PARLIAMENT

Budget 2012:

It's our duty to improve foreign relations in a spirit of fellowship - Minister Dilan Perera

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 Finance Heads on External Affairs, Sports and Youth Affairs and Skills Development, during the committee stage of the debate of the Appropriation Bill 2012.

Lakshman Kiriella (UNP): We have been repeatedly assured by the government that it had successfully countered the accusations of the International Community after the war. We see that the External Affairs Minister and Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe have been frequently expressing their views at international platforms on the country's position over the accusations directed to us after the war.

Minister Samarasinghe often speaks about a human rights action plan. However, I would wish to request him to provide us with this document since we have been unable to find it. We are glad that the LLRC report had been released. The government says that it would implement the recommendations in the LLRC. However, the government still had not implemented a single recommendation provided in the interim report submitted by the LLRC sometime back.

Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Minister Dilan Perera: My ministerial portfolio has been a part of the External Affairs Ministry until last year, but now it is a separate ministry.

As a country, we have to enter into the circles of different international communities, to reach out to countries that we have not yet initiated relations. Once we have entered their circles, it is our duty to improve our relations with a spirit of friendship, fellowship, partnership.

We are opening the Performing Arts Theatre tomorrow, built with a Chinese grant of Rs 3 billion. The country's first ever expressway was constructed with Japanese support.

During the recent past, the country experienced visits of delegations from many countries. This is because of the intimate relationship that we have maintained with those countries. Sri Lanka has friends throughout the world.

Sri Lanka will be hosting the Commonwealth Conference next time. Eventhough the UNP does not condole this opportunity, 54 countries have stood by us to secure this chance.

R. Sampanthan (TNA): The foreign policy of a country must be in accordance with its national interest. This is fundamental. Today we have to undertake an enormous effort to defend the country. Unfortunately, we have antagonised and alienated several liberal democracies which had been once our friends who respected us.

Some countries including India, supported Sri Lanka to defeat the LTTE. The government should be grateful of this fact.

Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Neomal Perera: During MP Ravi Karunanayake's speech, he spoke of foreigners. But I would like to recall that there was a foreign adviser to the UNP during Ranil Wickremesinghe's regime. Now we are acting in accordance to the Mahinda Chintanaya. We have been maintaining a good foreign policy.

The President has also stated that our relationship with African countries, South and Salvador have not been adequate and we have to strengthen them. It had been the view of our government. We could obtain the GSP Plus facility once again until the end of 2013. We have to appreciate Shavendra Silva's efforts to counter the Channel 4 video footage.

Very recently, when the President visited Australia, an LTTEer had filed a case before a court in Australia. But those attempts had failed to damage the image of our country. We were even able to attract the attention of the Prime Minister of Australia.

We were able to enter into 35 agreements with 14 countries very recently. Around 75,000 tourists have arrived in Sri Lanka. We hope to increase this number to 950,000 next year.

The world famous The National Geographic magazine which has published a report stating that Sri Lanka is among the 6 top countries suitable for tourism. That is a victory to our nation.

Sajin de Vas Gunawardena (UPFA): The Opposition member said that we are talking about the President. Yes, we are very proudly talking of him for what he had done to Sri Lanka.

When we consider the speech of R Sampanthan, I wish to say that he was walking on a tight rope and is about to fall.

Sampanthan spoke of the Darusman Report, where Chapter 52 says that 4,000 people had been interviewed. But their identities have not been divulged. But they say that Sri Lanka should be crucified. Then what is the accountability of the statements made by unidentified persons? You don't need to go to the ICC or Amnesty International to solve our problems.

The United Nations Human Rights Commissioner is not our President. We have to solve our problems. We are a sovereign state. We are attempting to strengthen our relationships with the African countries, Latin American countries and the Eastern European countries.

External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris: MP Lakshman Kiriella, said our foreign policy had not been acceptable and R Sampanthan went further by criticizing us. Ravi Karunanayake spoke of a yardstick to evaluate our foreign policy. Sampanthan's speech had not been a balanced speech.

When we went to Geneva in September along with the President amidst many rumours which said that moves will be made against us. One country made a proposal against us. We spoke to the representatives of 31 countries.

I spoke to the Foreign Minister of the said country that moved the resolution against us. He withdrew the resolution as nobody supported it. Thereafter in October the Commonwealth conference was held in Perth in Australia. There was rumours that a problem would be created against Sri Lanka. One foreign minister said that they were sick of the manner in which Sri Lanka was being bullied. He personally said it to me.

