Budget 2012

‘Govt aware that religious background is necessary for spiritual development’

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 Financial Heads of the Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs, Culture, Arts and Ports and Highways, for debate during the committee stage of the Budget 2012.

$ 81.3m spent to reconstruct Medawachchiya -Madhu railway line

The railway line from Medawachchiya railway station to Madhu is being reconstructed spending about US$ 81.3 million, stated an answer tabled by Transport Deputy Minister Rohana Dissanayake in Parliament yesterday.

It stated that the length of the railway line is 43km. Attention has been given to complete its construction expeditiously.

It stated that an MoU was signed between the Indian Ircon Company and the Presidential Task Force following diplomatic discussions with the Indian government.

It added that the money spent on the construction is obtained through a loan for an interest rate of three percent for five to 20 years.

It stated that with the end of the war, reconstruction work on physical resources in destroyed Northern and Eastern areas is now progressing rapidly.

The answer was tabled in response to a question raised by DNA MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

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Dy Speaker to give ruling on Pathirana matter

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody said yesterday that he would direct the request made as to whether parliamentary privileges of UNP MP Buddhika Pathirana had been violated by preventing him by the UNP to attend the UNP Parliamentary Group meeting, to Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa.

Weerakkody made this announcement when UPFA MP A.H.M. Azwer stated that Pathirana had been prevented by the UNP from attending the UNP Parliamentary Group meeting on Thursday evening.

He added that the meeting was held at the Parliamentary complex.

Azwer also requested that an investigation should be held in this connection.

The Deputy Speaker said that he would direct the request to Speaker Rajapaksa.

At this stage, Pathirana stated that he could solve his problems on his own as he was a youth brought up in a rural area.

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LECO earns Rs. 1b profit

Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said yesterday that Lanka Electricity Company Pvt. Ltd. (LECO) has earned profit of Rs. 1 billion as at October this year.

Minister Ranawaka made this observation in Parliament in response to a question by UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake.

The minister said that the Ceylon Electricity Board is not meant for commercial purposes, but to provide a service.

He added that LECO has been set up for commercial purposes.

The minister also said that shares of LECO is owned by the CEB, the Treasury, UDA, the Municipal Councils of Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte and Peliyagoda and the Provincial Councils of Maharagama and Kotikawatta Mullariyawa.

He said that LECO is devided into 114.5 million shares each worth Rs. 10.

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Govt not purchasing private banks shares - Gitanjana

The government is not engaged in the process of purchasing shares of private banks utilizing funds managed by the Central Bank, Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Gitanjana Gunawardena said in Parliament yesterday.

Responding to a question raised by UNP MP Buddhika Pathirana, the deputy minister observed that the board of directors of licensed banks are appointed according to proposals approved at general meetings of shareholders of the respective banks and these appointments are done adhering to existing laws and procedures.

The deputy minister answering a supplementary question of Parthirana, said that the EPF is invested in private banks and the amount in this fund will be Rs 1,000 billion by the end of this year.

The deputy minister said that this money is deposited in Commercial Bank, Sampath Bank, DFCC Bank and NDB Bank and the Central Bank ensures the security of the money in this fund.

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Private sector interested in investing in H’tota harbour - Namal

The private sector has shown an interest to invest Rs one billion in the Hambantota harbour, Namal Rajapaka MP said in Parliament yesterday.

Participating in the third reading stage debate on budget 2012, the MP said that the first phase of the harbour cost around US $ 420 million.

The project will create around 60,000 job opportunities. All the recruitments will be made available only for trained labour, he said.

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Rs 6.7 m income earned from Southern Expressway - Kothelawala

Ports and Highways Deputy Minister Nirmala Kothalawala said yesterday that a Rs 6.7 million income has been earned from the Southern Expressway during the last five days.

The deputy minister made this observation in Parliament joining in the Committee Stage debate on the Appropriation Bill under the Ports and Highways Finance Head.

Kothalawala said that 25,000 vehicles have used the Expressway during the past five days, after it was opened to travel from Colombo to Pinnaduwa in Galle. The deputy minister said that a private-public transport will commence soon for the public to get another share of this development project.

