Parliament

No pure gold statues in sl, only gold-plated - culture and Arts minister

Sandasen MARASINGHE and Disna MUDALIGE

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa presided when Parliament met at 1.30 p.m. yesterday. After the presentation of papers and oral questions the House took up the condolence vote of ex-MP the late General Anuruddha Ratwatte for debate.

Social Services Senior Minister Milroy Fernando: As a senior member in the SLEP, I regret the demise of General Anuruddha Ratwatte. We could supply electricity to every household in my seat in Wennappuwa, as he showed concern as Power and Energy Minister.

Culture and Arts Minister T.B. Ekanayake: During the war against the LTTE, as Deputy Defence Minister General Anuruddha, gave leadership to military forces for many operations. Even though he had high ranking political affiliations, he was always humble.

Child Development and Women's Affairs Deputy Minister M.L.A.M. Hisbullah: Former Minister Ratwatte contributed much to prevent harassment to the Muslim community in the Eastern province by the LTTE. He worked closely with Muslim political leaders and provided lands and other facilities for the Muslims who were chased away by the LTTE.

Urban Affairs Senior Minister A.H.M. Fowzie: He was both a politician and a military man. I was able to work as one of his cabinet colleagues and am happy about it. He had many successful military operations including ‘Jaya Sikuru’ which liberated the Jaffna peninsula from the LTTE.

Chandima Weerakkody (UPFA): He undertook a great responsibility to reorganize the SLFP. He opened a new chapter in the Sri Lankan political sphere. When I was a law student, I remember how he supported us to engage in active politics.

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody takes the Chair

Industry and Commerce Deputy Minister Jayaratne Herath: The late General Ratwatte hailed from a respectable family. When the civic rights of Sirimavo Bandaranaike were deprived in 1977, Ratwatte came to her support. He did a yeoman service to reunite the SLFP. As a result the SLFP could form a government in 1994.

Environment Deputy Minister Abdul Cader: The late General Ratwatte can be regarded as a king in Kandy. He gave hundreds of jobs to the unemployed. A large crowd paid their last respects at his funeral.

Kamala Ranatunga (UPFA): President Mahinda Rajapaksa also visited the house on the first day that we took up the condolence vote of General Ratwatte. When the SLFP split up, General Ratwatte came forward to reunite the party and the Bandaranaike family.

Scientific Affairs Senior Minister Prof. Tissa Vitarana: It is with a deep sense of loss that I speak today on this condolence vote.

He was junior to me at Trinity College, but we occasionally had the opportunity to work together in school. He established himself as a political leader from the Kandy district and entered Parliament for the first time in 1989 from the national list. Then in 1994, he was elected to Parliament.

J.R.P. Sooriyapperuma (UPFA): I agree with Deputy Minister Cader in calling General Ratwatte as a king in Kandy. During the past 50 years, the Ratwatte family name gave a tremendous contribution for the progress of the country in numerous ways.

Plantation Industries Deputy Minister Earl Gunasekara: General Ratwatte did not risk national security for political gains. He was a true General. He did not flee the country during the height of war.

Lohan Ratwatte (UPFA): I thank the Leader of the House Nimal Siripala, chief Government Whip Dinesh Gunawardena and Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa for taking up my father's condolence motion on two days. I thank all who supported when my father was ill and when he passed away. I should extend my special thanks to President Mahinda Rajapaksa for his continued support for us. Finally, I also thank all the members who joined in the condolence motion, and the people of this country.

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody (in Chair): On behalf of Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, I agree and join in the feelings expressed by members of both sides. I direct the Secretary General of Parliament to send the copies of this motion to the family members of General Ratwatte.

At adjournment

National Heritage Minister Professor Jagath Balasuriya yesterday said in Parliament the government would take measures to amend the Archaeological Ordinance, increasing the fine on archaeological monument hunters from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 million and increasing the sentence from two to five years.

The minister made this observation in response to an Adjournment Motion moved by UNP MP Harin Fernando.

Harin Fernando (UNP): A large number of artefact thefts have taken place in the country over the past few years. The House should be educated as to whether there is a political hand behind these incidents. The incidents of treasure hunts, destruction of archaeological monuments and robberies of artefacts, have increased in Sri Lanka. The House should be informed what measures the government has taken to curb these illegal activities.

A H M Azwer takes the Chair.

