Parliament

Sports should be devoid of politics

Sandasen MARASINGHE and Disna MUDALIGE

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody presided when Parliament met at 1.30 pm yesterday. After the presentation of papers and oral questions, the House took up Private Members' motions for debate.

Ravi Karunanayake (UNP): I present the Private Members' motion on the implementation of Private Members' motions. I suggest that Private Members' motions moved in Parliament be debated within one year and, if approved by Parliament, the cabinet of ministers sanction them within six months, so that the Private Members' motions would be an effective contribution by parliamentarians.

In this 7th parliament, I have presented 78 Private Members' motions and 8 of them have been debated, and 4 agreed by both sides. But, they have not been implemented up to now. The government has no interest in proceeding with these proposals. Therefore, I suggest they be implemented for the welfare of the country without delay.

Deputy Chairman of Committees Chandrakumar Murugesu takes the Chair

John Amaratunga (UNP): I second the motion.

This is a timely motion. It refers to the rights of Ministers and MPs. A Deputy Minister was deported from India when he was on a tour. But he possesses a SAARC visa. Therefore we have to question and condemn this act. It is an insult to Sri Lanka, and a breach of his privileges.

Dayasiri Jayasekara (UNP): This Private Members' motion shows the inefficiency of the government. It does not pay attention to implement good proposals, but carries out useless proposals spending a lot of money.

The recent incident in India should be looked into and measures taken to avoid repeating such incidents. It can become an issue between the two countries.

M.A. Sumanthiran (TNA): This is a timely motion. It reminds us that the Private Members' motions debated and approved by Parliament should be considered seriously and implemented. They should not be neglected as they come under the label Private Members' motion. Action should be taken to solve matters raised in these motions.

Environment Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa: There is a set procedure for Private Members' motions and we follow this method. The government always works for the welfare of the people and the country. Proposals contributing to the welfare of the people are always considered. However, MPs should not resort to speak in this House to get publicity through the media. Matters already referred to courts should not be debated here.

Ravi Karunanayake (UNP): As long as the independent media remains in the country democracy is safe.

We know, our closest neighbour is India. But the country's foreign policy is not commendable so that India does not support us.

Deputy Chairman of Committees Murugesu Chandrakumara: Now Private Members' bill by member Thilanga Sumathipala will be taken up.

Thilanga Sumathipala (UPFA): We have to create a healthy society through sports.

This parliament resolves that a fair system devoid of racism and clam divisions be drawn up at government level to create a healthy society, encouraging children to take up sports in their childhood, guide them with their innate talents to reach international level and bring glory to the country by becoming world renowned players.

There should be a national policy for this. After 1963 such a plan has not been enacted. Although the Education Ministry has allowed 39 games to be held in schools, only a selected few are played at school level. Though more than 2000 schools play netball only 625 schools play cricket. Out of the 403 schools in Colombo only 8 have swimming pools.

There is an attraction for water sports in Sri Lanka, so the Education and Sports Ministries should jointly formulate a mechanism to identify talented students and elevate them to international level players.

A.M.M. Azwer (UPFA): If children are brought up with discipline the country will be safe and the future secured.

Schools and children should be devoid of caste, creed and racism.

The football federation should be given consideration at school level.

Arjuna Ranathunga also brought much fame to Sri Lanka by winning the Cricket World Cup. Thilanga Sumathipala suggested that all facilities be given to children in remote areas.

Arjuna Ranathunga (DNA): Sports should be exposed to children at a very young age. I emphasise there should be no religious or racial discrimination in selecting players. We have spent Rs. 8000 million to build stadiums. We have to decide whether they are useful. Much corruption has taken place.

This time only 4 will participate at the Olympic Games. This is the first time in recent history that such a low number of athletes participate in the Olympic Games.

A.H.M. Azwer takes the Chair

Ajith P. Perera (UNP): This motion is commendable as it speaks about sports in general, transcending cricket. There should be a mechanism to develop sports to build up physical and mental health. Sports should be brought to professional level to bring economic benefits to the country. A national policy on sports has been formulated but it has to be debated.

Vjithamuni de Soyza (Education Deputy Minister): Nowadays sports involves a massive economic network. Sports days are held in schools to select students good at sports. If a student misses a sports meet at a particular level he would not have the chance to play at the same age level again. We have taken measures to train teachers who wish to work as physical training instructors to address the shortage of PT teachers. Shortages are found in sports equipment. We have taken measures to correct the flaws and develop sports in the country.

After the eradication of terrorism there are plans to involve children in the North and East in sports.

Thilanga Sumathipala (UPFA): I am grateful to the members who contributed to the debate of this motion.

I hope this proposal will contribute to the development of the sports sector. I agree the sports sector should be devoid of politics.

UNP MP Buddhika Pathirana moved his Private Member's Motion in the House.

Buddhika Pathirana (UNP): I present my Private Members' motion on granting Justice of Peace appointments to indigenous ayurvedic doctors. All indigenous ayurvedic doctors registered with the Ayurvedic Medical Council should be made JPs as a token of respect to their service.

They render a great service, especially to the rural folk, considering it as meeting their social obligation, without expecting anything in return.

A mechanism must be developed to identify fake doctors posing as ayurvedic doctors.

Ajith P Perera (UNP): I second this motion, which consists valuable suggestions. MP Buddhika Pathirana has looked into sensitive problems in society.