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We admire PM’s capacity to work and his vision

Gamini Jayawickrema Perera (UNP): We celebrate the 2600th Sambuddhatva Jayanthi this year and I am very happy that Prime Minister D M Jayaratne had been assigned the portfolio of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs. We admire his capacity to work and also the vision he upholds.

I am speaking on behalf of all religions and not only on behalf of one religion. It is of paramount importance that we promote the religious background in the country for the well-being of all people.

Today temples are day by day closing down. Up to March 2011, 2016 temples have closed down. The number of Dhamma schools in the country are gradually decreasing. This is a pathetic situation. Children are attending tuition classes on Sundays without attending Dhamma schools.

Treasure hunters hunting for treasures in historic temple premises have increased. Please impose strict laws to prevent these wrong doings. These are valuable and historical statues of our country.

Eventhough rainfall continues for two hours, the Somawathiya sacred premises goes under water. This religious premises should be conserved properly.

Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs Deputy Minister MKDS Gunawardena: The President is very enthusiastic concerning this subject. He has given prominence for the protection of Buddhism among many other tasks. We are aware of the current situation in Somawathiya. We are now constructing the road to Seruvila, bearing a heavy cost.

This government is fully aware that a religious background is necessary for spiritual development.

Today a Hindu devotee in the South can reach the Koneshwaram or Munneshwaram Kovil. Even a Hindu devotee in the North can worship Kovils in Puttalam or any other region in the country. There are over 42,000 Buddhist temples in the country. There is a considerable number of kovils and 1,982 Islamic mosques and over 1,700 Christian churches. We have distributed adequate funds to maintain these religious places.

Deputy Chairman of Committees takes the chair.

S Yogeswaran (TNA): There have been obstructions to conduct daily poojas in Hindu Kovils. This is a deprivation of our human rights. We request the government to allow Tamil people to lead their day to day life without unnecessary disturbances.

About 1,700 religious places have been destroyed due to the war. The allocations for renovation of these religious sites have been handed over to the Pradeshiya Sabhas and Grama Niladhari offices.

However, if the central government remits Rs 100,000 for one religious place, only a sum of Rs 75,000 would be allotted to religious places. Therefore I request the government to grant this money directly to the respective religious places.

V S Radhakrishnan (UPFA): Language is the main cause which had generated problems and clashes among communities in the country. This fact had been common to many other countries in the world. Sri Lanka has four basic religions. The government has placed equal attention and importance to each of them. The President had endeavoured to establish interconnectedness and harmony among religions in Sri Lanka.

The government has also paid attention to allocate grantes for historic temples, kovils, mosques and churches scattered throughout the island, understanding the importance of these sites.

The main task of a religion is to adapt the thinking patterns and visions of the devotees.

Dayasiri Jayasekera (UNP): In a background when we celebrate the 2600th Sambuddhatva Jayanthi, the allocation for the Buddha Sasana and religious affairs has been inadequate.

The appointment of the Chief Monk of the Sri Pada temple had created numerous problems. When the election of this particular post had been approaching, there had been political intervention. This should not happen. This is a bad example.

There are disputes among Buddhist monks. Buddhism cannot be preserved by harassing Buddhist monks.

Culture and Arts Minister T B Ekanayake: The revival that we were able to trigger in the sphere of culture and Arts of Sri Lanka, had been a resounding victory owing to the Mahinda Chinthana policy programme. Our objective was to use domestic culture and Arts for the interest of the ordinary masses.

The Literary Arts Award ceremony and other such ceremonies, which promote all aspects of the arts programmes that encourage artistes, printing and distribution of books, promotion of library services, construction of a National Theratre in Colombo, commencement of construction work of the National Art Academy in Kundasale, Tourist Cultural Centre and Tsunami Research Centre at Hikkaduwa, renovation and opening of the Tower Hall Theater, commencement of construction works of many Divisional Cultural Centres, taking measures to bring forward and promote hidden arts such as ‘Angampora’, a system of ancient Matial Art were some of the major feats we could achieve during the period under review.

After the establishment of peace in this country under the able leadership of the President, a great revival had been recorded in the sphere of arts.

