PARLIAMENT

Budget 2012:

Principle element of reconciliation is economic contentment - Prof G L Peiris

External Affairs Minister Prof. G L Peiris: Deputy Chairman of Committees I would like to ask, what are the policies that have yielded these results? The world has accepted justice, the fairness and the correctness of the foreign policy that has been pursued by this government. Once the hostilities were over, we concentrated very sharply on rehabilitation. We have a particular concept of rehabilitation. Every country has its own culture.

Yashushi Akashi, a distinguished representative of the Government of Japan who is in this country at this very moment, stated publicly yesterday, “there is no size that fits everybody. Solutions to be sustainable must be responsive to the cultural traditions of a particular country. Considerations of time, place and context are of overriding importance.” It is in that spirit that we have approached the task of reconciliation.

In our view, one of the principle elements of reconciliation is economic contentment. At the time the hostilities ended in May 2009, there were as many as 297,000 people who had been displaced by the conflict. Today, the number is less than 6,000.

Mr Akashi has handled these problems in the former Yugoslavia and in Cambodia. People of that stature are aware that in no country in the world, in a comparable situation, have these results been achieved within so short a period. I think not in a grudging spirit, not in the spirit that was demonstrated with great regret by the Leader of the Opposition this morning, not grudgingly, but generously, large heartedly and in a spirit of magnanimity, we must give credit where credit is due and these are substantial accomplishments which have been recognized by the world at large.

It is not easy, it is no mean achievement to get 15 countries one after the other getting up to express their emphatic and unreserved support for our country and some of these countries do not have very close relations with us. We do not have every day business to transact with those countries.

It is something that must kindle the flame of pride in our hearts and in our minds. It is not a matter that should elicit the kind of response and behaviour of the Leader of the Opposition, which the whole country painfully and tragically witnessed this morning.

That contrast very sharply with what we saw in Abdul city and in particular in Perth, Western Australia. I do not think that the people of this country appreciate politics of that kind.

Taking off a tie, a Commonwealth tie, what does that mean? Does it mean that the decision of 54 Heads of States can be reversed by such an empty gesture. It is a vacuous, empty and meaningless gesture and it is a sign of disrespect, not to the president, not to the government but to the people of Sri Lanka.

John Amaratunga: Why are you excited?

Prof G L Peiris: I am not excited. Chief Opposition Whip, I am not excited at all. I am expressing my deep sense of sadness at what occurred this morning.

Deputy Chairman of Committees, so this has been a multi-faceted and realistic approach to reconciliation and rehabilitation fully inconsonance with the cultural traditions that are entrenched in this country. We have focused on the things that cry out for attention.

Let us take Deputy Chairman of Committees a very moving ceremony. It must move the hearts of all of us whatever hatred, whatever envy we may have. One thousand eight hundred young people who were misguided, who took up arms against the State were fully exposed to programmes of vocational training that would enable them to have access to livelihoods and incomes, to hold their head high as Gurdev Rabindranath Tagore said, a mind free of fear and a head held high. These 1,800 young people are now in a position to go home, to their parents, to their families, to turn a new leaf, to start a new life and to enter the democratic mainstream in this country. President Rajapaksa presided over this very moving function. He was joined on that occasion by High Commissioners and Ambassadors of some of the most important countries in the world.

Together they distributed certificates which represent a passport to a new life, a life of contentment, a life of dignity, a life that can be usefully led not only for the benefit of the people concerned, but for the collective benefit of the Island, the county which we all love and cherish.

Mr Deputy Chairman of Committees, we have also been able to revive the electoral process in the Northern Province. That is the source from which all democratic rights and freedoms flow.

More than 600 Tamil speaking police officers have been appointed in the Northern Province, so that the people of that area, in the uncongenial environment of police stations, can transact business in their own tongue. Mr Deputy Chairman of Committees, this is a complete approach. No rehabilitation can be complete at all without a sharp focus on economic and social development.

