PARLIAMENT

Govt's main objective to develop country's human resources - DEW Gunasekara

Sandasen MARASINGHE, Irangika RANGE and Disna MUDALIGE

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkodi presided, when Parliament met at 9.30 am yesterday. After presentation of papers and oral questions, the House took up the financial heads of 21 ministries which were referred to the Select Committee for the third reading debate on the Appropriation Bill 2012.

Select Committee commendable

John Amaratunga (UNP): The debate on financial heads of 21 Ministries at the select committee, has been a commendable move rather than debating them at the Parliamentary budget debate sessions. I think we must continue this system even in the future. This is very productive system. We, including both government and opposition MPs, have an opportunity to discuss the matters pertaining to each ministry in detail. It is also necessary to implement recommendations given by the select committee regarding each ministry by the government. Normally, when financial heads of the External Affairs Ministry is debated, ambassadors and officials of relevant departments are present in Parliament.

But it seems that they had not attended the budget sessions today.

But if ministries had been referred in the select committee, it is necessary that they attend Parliament to answer our questions. Not only the officials of the External Affairs Ministry, but also relevant officials of other ministries and respond to questions raised by all opposition and government members. This system has been very efficient and should be continued for the betterment of the people.

Human Resources Senior Minister DEW Gunasekara: Our main objective has been to develop human resources in the country. Especially the Finance Ministry should consider this matter and should take measures to allocate sufficient funds to develop the human resources sector.

Today around 62 percent of the people of the entire population had occupied the informal sector. They have low purchasing powers and receive very low salaries. It is also necessary to change the attitude of the people to achieve better results. There are 1.3 million public servants in the country and their attitude should be changed to attain high achievements and productive services. In addition, our export items should be value added. Then only can we earn high foreign exchange for the country. If we do not improve productivity, especially in the informal sector we would not be able to achieve an economic growth. We must reform the entire system.

Expenditure heads of ministries should be referred to select committees

Joseph Micheal Perera (UNP): The Expenditure heads of all ministries should be referred to the select committees. This would be a very good trend. We have an opportunity to find out information of each ministry in detail through the Select Committee. It will pave the way to resolve many problems. It is necessary to move forward with new technology. New technology should be adopted for the teaching methodology for the betterment of students. CDs for each subject can be issued to them. It is a method for schoolchildren to study.

S. Yogeswaran (TNA): The National Paper Corporation had been established in 1956. It was called the national paper factory those days. This institution has made a tremendous contribution to increase State revenue. It had earned huge profits in the past. During the UNP regime, it was privatised and renamed as the National Paper Limited. Then it began to collapse. The production had dropped. Payments of workers had been suspended. Nearly 300 employees had left the factory. The payments of the employees had not been paid, for the last three months. The government should take measures to lease out the factory and converted it into a profitable institution.

Productivity Promotion Minister Lakshman Seneviratne: Productivity promotions have a significant position in the development of our glorious nation in keeping with the vision of the Mahinda Chinthana.

Identifying its importance, the Ministry of Productivity Promotion was established by President Rajapaksa. The foremost objective of this ministry has been to take the subject of productivity to all corners throughout the country, for the upliftment of productivity of the entire nation. This step had already been included into the mainstream of the development of the country. Therefore, in the year 2011, more than the previous years, this topic had been able to reach the government and private sector at large. At present, there are a number of public productivity pilot programmes being conducted in different districts of the country.

We have been consumers at various levels

Consumer Welfare Senior Minister S B Nawinna: Each of us have become consumers at various levels. Many ministries have been involved in consumer affairs. Now there are facilities even to purchase goods by use of the Internet. The government considers that consumers should be respected. We have presented amendments to the Food Act during the past years to strengthen the rights of consumers. We are happy that several Opposition MPs have also participated in the consultative committee meetings.

We have to develop local technology

Scientific Affairs Senior Minister Prof Tissa Vitharana: First, I would like to thank the Select Committee and the Treasury for agreeing to allocate Rs 60 million for the implementation of the five-year plan on scientific advancement.