We have targeted for the supply of diverse cultural services, the building of a disciplined society, conservation of our national heritage and setting up of cultural clubs. We are in the process of building a disciplined society, promoting aesthetic skills of children and bringing them up to international standards by providing them with opportunities to gain experience at dancing festivals in foreign countries.

Uvais Farook (UPFA): The government has created a security fund to protect and renovate the Museum. A sum of Rs 300 billion has been allocated in this regard. Arrangements have been made to improve the cultural affairs of all communities. Special attention had been made to renovate religious places destroyed by the war.

The government should take action to simplify the process of sending pilgrims to Macca.

Jayantha Ketagoda (DNA): The allocations made for cultures and the arts through this budget has not been sufficient.

This government has treated the minority in a step motherly attitude. The government has not taken any fruitful steps for the well-being of artistes.

Malini Fonseka (UPFA): Today people in this country live in peace after a period of 30 years. There is a revival in cinema, tele dramas and stage dramas. The people need enjoyment and entertainment. That is why the government has given special attention to provide facilities to develop arts and culture.

Maximum relief have been provided to artistes. A special fund has been created to provide financial assistance for their well-being.

The government is in the process of formulating a pension scheme for them. We need a mechanism to provide assistance for the production of quality films. The cinama industry has been revived today. It is commendable the State’s decision to provide interest free-loans for artistes to purchase vehicles.

Joseph Micheal Perera (UNP): If the country is so peaceful, how are child abuses, drugs and underworld activities taking place? The government first of all should make arrangements to create religious harmony. We have a responsibility to create a virtuous society.

Today youth have no faith in their religion and they do not visit religious places. Every child whatever religion he or she belongs to, should improve discipline from their childhood.

Buddha Sasana Ministry funds maintenance of temples in financial difficulties

Prime Minister D M Jayaratne: A number of programmes have been implemented by the Ministry of Buddhasasana and Religious Affairs to build a society with moral values by activating the policies and programmes mentioned in the ‘Mahinda Chinthanaya’.

The ‘Punyagrama’ programme is being implemented throughout the country, centered around temples with the object of producing a society filled with moral values. This project educates the priests and laymen of their task of producing a society which protects moral values by connecting the temple and the village together and there by spearheading to utilize the younger generation of the country.

The ministry grants financial aid to maintain temples which face severe financial difficulties. The President very often, emphasizes the need to fulfil the requirements of producing a country with developed citizens filled with social and moral values. We perform a tremendous task to achieve this object.

Tissa Attanayake (UNP): The income earned by the Colombo Port had been needed to maintain the other ports in the country. The government so far had failed to achieve the targets that had been expected. According to the COPE reports, the Ports Authority was running at a loss.

‘For countries such SL, ports are very important’

Namal Rajapaksa: For whichever country in the world a developed road network has been a necessity and for a country like Sri Lanka, ports are very important for economic development. In the recent past, these projects were being initiated by this government under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. We will develop many other roads such as the A-32.

Our people have spoken about expressways. But only this government was able to make it a reality.

On the other hand, we have planned to develop a railway track from Beliatta to Kataragama and from Kataragama to Arugambe, parallel to this expressway. We will extend this expressway to other areas of the country.

We are developing ports. Many politicians have spoken of constructing a harbour in Hambantota. But it was only our government that was able to make it a reality.

The Opposition has made this harbour a talking point. But just with the construction of a harbour, ships are not entering the harbour.

But we have spent only about US$ 420 million. But the private sector had agreed to invest a sum of one billion US dollars around the harbour.

So I request the Opposition not to be jealous of our achievements. Owing to this, a large number of employment opportunities have been created.

We will give them to the youths, don’t be jealous and speak with malicious intentions. Don’t get envious. We will listen to the young members of the opposition.

We are going to make Sri Lanka a developed country. So I request all members to join hands with us.

Harin Fernando (UNP): We understand that the harbour is very significant to the economy of a country. It will support to bridge the budget deficit. But our Hambantota harbour has not been successful.