The economy of the Northern Province is growing by more than 22 percent. More than 44,000 loans have been given by the State Banks to people in the Northern Province during the last few months. We have not by any means neglected accountability. It is a false charge that is made against us.

Mr Deputy Chairman of Committees, as I speak to you today, there is a complete census being carried out in the Northern Province, so that the truth can be ascertained. All these measures are being taken voluntarily and spontaneously by the Government of Sri Lanka. These are measures which are genuinely appreciated by the international community whatever the Leader of the Opposition may say about it.

I also want to tell you that we will work cordially and productively with the international community but we are not going to be dictated to by anybody. This country values its sense of pride. We will not allow anybody to take decisions for us, we will not allow anybody to impose upon us but in a spirit of goodwill of partnership we will reach out to the international community and I know that the vast majority of the 193 countries that are members of the United Nations, are reciprocating in the fullest measure that spirit of empathy and goodwill. Their friendship and their support is available to us as we emerge from the shadows of thirty long years of conflict as we face the challenges of the future with courage and confidence. I wish to make just one other point, Sir. I am conscious of the time constraint. I would like to say this. I would like to ask our critics who are talking of the weakness of our foreign relations, how do you account for the fact that something unprecedented is happening in our country today? I have never known a time when so many high profile visitors have come to the shores of our country within such a short period. Last week we had a high profile delegation from the Republic of South Africa.

We had probably the most powerful lady in the Arab World, Sheikha Lubna, Minister of Foreign Trade of the United Arab Emirates. We had Yasushi Akashi, the Special Representative of the Government of Japan. In a few days time we will be welcoming to this country the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister of Qatar. Two days ago, we welcomed a distinguished Member of the European Parliament. In four days time, we will be receiving another delegation - an all-party delegation - of the European Parliament from Brussels. Two days after that, we will be receiving in this country a delegation from the Parliament of Australia. Everyday we are meeting people from foreign countries; we are engaging in discussions with them. There has never been - I say in all sincerity and this is a verifiable fact - such an influx of people representing these capitals coming to this country to ask us what they can do, expressing appreciation of the efforts that are being made by this Government for the betterment of conditions in this country. The President of Vietnam was here a few weeks ago. He did not come empty handed. He came with some of the most important business leaders in Vietnam. They met the Chambers of Commerce here and a series of agreements were entered into. So, that is the truth which we must face. We cannot live in a world of make believe, jealousy, envy, hatred and acrimony. These are the facts which stare us in the face.

Deputy Chairman of Committees: Order, please! Hon. Minister, you have to wind up now.

Prof G.L. Peiris: Yes, I am just about to conclude. I say that we have confidence in ourselves. We have a convincing story to tell. We do not need to embroider. We only need to place the unvarnished facts before the bar of world opinion. It is that which has brought about this singular success for our country and in all humility, I ask my good Friend, the Chief Opposition Whip, to join with us in a spirit of solidarity. Let us all work together. Let us seize this moment which has arrived after 30 long years and let us in a large-hearted and generous spirit work together to ensure for our country a stable and a prosperous future.

‘Janasaviya was initiated to address rising poverty line’

Sandasen MARASINGHE, Irangika RANGE and Disna MUDALIGE

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody 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 the Appropriation Bill 2012.

The budget, a tape record of the previous budget

Kabir Hasheem (UNP): As public representatives, we have a duty to analyse how this budget affects the public. This year’s budget was a tape recorded budget of last year’s. The same promises given in the previous year’s budget had been repeated.

We have several issues regarding the manner in which the Rupee had been devalued. The Governor of the Central Bank had previously stated that foreign reserves of the country amounts to 8 billion dollars and therefore there was no problem with regard to foreign reserves whatsoever.

I also wonder whether the Central Bank had started to sell gold reserves. The members of this House should be educated as to the decisions of the Central Bank with regard to gold reserves.

The main policy of the neo liberal economy has been the opening of capital accounts and current accounts. Even though the current account had been opened during previous occasions, past regimes had not opened the capital accounts. However, the present regime has decided to open the capital account too. So who is following neo liberal policies in reality?