Out of the 54 countries only one country attempted to move a resolution against Sri Lanka. But 15 countries stood against that country. This had been the result of the foreign policy we had maintained. R. Sampanthan spoke of three proposals, one being the need for United Nations presence. He also stated that Sri Lanka needed RTP in Sri Lanka.

According to it, foreign countries could intervene to the internal matters of Sri Lanka. We as the government, condemn his proposal.

We condemn and reject all his proposals as a government. Sri Lanka does not need international policemen to solve our internal problems. R. Sampanthan said we did not accept the Darusman Report. They prepared the report by taking a number of persons whose identity had been unknown to Sampanthan or me. The report did not divulge their identity. It is a breach of natural justice. So we request the world not to accept it.

R. Sampanthan also stated that we had breached international agreements.

The Opposition Leader had been unaware of his tie in the House. Are these important to our people? Are these political issues? These incidents seem to have been happening in another planet.

Qatar's Prime Minister was in Sri Lanka yesterday. There are 7 countries attached to the Gulf Corporation Council. We will receive a sum of US$ 1,000 million as an investment. The Chinese Deputy Prime Minister is in Sri Lanka, at present. We are to receive a long felt need in the form of artists from China tomorrow. We are to enter into an agreement tomorrow which would bring millions of US Dollars as investments to Sri Lanka.

The investments from Japan has increased with the visit of Japanese Special Envoy Yasusi Akashi.

I thank all officers, leaders of states and ambassadors that supported Sri Lanka.

Human Resources (Senior) Minister DEW Gunasekera: The facts brought up by R Sampanthan are not new ones. MP Kiriella stated that they would act against us at the United Nations' Council in March. The government has courage to face any allegation and take the country forward for the people.

R Sampanthan's attempts had been to say that conflicts commenced on November 18, 2005. No, that is not the truth. I don't like to recall the past at a time when we are attempting to reconciliate and unite.

The war commenced in 1983. Now we have defeated terrorism. We have launched many programmes for the reconciliation of the country and build up national unity. We have faced many challenges since we took over the government. In 2007, the food crisis, in 2008 the global economic crisis and in 2009 the fuel crisis, which we have faced.

Our foreign policy had been implemented properly by Minister Laxman Kadirgamar from 1994 to 2004. Thereafter, by Minister Rohitha Bogallagama and others. We have maintained a good foreign policy. That's the reason why we were able to reach these achievements.

The war had been initiated during the regime of late President J R Jayewardene in 1983. How many people were killed? The conflict did not initiate during the regime of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

During the period when the humanitarian war was in progress, the External Affairs Ministry countered international allegations properly. Now, we are in year 2011." The Asian region is directing the path to global economy.

There has never been such unity as today in the South Asian region. The Western countries are unable to tolerate it. That is the reason why they make various baseless allegations of human rights violations. Now powerful countries are not talking of the human rights violations by other powerful countries.

All powerful countries stand with us today, the countries in the South Asian region, Latin American countries, India, Russia, China etc. are with us today. Today the American dollar have been falling, while another dollar is raising its head from Asia. International communities are with us to protect our small country.

Ravi Karunanayake (UNP): This country is not the government's country, nor is it the UNP's country. This is our country. So the people have elected you not to act at your own will.

We, the UNP, can unite the Sinhala, Tamil and Muslims to come under one roof.

Gamini Jayawickrema Perera (UNP): The Cricket Board has been totally politicized. That was why it had incurred heavy losses today. Farmers undergo great hardships due to a rule imposed by the government for transporting vegetables and fruits in plastic containers.

Their agricultural products have been left for decay.

As a government, you must show consideration to the innocent farmers and pay them compensation, otherwise, farmers may resort to suicide. We know the pain of the farmers. You must take immediate action to have discussions and solve their problems.

Youth Affairs and Skills Development Deputy Minister Duminda Dissanayake: Today 84 percent of the youth population live in rural areas. The main reason for their unemployment, had been the lack of skills and practical knowledge. Most of them have passed their GCE O-L and A-L and confident that they are competent enough to obtain jobs.

We have planned to release 150,000 trained and skilled youths from vocational and skill training institutions by the end of this year. They will be able to find employment opportunities nationally and internationally.

We have decided to construct three vocational training centres in the North and East, and are in the process of formulating a national youth policy for the youth. We have made plans to conduct a United Nations Youth Assembly in Sri Lanka for the first time in our history. Youth Affairs have been given due place, while allocating massive sums of money by this budget.