The Wallapadam harbour in India is only 35 KM away from our shores. There are challenges before us. There should be a strategy to get down the ships passing our country to our harbours. But there is no BA Chart for the Hambantota Harbour. The NARA had been handed over to draft the chart.

T.B. Ekanayake: No government so far has allocated funds to provincial councils to construct roads. But President Mahinda Rajapaksa did so, considering the importance of roads. Even when operations were in progress, the roads too were developed. Now roads are being rapidly developed in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. Our government also took measures to concrete the roads in rural areas, which has proved successful.

It is very important to develop the road network and electricity provisions to develop a nation and this government is on track.

We have constructed the expressway to Pinnaduwa from Colombo. We could cut short the 3 hours travel to 45 minutes as a result. So the time saved, could be for progressive works.

We also could assist to construct the road network in Maldive islands as well.

A H M Azwar takes the Chair

Ajith Kumara (DNA): The road system in the country is of paramount importance for the development of a country. There is no doubt about it. However, that is not the one and only priority in the country today.

Allocations for the plantation sector have been curtailed. Allocations for the fishery sector too has been curtailed. The development of the country is not balanced.

Only a meagre sum of money had been allocated for health and education sectors. Just expressways and highways are not sufficient for the country. More priority should be given to education of our people than beautiful roads.

Livestock and Rural Community Development Deputy Minister H R Mithrapala: Ajith Kumara MP spoke with malice and hatred. The Opposition has no slogan today. As soon as a harbour is constructed, ships will not come.

It takes time for the world to come to know about it. These are long-term investments.

The Opposition is presenting inaccurate statistics and misinterprets them. In my electorate in Kegalle, 10 massive bridges have been constructed and we are grateful to the President for facilitating financial provisions for them.

We request the Opposition to follow MP Grero, if they are unable to move forward as a party. Join us and let’s strengthen the hands of the President to usher in prosperity to the country.

Dayasiri Jayasekera (UNP): Why is it that the Hambantota Port does not operate after its opening on November 18 last year? Even a year has passed. The main problem is the rock on the seabed in the harbour. Politicians may resort to various false claims on this issue, but it had been reported that the length of the existing rock is 50 m while the width is 70 m. This is a huge rock.

Why does the government not accept reality? Now the first phase of the harbour has been completed, but we have been unable to settle the debt obtained for that phase. I ask the government when the second phase of the harbour will be completed? We won’t be able to earn profits from this harbour for another 10 years.

Janaka Vakkumbura (UPFA): A number of roads in both urban and rural areas have been constructed and carpetted under the ‘Maga Neguma’. It has paved the way for farmers in villages to transport their crops to towns. The travel time of the people too had been reduced.

The country is now marching towards development. New harbours, fisheries harbours and expressways are being constructed.

Definitely, we would be able to make Sri Lanka the best naval hub in the region.

Child Development and Women’s Affairs Deputy Minister M I A M Hisbullah: A number of roads and bridges that had been destroyed due to the terrorist activities, have been reconstucted in the East. Farmers have opportunities to transport their agricultural products to markets now.

Construction work on the Oluvil Harbour will be completed shortly. This will benefit the fishermen in the east immensely. The entire Eastern Province has been benefited. Livelihoods of the people have been improved.

Ravi Karunanayake (UNP): It is a necessasity to increase the competitiveness of harbours. Then only can we earn profits, through container operations. First of all, we must increase the productivity of operations in harbours. Today harbours around the country have incurred losses due to the heavy expenditure. Why is the government not developing the Trincomalee Harbour? Why is it that funds have been invested only for the Hambantota Harbour? It is useless if ships are not arriving at the Humbantota harbour.

Public Relations Minister Mervin Silva: The opposition never praised the development work initiated by the government. Is it wrong to establish a harbour in Hambantota? Is it wrong setting up harbours in Trincomale and Kankesanturai?

It is President Mahinda Rajspaksa who gave leadership to wipe out terrorism. Now the entire country is enjoying peace and harmony. Is it wrong?

Sujeewa Senasinghe (UNP): Today, we speak of ports and highways. When we speak of ports, we cannot forget about the Hambantota harbour. We, the UNP always stated that there was a rock. But the harbour was constructed. But it had not been successful, ships are not arriving. But I would like to say that the UNP as the Opposition, would support if you take constructive measures for the Hambantota harbour to make it profit making.