According to Archeological Department Director General Dr Senarath Dissanayake, there are about 275,000 places with archeological importance in Sri Lanka. All of them have been subjected to threats over the past years except one. Doubts have been raised that political figures are involved in these activities.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake (DNA): The archaeological sites and their treasures are the most important evidence of the life and culture of our ancestors. It is estimated there are 6 archaeological sites in each square kilometre. The treasure hunters in these sites are supported by politicians. The culprits should be revealed to Parliament. Even the museum is not a safe place for artefacts.

Culture and the Arts Minister T B Ekanayake: There are many dialogues about treasure hunting at archaeological sites today with many interpretations as well. The Nidan Vadula written during the Kandyan era has exaggerated about the rewards given to the chieftains in various areas by the kings. The treasure represent the lands and its assets, but not any other treasure.

The Sri Kotha is constructed on the basement of the Kotte kingdom. So how could the UNP speak of a lost sword, when the throne and the crown placed at the museum were lost during the UNP regime.

The media misleadingly publishes when an ancient statute was found interpreting it as a pure gold Buddha statue. There were no pure gold statutes in Sri Lanka, only gold plated Buddha statues. So when incorrect news is published, the misled people tend to hunt for treasures at archaeological sites.Without being misled we have to protect and conserve our cultural heritage.

Dayasiri Jayasekera (UNP): During 150 days, 110 places with archaeological value were broken by treasure hunters. It can be identified as a massive treasure hunt. The museum was broken into and few swords robbed. What are the steps taken by the government to investigate these incidents?

What happened at Wilachchiya? Ven Ellawala Medananda Thera's speeches encouraged treasure hunters.

Ven Ellawala Medananda Thera (UPFA): What I have to say is that Opposition members enjoy making baseless allegations.

I never said there are no archaeological monuments. I condemn the allegations made against the forces that they hunted archaeological monuments.

If they needed to do so, they could have done so when they were in operation in the North and East. But they protected them.

There are treasures but they may be deposits like gem, gold, silver, fuel, sand etc. The valuables hidden by others are also a treasure. They are owned by the government elected by the people. There are ways defined clearly to act in respect of these treasures.

There are more than 250,000 archaeological sites in the country. I have visited more than 150,000.In Yala, out of many, one remains. They were not destroyed recently, but long ago in the 1950s or 1960s or even before.

The valuable Temple of Tooth Relic in Kotte Kingdom and other buildings mentioned in Selalihini Sandeshaya are no more. They were destroyed by western invaders. Due to incorrect publications in media archaeological sites are threatened.

When a statue made of a metal was found, the media publishes it as pure gold. There are no such statutes in the country. The truth should be divulged to the people.

Valuable minerals should be utilized for the development of the country, but archaeological artefacts should be conserved for the future.

Lakshman Kiriella (UNP): Archaeological monuments are invaluable and can be used to promote tourism industry. The government is bound by the constitution to protect these monuments related to Sri Lankan culture and Buddhism. Therefore we would like to inquire from the government what actions it has taken to bring the culprits involved in the offences to book. Please do not use political influences on the police.

Manusha Nanayakkara (UPFA): This topic which we debate today, has been extensively discussed in the media. Some highlight this event to get the people to criticize the government. This reminds me of past rumours on Grease Yakas By using the media certain illusionary topics are created and people provoked. It is an attempt to inconvenience the government. Some websites are directly involved in this attempt. We accept the government has a responsibility to protect artefacts. It is fully aware of this and is taking every possible measure to prevent it.

Manusha Nanayakkara takes the Chair

Ajith P. Perera (UNP): The government should be sensitive about the voice of media and the public. Over the past 5 months 110 incidents of destruction and robberies of archaeological monuments were reported . Is this not an unusual figure requiring special attention.

An archaeological monument is a human creation with a history of more than 100 years. All archaeological monuments are national heritages of the country, and should be conserved for the next generation.

A.H.M. Azwer (UPFA): According to the constitution, Buddhism should be placed in the foremost position, and protected and fostered by the government. All the ethnic groups should be provided the opportunity to live in harmony.

A number of Islamic mosques in the country have archaeological value. Those sites should be conserved.

A.H.M. Azwer takes the Chair

National Heritages Minister Dr. Jagath Balasuriya:

Harin Fernando MP asked five questions when presenting the adjournment motion. He asked whether a political hand or senior government officers are be- hind the recent incidents of artefact robberies and destruction.

My answer is that so far no such connection has been revealed. The second question was to state whether political influences have been made not to take legal actions against offenders. I must say all the offenders have been produced before the law according to the Archaeological Ordinance. Harin MP also asked the measures the government has taken to prevent these illegal incidents.