It has been seen that more weight had been placed on the promotion of IT in the country. However, through these means, we are unable to create innovative products leading to scientific advancement. The promotion of IT only represents the disperse of existing knowledge. However, if we have to convert this country into a knowledge hub, we have to develop our local technology.

When we consider our technological exports, only two percent are hi-tech products. This is a pathetic situation. This percentage has been very high in countries such as Singapore and Korea. The five-year plan that we have presented, has proposals to strengthen this aspect. Therefore, the implementation of this plan is very crucial and sufficient funds should be allocated for it. Local research, hi-tech products and local technology should be developed for the advancement of science.

Developed countries do not distribute their cutting edge technology. They only supply their secondary technology to countries such as Sri Lanka. Therefore, development of local technology is very important.

Rural Affairs Senior Minister Athauda Seneviratne: This budget has given 100 proposals. It had proposals to promote the Divi Neguma programme in remote villages, to uplift the living standards of people. The government targets to gather 2.5 million families to the Divi Neguma programme.

We also have to encourage the use of organic fertilizer for the cultivation of vegetables and fruits since we have a high concern about the nutrition levels in them. The government distributes coconut and fruit saplings for cultivation. We also distribute vegetable seeds to farmers.

A Select Committee appointed to look into selected ministries

Sunil Handunnetti (DNA): For the first time in history, a Select Committee has been appointed to look into the work of selected ministries. As a member of this select committee, I too could observe that unlike when we raise matters with regard to various ministries in the House at the Select Committee, these matters were addressed more openly. I appreciate this fact. I request the media be allowed to cover the meetings of the Select Committee next year.

National Resources Senior Minister Piyasena Gamage: Co-ordination between the Wildlife, Environment and other stakeholders of natural resources, comes under my purview. At the same time, using the maximum contribution of natural resources for the sustainable development of the country has been our duty.

We have taken necessary steps to convert loss making institutions into profit making institutions while supporting the already profit making institutions to better themselves. There had been defunct institutions too. For example, the cement factory in Kankesanthurai had not been operating presently. However, this can be functioned again to make profits and we are working on this initiative now.

Kabeer Hasheem (UNP): There had been an attempt to privatize the chunk rubber factory in Mawanella. It had been a donation from the United Nations during the regime of late Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike.

So it had rendered a great service to the people of Mawanella. The factory should not be privatized in the same manner as the Embilipitiya paper factory which is to be sold to a factory in Australia at a price of Rs 600 million. More than Rs 1,500 million had been spent on this paper factory by the Treasury during the period of this government.

Urban Affairs Senior Minister A H M Fowzie: It has been estimated that the population in urban areas would reach 45 percent by 2015.

The improvement of the expansion of water, sanitation, solid waste disposal, etc, have been identified as top priority. Most of these people live under the poverty line. Under the 'Divi Neguma', these areas will be developed under the instructions of Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa.

Postal Services Minister Jeevan Kumarathunga: Our postal service has a history of more than 300 years. There had not been a conducive environment to provide our services to the North and East. But our staff had made a great effort to provide the NE a better postal service, while maintaining at least at a minimum rate the bondage between the people in the North and South.

But now the situation has changed. We have reconstructed most of the post offices in the North and East.

We have also provided bicycles to each postman, 6 vans and two cabs to the North and East. We have planned to complete the network of all post offices by February, 2012. We have to recruit 1,060 personnel to provide this service. The staff will be recruited on a provincial basis. The Examinations Department is to hold an examination to recruit them. Around 16,000 applications have been received and all qualified applicants would be called for an examination. The North and East youths will be given opportunities to work in their own areas.

Public Relations and Public Affairs Minister Mervyn Silva: I express my condolence on the assault on the UNP head office. While condemning the attack, I urge those responsible for the attack on Siri Kotha to apologize to the UNP. It resembles an attack on a 'Devalaya'.