Eran Wickremaratne (UNP): The sports medical divisions should be strengthened. You must take measures to appoint qualified doctors for these divisions. Allowances of the Sri Lankan cricketers and salaries of staff of the Cricket Board had not been paid yet.

The Cricket Board had collapsed as a result of appointing unsuitable persons to the board. These officials should be punished, while action been taken to eliminate corruption and malpractices in the Board.

Sanath Jayasuriya (UPFA): We as players have made the biggest sacrifice for cricket. We have not intervened in the internal administration of the Cricket Board. There are weaknesses and shortcomings in the Board. That was why an interim committee had been appointed to remedy this situation.

Our cricket team had been in a strong position in the world. Players should work for the victory of Sri Lanka despite their political differences.

Financial problems can occur in any institution. We must work together to aleviate problems and develop cricket.

S Vino (TNA): There have been vacancies in the National Youth Services Council offices in Vavuniya, Mullaithivu and Mannar. These vacancies should be filled considering the percentage of ethnic groups in these areas. Sometimes, even though interviews had been conducted, no person had been recruited to the vacant post. There is no sports ground in Mullaitivu. A new playground should be constructed in Vavuniya too.

Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Amaraweera: MP Vino thinks in a traditional manner. He had condemned a beauty contest that had been held in the North. Our aim is to promote various sports and entertainment activities in the country. Those regions in the North are no more controlled by the LTTE and MP Vino should keep it in mind. The youth in the North and South should enjoy equal freedom.

I also commend the cricket match that was organized between the Ministers and MPs.

This had been a good example to the country, while it provided a platform for solidarity between the government and opposition MPs without clashing with each other for political gains.

The government had provided financial allocations to construct nine provincial level playgrounds, 25 district level grounds and 324 regional level grounds. There are over 50 sports societies and among them around 40 have been active. But these societies have not reached village level satisfactorily.

Arjuna Ranatunga (DNA): I have always educated the House concerning the persisting problems and future challenges faced by the sports sector. However, attention of the relevant authorities had not been directed to them. This is an unfortunate situation. It had been after 1996, that cricket started facing numerous problems. This had happened with the influx of money due to the development of cricket. It went into the hands of several businessmen in the end.

The popularity and glory of cricket had increased since 1996, and as a result, cricket got involved with money.

Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage: It is the first time in history that President had provided a large number of benefits to the sports sector during his previous budget. I assumed duties of the Sports Ministry when the sports sector had dropped to an all time low and we have not been able to win a single medal at the Asian Games.

There had been no national policy with regard to sports. We have formulated a policy and now it had been sent to the Cabinet for approval.

I wish to present the Sports National Policy to Parliament by the end of January. Regulations will be amended by this move.

We have granted financial allocations to construct nine provincial sports grounds with all facilities, while constructing 25 district level grounds and 314 grounds in each DSD. These will help improve the sports sector in villages.

There are 52 sports associations and we have now categorized them into groups, and facilities would be provided for sportspersons to reach international levels. Most of the sports persons who had been convicted for the use of banned substances, used them deliberately. These sportspersons should be punished for the well-being of this sector. We hope to impose a new law to impose a life time ban on those who use banned substances.

We will also introduce an ID system for the coaches, where no coach can practise without this ID thereafter.

We also have recruited 13 Tamil persons from the Northern Province to fill in the vacant posts of sports officials within the Northern and Eastern Provinces. We are now renovating the Duraiyappa grounds in Jaffna.

We also hope to bring in a law making it compulsory for every child to engage in some kind of sport event at school level. Our aim has been to convert the sports sector as an economic force by connecting it with the tourism industry.

We will also obtain the service of foreign coaches for selected sport categories. Our aim has been to win as much as possible medals from the next SAARC games.

I do not agree to the claim that cricket had collapsed and that there was a severe financial crisis. There had been a temporary drawback and we would settle this situation by April next year. We are to receive US $ 29 million revenue next year alone.

Ajith P. Perera (UNP): Our cricketers have been losing matches due to being demoralized due to unnecessary political influences. They have been discouraged as they have not been paid their salaries.

A number of corruptions have been taking place at the Cricket Board. Corruption should be eliminated and money should be saved to pay the cricketers their outstanding salaries.

Sarath Weerasekera (UPFA): The government has not politicized cricket. Sports is one of the most important sectors in Sri Lanka. That is why the government has paid its utmost concern to develop sports. Swimming pools and playgrounds have been set up in schools islandwide to encourage students in sports activities from their childhood.

We must achieve professional status in every manner of sports. Facilities should be provided to upcoming young sportsmen and women in rural areas.