Even though the UNP is frequently criticized for following neo liberal economic policies, the UNP has not practised neo liberalism in reality.

Deputy Chairman of Committees Chandrakumar Murugesu takes the Chair

Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister W D J Seneviratne: During the period of 1989, 40 percent of the population in the country had been below the poverty line. Then the ‘Janasaviya’ had been initiated to address the rising poverty line during that period.

MP Kabir Hasheem stated that the government had not carried out what it said. If we take the Mawanella district which MP Hasheem represents for example, he may witness that all roads are being renovated, while highways are being carpeted. Development takesplace in every district likewise. This kind of all inclusive development had not occurred in the country under any past regime.

About 85 percent of the population has electricity connections today. We have targeted to supply electricity to every household by the end of 2012.

Now there is an uninterrupted power supply. We could construct Kerawalapitiya, Norochchole and Upper Kotmale power plants. The national grid has been strengthened with the contributions of these plants.

Today our country is self-sufficient in rice. Our country has been self-sufficient in rice since the last 3 years. This is because of the facilitation and promotion of agriculture by the government. The government has extended its full support towards the farmers.

The cadre of public servants have increased to 1.3 million in the country. This government has looked into their needs and the minimum wage level of a public servant has been increased to Rs 11,630. This government has granted salary hikes that exceed Rs 2,500 from the previous two budgets.

Mavai Senathirajah (TNA): We would like to point out the mistakes of the present regime. The main reason for the deterioration of the country had been the ethnic conflict.

The policies followed for the past 60 years had helped this problem. The sovereignty of the Tamil community has not been accepted by Sri Lankan successive governments. The rights and privileges of the Tamil community should be recognized.

Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Geethanjana Gunawardena: The budget presented by the President in his capacity as Finance and Planning Minister, is a victory of the people in the county.

The Mahinda Chintanaya’ has stood against privatization. This government could prevent the privatization of Oil, Air and Ports and also could give a new lease of life to farmers and cultivators.

Now the people have new hopes of development aftermath of the victory over terrorism.

Now we will face successfully the challenge of development and enjoy the benefits of development equally by all, including the rural areas.

Our government could reduce the unemployment rate to 5 percent from 8 percent in 2009. The life expectancy in 75 years, while the literacy rate is 91.4 percent.

The percapita income has doubled compared to the corresponding amount in 2005. Now the per capita income is US Dollars 2,800. Funds have been allocated to encourage home gardens to overcome the food crisis. The small and medium enterprises have been strengthened, while tourism is promoted. These measures have contributed to maintain the economic development rate at 8 percent.

The public and the private sector have a great responsibility to help in the development of the country as drafted in the budget proposals of 2012. We have to appreciate the wide door that has been opened by this budget proposals to provide relief to all sectors, including farmers and enterprises and provisions proposed to develop research, cultivation, education, etc.

We have to promote a mechanism that would unite all communities and move forward for development, but not to promote envy among communities.

This budget has catered to the needs of the govt and its members

Anura Kumara Dissanayake (DNA): This budget is full of false data. The poverty rate and the unemployment rate had not been reduced.

There are 40,000 graduates and 400,000 youths without job opportunities. Then how could the unemployment rate be reduced?

People expected that prices of essential items would have gone down. But nothing has been mentioned in this regard.

Therefore this budget had failed to cater to the needs of the common man. Though 29,000 houses and 13,000 houses have been completely destroyed during the war in Kilinochchi and Vavuniya respectively, only 5,000 new houses in Kilinochchi and 4,000 new houses in Vavuniya had been constructed so far. Needs of the people in the North and East who suffered immensely during the war should have been fulfilled by the government. They need permanent houses, electricity, water and job opportunities.

But non of their requirements had been catered to by this budget.

It had been only Rs 3,200 million that had been allocated to provide relief to the common man. This is a budget that had catered to the needs of the government and its members.