We have arrested 1,381 offenders and by producing them before court we have earned over Rs. 59 million as fines. He also asked the number of artefact robberies and treasure hunts within this year. So far 121 incidents have been reported.

In the provinces, 5 incidents in the Southern province, 10 in the Eastern Province, 9 in the Western Province, 26 in the North Western Province 3 in the Northern Province, 26 in the North Central Province, 10 in Sabargamuwa Province and 12 in Uva Province have been reported.

In 2012, alone we have arrested 347 offenders . We have proposed to increase the fine from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 2 million, and imprisonment from 2 years to 5 years for incidents of archaeological destruction.

To include rigorous punishments we hope to amend the Archaeological Ordinance with the approval of the House. Many inquired about the robbery at the National Museum.

I must say we would be able to reveal some important facts shortly. We have got some tip -offs about it.

Moreover, the security given to archaeological sites have been strengthened and special security force employed.

The House was adjourned until 1.00 p.m June 5.

‘UNP has no right to speak on public servants’ salaries’

Sandasen MARASINGHE and Disna MUDALIGE

International Monetary Cooperation Minister Dr Sarath Amunugama yesterday said it was an irony of fate that the UNP which said the strength of the public service be reduced to 600,000 and their pensions removed, has had to speak of public servants.

Minister Amunugama made these observations in response to a special statement by UNP MP John Amaratunga under Standing Order 23(2).

He inquired in his statement whether the government would grant a subsidy or increase the salaries of public servants in line with the increase of the price hike of fuel, electricity, gas etc.

The minister said with the election of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the government has increased the salaries of public servants every year.

We have to remind the Opposition it was this government that increased the minimum salary to Rs 11,730 which was Rs 7,900. By now each public servant is entitled to a cost of living allowance of Rs 5,850. The government also has taken measures to remove salary anomalies.

The minister said the government has launched many projects to increase and encourage local food production and as a result food production is at a favourable level and the prices of rice, vegetables, eggs, fruits etc stabilized. He said due to these endeavours the inflation rate was brought to a single digit.

The government was able to secure local food production and stabilise prices by implementing its policy to encourage local food production, he said.

He said the government has given priority to increase local food production and guarantee food supply , and that the government has introduced a fixed price for main agricultural products, it distributes quality seeds and provides fertilizer subsidy to overcome the challenges faced by the agricultural sector.

He said the income tax on agricultural products is 12 percent while the tax on import of agricultural machinery has been removed including VAT. The government has also developed infrastructure facilities in villages identifying them as development centres of the rural economy rather than developing agricultural production centres, the minister said.

He said the government has launched 2.5 million home gardens to uplift the economy of family units, by which many families procure their daily needs of vegetables, fruits and eggs. People are also concentrating on poultry, fresh water fish, cultivation etc.

Minister Amunugama said with the change of the global economy and increase of fuel prices in the world market, oil price in the local market had to be revised.

He said the price of a barrel of crude oil in the world market increased from 28-29 US Dollars and the government increased the fuel price in line with the world market price, after a long period. Accordingly electricity and gas prices too changed.

S M and D M

New initiative for Samurdhi recipients

Economic Development Deputy Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena yesterday said in Parliament, Rs 12,794 million has been allocated to grant Samurdhi allowance this year.

He said this is a 33 percent increase compared to 2011 when the government had spent Rs 9,043.44 million to provide Samurdhi allowances.

Rs 1,200 will be given per year to each Samurdhi recipient family as kerosene subsidy and Samurdhi beneficiaries are entitled to 14 benefits including loans from a Samurdhi Bank, the minister said.

He said the new initiative to deposit the Samurdhi grant directly to bank accounts of beneficiaries will provide them the opportunity to save or obtain loans from the bank.

The minister was responding to a question raised by UNP MP Sajith Premadasa.

S M and D M

‘All should protect archaeological sites’

It is misleading that there are valuable treasures like pure gold Buddha statues in temples, so that all should get together to protect and conserve our archaeological sites in a manner that the country can show off to the future generation and the world of our valuable cultural heritage, said Ven. Ellawala Medananda Thera in Parliament yesterday.

He made this observation joining the adjournment motion moved by UNP MP Harin Fernando. Ven thera said there are no such pure gold or ‘Damba gold Buddha statues in Sri Lanka. He said ‘Damba’ gold is a myth written in literature. When a Buddha statue is found made of gold they publish it as Damba gold.

“It is a great threat to temples and archaeological sites” Ven Thera said.

The people should be aware of the truth and not misled.

S M and D M