If this matter had been handed over to me, I would have solved it. That matter comes under my ambit of public relations.

Sri Lanka could not be defeated even by Emperor Ashoka and Mogul. But in 1818, Sri Lanka was handed over by means of an agreement. That is history.

The failure of the UNP is that it had been attracted by a number of very insignificant persons. Sarath Fonseka also was such a person. If the Rajapaksas had not been in the country, we are unable to imagine as to what would have happened to Sri Lanka.

Food and Nutrition Senior Minister P Dayaratne: One seventh of the world's population is starving. One third of the global population is suffering from anemia and malnutrition.

When Sri Lanka is considered, the food provision is satisfactory. The 'Divi Neguma' have projects to guarantee the food provision. It is satisfactory that none in Sri Lanka is dying of starvation. But our crops at times have been affected by bad weather and other unfavourable circumstances.

The government has taken many measures to preserve food. One is to set up stores to preserve food. The food production is also being encouraged.

Govt must take action to compensate farmers

Gamini Jayawickrama Perera (UNP): The government must take action to pay compensation to the farmers whose agricultural products had been destroyed due to the rule of using plastic crates for transporting vegetables and fruits. There had been a number of problems with regard to the lands of the agrarian people. They do not have title deeds for their lands. Therefore, the government must intervene to solve their problems. People in the North and East who have suffered due to the 30-year long war, should be provided with their original lands.

We should be pleased by the budget presented by the President

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sumedha G. Jayasena: We as citizens of Sri Lanka, should be pleased by the Budget which was presented by President Mahinda Rajapaksa during a rapid development decade for making the Mahinda Chinthana a reality.

Without any discrepancy, we should extend our heartfelt gratitude to the President, who had guided the formulation of this budget including the development proposals required to step towards the Wonder of Asia, with perseverance in face of international conspiracies, depressed mental conditions and our country destroyed through vicious terrorism.

Govt's main objective to provide an efficient transport service

Private Transport Minister C.B. Rathnayake: There are 22,800 private buses in this country. Our main objective has been in providing a quality transport service to the people. To achieve this goal, it had been necessary to train drivers and conductors of private buses. This task had been undertaken by the National Transport Commission.

We are ready to implement combined timetables to both the SLTB and private buses, from next year. This would pave the way to provide a quick and efficient transport service to the people. The private bus service will be strengthened under three programmes of 'Sisu Seriya' schoolchildren's transport service, 'Nisi Seriya' a night bus service and 'Gami Seriya' - rural area bus service.

Sritharan (TNA): The postal service has not been properly functioning in the North and East. Tamil speaking people should be recruited to public offices in the North and East to provide a good customer service to the Tamils. There are a number of private buses plying on roads in the North without route permits. You must take stern action against these people.

Social Services Senior Minister Milroy Fernando: The government has addressed the grievances of the fishermen and the livestock farmers under the 'Divi Neguma' programme. We have been able to uplift the livelihood of 1.5 million people through this programme within this year. Plans have been afoot to improve the livelihood of the 2.5 million people during the next year, specially small-scale entrepreneurs have been paid special concern through this budget. All facilities will be given to strengthen the economy and nutrition levels of their families.

Hareen Fernando (UNP): There has been a separate ministry for productivity promotion. For productivity promotion attitudinal changes have been important. However, this should start from the government itself. The attitude of the government should change to a positive note.

Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Amaraweera: MP Hareen said that one should correct his behavior before advising others. I repeat this statement to him. We witnessed the conduct of this MP during the President's budget speech.

He expressed his doubts that the unruly acts opposite the 'Siri Kotha had been provocated by the government. We did not gather in front of their party headquarters by being provided with lunch packets. It was their party supporters. Even the President had said that he would like to see a strong opposition and requested the collision parties to unite.

When talking about my ministry, we will present to the House an amendment bill on a National Building Research Organization shortly, so that more powers would be vested to act against persons who have built unauthorized constructions in landslide prone areas. Several projects are being implemented to control floods in urban areas and those areas which frequently go under water.

