain international organizations set up in Sri Lanka who had promoted terrorism in the country those days. They had spoken of the flaws in the country. Now they are not provided with funds and are envious of the President of this country.

Today there is a protest being held for the release of Former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka.

These people have no vision. At times they would support the left and some other time support the Opposition. They have no vision concerning the economy of the country.

Our country is well stable, whereas many other countries in the region are not so. It was under such an environment that we have to debate the budget. The UNP who presented a budget in 2001, proposed to reduce the public service to one third of its strength. It had been the vision of the capitalist countries.

Now what do the UNP say? We have increased the strength of the public service by one third. We have doubled their salaries, and so forth.

We have to discuss the welfare provided by the government to those below the poverty line. They are given welfare and steps have been taken to support them to empower themselves. This government has been able to boost the economic development in the rural areas by developing the infrastructure.

Now there is a major collapse in the capitalistic economies in the global arena. Whatever happens, we are able to steer our economy towards development and we will support this budget.

Kamala Ranathunga (UPFA):

This budget has short-term and long-term proposals for the development of this country. During the past, the police was a cat's paw of politicians during the UNP regime.

Agrarian Services and Wildlife Minister S M Chandrasena:

This budget has been designed to convert this country to one of the developed nations in the world. This government has taken measures to construct a developed road net work. Next year it has planned to provide electricity to every citizen. Then allocations have been made around Rs 8,335 million for the supply of water. To develop a nation, there are three important factors, namely, roads, water and electricity.

This government has taken measures to make this country self-sufficient.

With promotion of the home-garden concept, the prices of vegetables have been reduced.

Govt has violated human rights of people

Rosy Senanayake (UNP):

It is shameful that the brave War Hero who gave leadership to end the war is in jail now. The government has violated the human rights of the people.

The economy has collapsed. We expected that the government would have presented a development-oriented and welfare-focused budget. But 50 percent of the funds from the budget had been allocated to settle debts obtained by the government.

Plantation Industries Deputy Minister Earl Gunasekera:

The budget proposals have been presented with the view of developing the country. The budget has focused the welfare of various groups of children, women, elderly people, journalists, artistes and War Heroes.

Around 37,000 acres of land which had not been cultivated will be given to the people for cultivation. We can convert abandoned lands in Sri Lanka into income earning avenues.

Dr Ramesh Pathirana (UPFA):

The budget has been presented with the aim of converting Sri Lanka as the hub of knowledge, aviation, telecommunication and ports. Investments on education is very important. Therefore, special attention has been paid for education in this budget.

We have made arrangements to develop the tourism sector. Our target is to achieve 2.5 million tourist arrivals this year. We are working hard to achieve this target. If we want to develop the country, we have to work dedicatedly for it.

A Adaikkalanathan (TNA):

The livestock industry has collapsed in the North during the war. Farmers have been deprived of their facilities. The government has not addressed the problems of dairy farmers, even though the war had been over. Resettled people in the North are living in great difficulties.

Cost of Living will decline when 'Divi Neguma' programme is promoted

State Resources and Enterprise Development Deputy Minister Sarath Kumara Gunaratne:

I thank the President for granting a 50 percent tax concession for the importation of vehicles which can he used for the tourism industry in the country. The tourism industry alone can convert this country as the Miracle of Asia. However, there should be a proper standard for the foreign currency conversion to Rupees.

The Cost of Living will see a sharp decline, when local productions promoted by 'Divi Neguma' programme enters the market. This programme has been implemented on a large-scale by the Economic Development Ministry.

V S Radhakrishnan (UPFA):

The President consulted various segments of society before compiling the budget proposals. He also considered the suggestions of junior MPs without discarding their ideas. The contribution of all stakeholders is seen in this budget.

The Southern Expressway has been open to the public, which is a commendable move. The President also had promised a similar expressway to the North. These developments in road systems will benefit the public and will increase the economy of the country.

M B Farook (UPFA):

Without party differences among us, we have to extend our support to the President for his endeavour to take the country forward in the correct path. The war in the country has been successfully handled by th President with his brave leadership and determination and we are now enjoying the dividends of peace and freedom.

People in the South are now visiting the Northern province without fear in their minds. The terror period of the country had gone and it is a new era which is before us.

Dr Rohana Pushpakumara (UPFA):

TNA MP Adaikalanathan directed false criticism. We are not aware where he had been during the period of war. He is attempting to flame ethnic extremism once again. He is trying to create unnecessary problems among the fishing community.

Today the Northern and Eastern regions are enjoying a high degree of freedom and the government is providing its maximum support to these people. The economic development in the Northern province has reached 22 percent. The President has paid equal attention to the North as well as the South.

Lands and Land Development Deputy Minister Siripala Gamlath:

This budget will usher prosperity to the country in the long-term. It has included both short and long-term plans which have been aimed at a massive transformation of the country.

Not only allocations for 'Divi Neguma' and Samurdhi, but also benefits have been granted for industrial and service sector of the country through this budget. Funds have been allocated for the promotion of paddy cultivation in the country, aiming for the exportation of rice. This government always appear on behalf of the needs of the farmers.

The allowance granted to the elderly people over 70 years, has increased to Rs 1,000 from Rs 300. This will be a relief to the elderly community in the country.

At adjournment

The government will continue to allocate funds for the development of the North and East, Environment Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa told Parliament yesterday.

The minister was responding to an adjournment motion moved by UPFA MP Shantha Bandara.

Shantha Bandara (UPFA):

The people of the North and East have been living under severe oppression for many years. The main reason for this is the activities of the LTTE such as conscription of children of Tamil families, assassination of the Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim people triggering a warring situation, disruption of administration due to failure to hold elections, resulting in the absence of State patronage. However, with the decimation of terrorism under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, a situation has dawned again for this people of the North and East to live with fresh hopes for a better future.

Dr. Ramesh Pathirana (UPFA):

The government is committed to develop the North and East and uplift the livelihoods of people of these two regions.

Environment Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa:

A massive amount of funds have been allocated by the government to improve the infrastructure facilities in the North and East.

Due to the implementation of special development programmes and administrative activities within a very brief period by the government, the development in the North and East have achieve a growth rate of 23 percent.

Road development, upgrading facilities of schools and hospitals have been completed in two regions.

The debate was adjourned until 9.30am today.