Higher Education Deputy Minister Nandimithra Ekanayake: Our sportsmen and women, should be provided with international training. Then only can we achieve international victories. Facilities in countrywide play grounds and stadiums should be upgraded.

Yogeswaran (TNA): Members in the Youth Parliament should be provided with employment opportunities. Vocational Training Centres in the North and East which had been destroyed by the war should be renovated.

Youths have not been given any facilities by youth clubs in the North and East.

Radhakrishnan (UPFA): There are a number of talented sportsmen and women in rural areas. They must be brought to Colombo and provided with the necessary facilities to improve their talents.

I request the Sports Minister to take measures to renovate existing and new football and volleyball grounds in the upcountry.

Sujeewa Senasinghe (UNP): The sports sector has achieved a number of victories during the UNP regime. With politics being involved, cricket has not been able to be developed. Corruption had taken place during the construction of new stadiums. If sports was to be developed in rural areas, corruption should be eliminated.

Thilanga Sumathipala (UPFA): The Sports Minister has been attempting to introduce a national sports policy. The public also can submit their views and proposals to it. There has been a lack of swimming pools for the common people in Colombo.

There are no common swimming pools for students in small schools. There have been plans for the construction of such pools in the national sports policy. I have been the chairman for the longest period in the Sri Lanka Cricket Board.

Rosy Senanayake (UNP): There are 5.5 million youths between the ages of 15 years and 30 years in the country, which is 26 percent of the population. These youths have many issues such as unemployment. By year 2010, there were 28,720 unemployed graduates in the country. The allocations made for the Youth Affairs and Skills Development Ministry has been very low.

Tharanath Basnayake (UPFA): Susanthika Jayasinghe had brought to the country an Olympic medal after Duncan White. Damayanthi Darsha and Sugath Thilakaratne too have brought fame to our country.

Sri Ranga (UNP): We have to thank the Sports Ministry for conducting leadership training and various sports training in the North and East, and also in Nuwara Eliya. Most of the playgrounds in Nuwara Eliya and Nawalapitiya belonged to tea estates. There's only one indoor stadium in Nawalapitiya.

Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister Dullas Alahapperuma: I thank the President on behalf of this ministry for making this year's highest allocation for tertiary education in history. He had made this allocation to take the youths to international levels.

How long have we spoken of youths during this 5 hour long debate? That is the flaw. Until this government under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa considered it with a national importance, other governments did not do so.

Why didn't our country go forward in a high literacy rate and health? The President had identified it. During the past, skills had been confined to a cast system. That is why the President had instructed us to find novel methods.

In the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries raw materials had been the most important factor in the country's economy.

I feel very sorry for MP Rosy Senanayake's criticisms which had been based on her knowledge.

Allocations for youth had been made not only under our ministry, but under many other ministries. She must consider the allocations that had been made for these heads during Ranil Wickremesinghe's regime in 2001 and 2002.

Allocations to youth have been made under Education, Sports, Higher Education, Technology, etc. We are in the 50th place in the index of global competition. Our objective is to bring it to the 30th position.

The Finance Head was passed without amendments.

The House was adjourned until 9.30 am today.

'Rule had no negative impact on farmers'

A polythene production factory has been behind the unruly protests raging in several parts of the island against the new rule making it compulsory to use plastic crates for the transport of vegetables, Co-operatives and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando said in Parliament yesterday.

He observed that this law had not made any negative impact upon the farmers, stating that no party had requested so far for a discussion with the ministry concerning this matter.

He also stated that the use of plastic crates had not been made compulsory when transporting vegetables to economic centers by hand tractors, three-wheelers and bicycles.

The minister made this observation in response to a question raised by Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe requesting to clarify the position of the government with regard to the implementation of the new law and the protests levelled against it.

The minister further stated that the government is ready to conduct discussions over this matter with any party, stating that the President was scheduled to meet a group of farmers and traders at Temple Trees, yesterday evening for their opinion over this issue.

The minister stated that the government had implemented this law after an extensive inquiry over the last six years. He observed that even the Opposition Leader and DNA MP Sunil Handunnetti, had expressed positive views over this law, while what they requested for more time for the traders and farmers to adjust to it.

"The Gazette Notification related to this law had been issued last January and we had also provided interest free loans to purchase the necessary plastic crates," he added.

The minister observed that this law had been essential, since 5 to 40 percent vegetables and fruits had been wasted during transportation. "It is the farmers who have to endure the loss of this law," he observed.