We have appointed an independent committee to look into the failure of the Met Department over the recent incident with regard to the weather forecast. We will take measures according to the results of the investigation. At the same time, measures have been taken to modernize the Met Department for a better service.

Ravi Karunanayake (UNP): Sri Lankan Airlines have been incurring heavy losses. About 4,900 employees in this institution have been undergoing a miserable plight. This institution can be salvaged with a proper and organized management.

It has been heard that a plan had been made to refleet the air services. This should be done under a proper plan. It is useless to speak about Mihin Air. This institution had been an utter failure.

Eventhough the government had said that the budget deficit has been about 6 percent, this increases to about 7 percent had been with the depreciation of the rupee. This has not been calculated. I state with responsibility that the government had not sent protestors to Siri Kotha. However, the state police did not take enough action to control the situation.

An improvement in Civil Aviation Service

Civil Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayaratne: The civil aviation services in the country had shown an improvement and our services have acquired a better ranking in the world.

Now we are engaged in the process of uplifting the facilities in the Bandaranaike International Airport. The terminals are being upgraded with modern facilities and equipment.

Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayaratne: When we consider our flights, we have been able to increase them due to discussions we have had. We have been able to increase a number of flights to the UK and other countries.

Two flights have been functioned once a week between Russia and Sri Lanka. We have increased three flights to 7 a week between Ukraine and Sri Lanka. We have plans to increase the fleet of SriLanka Airlines to 20 by next year.

We have increased two flight to 14 a week to Delhi and 42 to Chennai from Sri Lanka. We have been able to resume our airline to fly our own flag.

It has been a pleasure to say that we would be able to boast of 2 international airports by the end of 2012 with the completion of the Mattala Airport. Plans have been afoot to train pilots to international standards.

Chances in public service to enhance productivity

Public Management Reform Minister Navin Dissanayake: This ministry had been set up last year by the President. Its objective had been to make drastic changes in the public service to enhance its productivity.

The President has taken measures to provide a training centre for public servants in Nuwara Eliya next year.

We have been reviewing 21 ministries and public institutions at the moment and we would be able to come to a theoretical conclusion to find out solutions to public sector issues.

A number of youths have joined the public sector and they are ready to contribute their services for the development of the public sector. I think that within the next few years, we would be able to make a dramatic attitudinal change in the public sector.

Dr Jayalath Jayawardena (UNP): As a front row opposition member, I appreciate the government's decision to direct finance heads of 21 ministries to select committees for investigation. This is a positive initiative. So I request you to direct all the ministries to select committees. Then only will productivity be increased. This has been an exemplary move to the entire Asian region.

Eleven percent of population are elderly persons

Social Services Minister Felix Perera: Eleven percent of the population in this country are elderly persons. Seven percent of the population are disabled. It is the responsibility of our ministry to look into their needs. We think that they should be given equal status. When we donate a wheel chair to a disabled person, we have to provide an environment where he or she could perform his or her own activities. We have formulated regulations to direct all newly constructing public institutions to construct access ways for wheelchairs. We have initiated programmes throughout the country to implement our projects.

Deputy Chairman of Committees Murugesu Chandrakumar takes the Chair.

Budget has provided relief to the people

State Resources and Enterprise Development Minister Dayasritha Tissera: This budget has provided much relief to the people.

The media personnel too have been provided with various facilities. There has never been a government that provided interest free loans to journalists.

The Embilipitiya Paper Corporation is to recommence next year, after solving all problems of the employees. Yogeshwaran spoke of Valachchena Paper Factory. We request the employees to extend their support to continue with it.

Our ministry has taken measures to strengthen the Paranthan Chemical Factory, Puttalam Cement Factory, etc. We have new plans to solve the problems of the State sector.

The Finance Heads were passed with amendment.

The House adjourned until 9.30 am today.