This is a timely motion which proposes to recognise the services of indigenous ayurvedic doctors. However, the position of JPs in Sri Lanka should be uplifted, as offering JP positions has become politicised.

Indigenous Medicine Minister Salinda Dissanayake: This is a valuable proposal. There are 5 medical practices coming under the Indigenous Medicine Ministry including our indigenous medical practice, Unani and Homoeopathy.

Some doctors are not registered with the Ayurvedic Medical Council. There are facilities to obtain a degree. We hope to commence an Indigenous Medicine University in Mihintale shortly. There are indigenous doctors with inborn talents and the capability to cure illnesses that cannot be cured by western medical practices. Their services should be recognised and appreciated.

Most of these doctors do not even accept money for their services. However, when conferring JP positions to indigenous ayurvedic doctors it must be performed under proper guidance, preserving the recognition of their post. There were occasions, when it was conferred to inappropriate people. It should not happen. The Justice Minister has informed me that an appropriate mechanism to confer JP posts to indigenous ayurvedic doctors will be discussed as suggested in this motion.

He said over 21,000 doctors are registered in the Ayurvedic Medical Council. We will look into this proposal and make necessary arrangements to proceed.

Buddhika Pathirana (UNP): I am happy that green light is shown to this motion in the House today. We should proceed to prepare the necessary legal framework for it. I am looking forward to the successful implementation of the proposal.

It will be an incentive for the indigenous doctors to be registered with the Ayurvedic Medical Council.

At Adjournment

Livestock and Rural Community Development Deputy Minister H R Mithrapala said plans are afoot to develop milk production in the country and stop milk powder import when the country is self sufficient in local milk production.

He was replying to an adjournment motion moved by UNP MP Gayantha Karunathilake.

Gayantha Karunathilake (UNP) : The government ceremoniously launched a programme to offer a glass of milk to schoolchildren in the Nuwara Eliya district. However, it continued only for two days. Teachers in these schools said schoolchildren were keen to attend school during the days the programme was implemented.

Most of the students in these schools face hardships due to financial difficulties. Therefore, this facility is valuable to them. I request the government to resume it. This would not be limited to the Nuwara Eliya district.

Ajith P Perera takes the Chair.

R Yogarajan (UNP): I second the motion. The government launches programmes but abandons them half way during implementation.

This is a fine example to prove this complaint. The government should not have given hopes to schoolchildren in Nuwara Eliya, if it is unable to put the plan into action.

A H M Azwer (UPFA): The consumption of cow's milk is not expanded in Sri Lanka compared to other countries. For example, in India, cow's milk is very popular. That lifestyle is not seen in Sri Lanka.

Livestock and Rural Community Development Deputy Minister H R Mithrapala: It is questionable whether the milk powder imported is healthy or nutritious. It is a pity the Opposition speaks for foreign companies that send us milk powder.

The government is taking measures to provide liquid milk produced in the country. During the UNP regime local milk production dropped to 15 percent.

When the government took measures to import 2,000 heifers to increase milk production, the companies stopped buying the milk from the farmers. They created an unnecessary issue by throwing away the milk in Nuwara Eliya.

Under this government milk production has increased by 40 percent. Milk powder import will be completely stopped in the future as a large amount of money is flowing out of the country to import milk powder.

Nuwara Eliya students will get a glass of milk and the government will take measures to grant a glass of milk to all students in the country.

The House was adjourned until 1 pm June 19.

Parliament extends leave for Duminda

The proposal to grant another three months' leave to UPFA Colombo District MP R Duminda Silva was approved by Parliament yesterday.

Chief Government Whip and Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardane presented the leave proposal of MP Silva, asking to grant him permission to be absent from sittings of Parliament for three months beginning June 24.

Parliament already approved two leave proposals, three months each for MP Silva,, after he was injured in October 2011.

Gold reserve intensifies in value - Minister Amunugama

International Monetary Cooperation Minister Dr Sarath Amunugama yesterday said the price of gold reserves bought at the time when the IMF gave the opportunity for member countries to buy gold, have increased twofold.

The minister said the country has US $ 523 million worth gold reserves weighing 9.93 metric tons as at end 2011. He said the country sold 39.61 metric tons of gold reserve, earning US $ 1,996.6 million and it is maintained as foreign currencies in the country's international deposits.

The Central Bank as part of its deposit management operations, purchases and sells gold reserves, he said. Purchasing and selling is carried out after considering gold price fluctuations in the international market.

The price of gold increased in 2011 and a decision was taken to sell part of the gold reserves, the minister said.

Glass of milk for schoolchildren

Steps will be taken to provide a glass of milk for all schoolchildren in the Nuwara Eliya district within the next two days, Livestock and Rural Community Development Deputy Minister H. R. Mithrapala said in Parliament yesterday.

He made this comment responding to a question raised by UNP MP Sajith Premadasa. He said the government has implemented a five year master plan to develop the livestock industry according to the Mahinda Chinthana policy.

Local production of liquid milk has exceeded 40 percent he said.

The government expects to become self sufficient in liquid milk by 2015, the deputy minister said.

He said a number of initiatives such as uplifting 120,000 small scale dairy farmers and 11,000 medium scale farmers have been undertaken by the government for the development of the livestock industry.