Foreign Employment and Welfare Minister Dilan Perera: Today, the UNP did not debate on the budget, but it seemed they had been holding a speech contest between the two groups in the UNP.

Most of those who criticised the Hambantota harbour, did it with malicious intentions. What is the closest city to the Naval Silk Route? Hambantota. So what has been the problem in constructing a harbour in Hambantota? The UNP wanted to construct it. The JVP also wanted to do it. But they were unable to do so.

But when President Mahinda Rajapaksa constructed it, it is wrong. When the President defeated terrorism, the UNP says he is wrong. The UNP says he should be sent to the International War Tribunal.

When President constructed five harbours, he is wrong. Where on earth could one find that rocks were not available in the seabed?

Even the Colombo harbour had rocks in its seabed. The UNP’s vision is that everything should be constructed in Colombo.

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody takes the Chair.

Ports Authority Chairman Dr Wickrema is a youth who came from a rural area. He studied in China, obtained a degree then a doctorate. His performances were so great that the UNP did not appreciate it because he came from a rural area. But if it was done by one from their own class, Ravi Karunanayake and other UNPers would have appreciated it.

We constructed the Oluvil harbour. The DANIDA allocated money only for the Oluvil harbour. So, we cannot reserve that money for some other purpose. Today, to be a leader you should have inspirational qualities. For that, you should have imagination, innovation and implementation. All these qualities are imbedded in President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Minister Basil Rajapaksa.

Chandrakumar Murugesu (UPFA): For the rapid development that is pursued by this government, the renovation and construction of the road system in the country is very crucial. Therefore a large sum of money had been allocated for this sector. The first expressway of the country that was opened recently and its construction work upto Matara is going on.

Over Rs 65,000 million from local and foreign funds are being utilized for the renovation of highways in the country.

The roads in the Northern and Eastern provinces too, are being renovated now after the conclusion of war. The Sangupitty bridge has been constructed which is a dream come true for the people in this region.

Ports and Highways Deputy Minister Nirmala Kothalawala: Even though the Opposition directed several criticisms at the government, there is no single Opposition MP to listen to replies given to them.

First I express my gratitude to the President for allocating a massive sum of money after defence, for the development of the transport sector in the country.

One MP from the opposition said that the foundation stone laid for the expressway in Kottawa is missing. This foundation stone had been laid by the President in 2005 and he is the leader who initiated this massive project as he came forward to eliminate terrorism. This foundation stone has been temporarily removed to facilitate the construction work and soons after it is completed, it would be placed at the same spot.

Sujeewa Senasinghe MP asked whether buses will be deployed on this expressway?

There is no doubt about this fact and a public transport service will be started on this expressway for the ordinary public.

There was only one boat to reach the Delf island. We replaced a ship which has space for 100 passengers at a time to this sea route.

We have taken steps to renovate 32 roads in the north. We have commenced work on them with the coordination of the Economic Development Ministry.

Even MP Dayasiri admitted that this government had constructed roads in Hambantota at a cost of Rs 1.2 billion. So even the Opposition MPs had witnessed the development that had taken place in the country.

The road to Somawatiya had also been constructed by the present regime under the guidance of President Rajapaksa.

The ‘Maga Neguma’ is supporting to develop roads in rural villages.

Ports and Highways Deputy Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena: Throughout the debate on the financial head of ports and highways, the Opposition spoke about the Hambantota Port. Even though MP Dayasiri attempted to show that the Hambantota Port had been unsuccessful, it is the UNP which first attempted to sign an agreement to construct this port. I request MP Dayasiri and others who criticize it to accompany me on the day we open the storage complexes in the Hambantota Port premises. MP Dayasiri also said that houses in Mirijjawila had been damaged when the rock in the harbour was blasted. I ask him why no house had been damaged when constructions of the second phase is being carried out? There is a 14 storeyed building nearby this section of the harbour. So these are false allegations.

The Financial Heads were approved without amendments.

The House was adjourned until 9.30 am today.