Mohan Lal Grero (UNP): Facilities of schools islandwide, should be upgraded. Society today is full of malpractices. We need to create a society with human qualities. Country’s education should direct the future generation on the correct path. It is essential to formulate national policy to provide quality education.

This budget has allocated sufficient funds for education, compared to the previous year’s budget.

TNA working for petty political gains and not for people

Traditional Industries and small Enterprise Development Minister Douglas Devananda: I express my gratitude to President Mahinda Rajapaksa for speaking a few words in the Tamil Language at the UN meeting. This was an act that none other previous leaders of the country had done. This is a good example.

I continuously requested the TNA to avoid from supporting the military conflict of the LTTE. I observed that the rights of the Tamil people can only be gained by political discussions.

The problems of the Tamil people should not be politically exploited. The TNA MPs have been enjoying foreign tours and many other benefits in the name of the ethnic problems in Sri Lanka.

Deputy Chairman of Committees Chandrakumar Murugesu takes the Chair

Douglas Devananda (Continues) The Tamil people in Sri Lanka, have gained nothing from the TNA. The war in the country after the Indo-Lanka agreement, had hampered the country’s economic growth.

With the brave leadership of the President, barriers had been removed and there is a steady political leadership in the country today. The country has a better future under his leadership. The TNA is working for petty political gains and not on behalf of the people.

Higher Education Minister S B Dissanayeke: Some members from the Opposition expressed doubts on statistics.

These statistics presented by the Central Bank and Department of Census and Statistics have been compiled according to internationally recognized criteria. The criteria cannot be changed according to the will of a single country. The country had shown many positive signs. The poverty rate is declining and the number of people who are living in shanties are gradually declining. A larger percentage of the country’s population has the access to safe drinking water.

The gross domestic product of the country has gradually increased since the year 2005. These statistics prove that Sri Lanka is heading towards a better future and is attaining development gradually.

The debt rate of the country had been declining year by year, during the regime of President Rajapaksa. Nobody can claim that these figures are wrong.

The ethnic problem in the North should be handled in a very sensitive manner. Now there is no war in this region. People in the Northern Province are enjoying their freedom and Tamil leaders are able to approach this region without fear.

A H M Azwer takes the Chair

Ports and Highways Deputy Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena: When a budget is presented, the dignity of the House should be preserved. The Opposition MPs started protesting even without being aware of the contents of the budget when the President commenced his budget speech. They behaved in an indisciplined manner.

All budgets that were presented by President Rajapaksa were interconnected and directs to the same vision. It directs the country gradually towards prosperity. This budget has provided incentives and encouragement to the artistes in the country.

Senior artistes have been given various benefits from these budget proposals.

Foreign Employment and Welfare Minister Dilan Perera: This budget caters to the needs of every segment of the country. It has 100 very valuable proposals.

The Opposition’s rain criticism had been that the salary increment of public servants had not been adequate.

What government would not grant a five digit increment if it could do so without putting the burden on others. This government under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, only increased the minimum salary of public servants to a five digit salary.

With the increment of salaries through this budget, an office assistant would receive an increment Rs. 1,248 to Rs. 1,700.

A graduate public servant would receive an increment of Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 2,600. An executive would receive an increment from Rs. 2,200 to Rs. 5,000.

But Opposition members who supported the Regaining Sri Lanka policy, were agitating the increment was insufficient. Even Eran Wickramaratne who supported for stopping of pensions for public servants, say that salaries were insufficient.

On the other hand, Mangala Samaraweera who accused the UNP of stoning the houses of judges, in this very House, says that the UNP stood for an independence Judiciary today.

Mangala had some time back spent a sum of Rs. 120 million to construct his office at the harbour. Mangala who also said that Ranil Wickremesinghe was incapable, now says that Ranil was the only capable person.

TNA members today speak in favours of Sarath Fonseka who said earlier that the Tamils and Muslims were second grade citizens of the country. They have now accepted that it was true.

Joseph Michael Perera said when he was the Chief Opposition Whip that Sarath Fonseka was responsible for many crimes and abductions, now says otherwise. All these persons have been changed under this government. To be continued