Parliament

‘Govt’s top priority is civil aviation sector’

Sandasena MARASINGHE and Irangika RANGE

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa presided when Parliament met at 1 pm yesterday.

After presentation of papers and oral questions, the House took up several regulations under the Civil Aviation Act for debate.

Priyankara Jayaratne
(Civil Aviation Minister)

The government has given priority to safeguard and promote civil aviation sector. This is a very important commercial industry.

Air transportation is considered as one of the most efficient transport systems in the world. It has been very clearly mentioned in the Mahinda Chinthanaya that Sri Lanka will be converted into a Civil Aviation hub in the world. Plans are afoot to develop the civil aviation sector. Domestic airports will be developed to cater to the domestic air passenger needs. The second international airport is being constructed in Mattala fulfilling a long felt need of the people.

Development of Airline industry is very important as the development of the country is concerned. We are going to expand the fleet of Airlines. The Batticaloa Airport project is now under way. Our target is to increase air passenger handling upto 2-5 million this year. We hope that we will be able to achieve this target with the implementation of many programmes under the Mahinda Chinthanaya to make our Airlines more safer and efficient.

Ajith P. Perera (UNP)

We extend our fullest support to pass these regulations. SriLankan Airlines making huge losses after it was taken over by the government. Many problems have been arisen with regard to the quality of the service provided by the SriLankan Airlines. There is a sharp drop in the demand for service of the Sri Lankan Airlines.

J. R. P. Suriyapperuma (UPFA)

There was a proposal of constructing an airport in Trincomalee during the UNP regime. But former President J. R. Jayewardene withdrew this proposal due to many pressures from nationally and internationally. It was President Mahinda Rajapaksa who took measures to commence the construction of the Trincomalee airport.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake (DNA)

The government should reveal all transactions of “Mihin Lanka” to people. It has incurred huge losses for the past few years. This is not the personal property of anybody. The money belongs to the ordinary people in this country. There is no transparency in this deal.

L. M. Hisbullah (Child and Women's Affairs Deputy Minister):

There was a dire need for a second international airport in Sri Lanka. Now that international airport is being constructed in Hambantota.

It will help the tourism industry to boom. When the domestic airport is constructed in Batticaloa, there will also be a positive effect on tourism as well. Various development programmes are being implemented in my area. I request the domestic flights should also be commenced to Batticaloa along with the commencement of other domestic flights.

Gamini Jayawickrama Perera (UNP):

In 1977 I can remember we went to Korea on a delegation. It was not a standard Aviation service. J. R. Jayewardene took initiatives to upgrade the Bandaranaike International Airport.

However, that standard is not there with our air service though much money is wasted on them.

Shantha Bandara (UPFA):

The Aviation industry in very competitive today. Under this government the Bandaranaike International Airport is upgraded in a manner that Sri Lankans can be proud of.

The entire country is beautiful, roads are developed and country is clean. Now, after 3 years of elimination of terrorism we are on the path to be the Miracle of Asia. The vocational training, education are also being developed.

A. H. M. Azwer takes the chair

Today the literary rate is very high.

Niroshan Perera (UNP):

Today the people in Ratmalana area where the Airport is located are facing inconveniences due to the excess number of VIP helicopter services. I heard another number of helicopters are to be brought. The burden is put on the innocent people.

Some planes are not in proper standard to fly.

Priyankara Jayaratne (Civil Aviation Minister):

We are planing to buy five brand new flights for the Sri Lankan Airlines.

Felix Perera Social Services Minister: These regulations will further improve the safety of air passengers throughout their journey. These regulations will also help to increase efficiency of the air line service. The domestic airline service has been strengthened under this government. The number of domestic airports across the country has been increased up to now.

R. Yogarajan (UNP): The programme of setting up domestic airports across the country under the “Mahinda Chinthana” programme is totally unsuccessful due to limited number of passengers. Sri Lankan which was running under the “Emirates” management earned huge profits. But the Airlines have incurred losses after it was taken back by the government.

Dayasritha Tissera State, resources and Enterprises Development Minister: The Government implements massive programme to strengthen domestic air services. Today we are handling over 100 flights per day which was limited only for 10-20 per day during the war.

Our air service today provides high quality service following safety measures which have become more popular among the air passengers across the world.

Sujeewa Senasinghe (UNP): The loss incurred by Sri Lankan Airlines was Rs. 5,000 million for the past five years. Mihin Lanka was also incurred huge losses since its inception. All information with regard to management, and transactions of SriLankan Airlines and Mihin Lanka should be presented to parliament.

Sarath Kumara Gunaratne ‘State Resources and Enterprise Development Deputy Minister: Srilankan Airlines and Mihin Lanka have already been able to crate a name in the international arena.

We have already rectified the shortcomings in these two institutions. Necessary action should be taken if frauds are taking place in these institutions.

The house was adjourned until 1.30 p.m today.

President to take final decision on those sentenced to gallows

Justice Minister Rauff Hakeem yesterday told Parliament that the President would take a final decision on the cases of those who have been sentenced to gallows on the basis of a report submitted by his ministry.

Responding to a query raised by UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekera, the minister said that a report compiled by the Prisons department has been submitted to his ministry and the reports are being studied at the moment.MP Jayasekera said that there were over 200 persons sentenced to death and like sentences since 2002 and demanded to know what action would be taken with regard to them.

Minister Hakeem said that a report made on the basis of Prisons department report would be handed over to the President in the future and the fate of those who had been sentenced to death would be decided by the President, accordingly.

SL records highest growth rate in fisheries

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne yesterday said that Sri Lanka has recorded the highest growth rate in fisheries industry in Asia.

He made this observation in response to an adjournment motion moved by UPFA MP Victor Anthony.

The minister also stated that Sri Lanka’s growth rate in the fisheries industry surpassed the growth rate of Vietnam and Thailand.

Rajitha Senaratne (Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister): In 2010 May, we held a conference of Fisheries Ministers of Asia in Sri Lanka where President Mahinda Rajapaksa suggested to set up a Global Aquaculture Fund. Today the fish and meat production in 137 million metric tons. However, 50 percent of it is fish. There is a probability to increase the aquaculture production. That is the reason why President Rajapaksa suggested that we should set up a Global Aquaculture Fund at the conference of the Fisheries Ministers in Asia. So we took the same suggestion to the FAO meeting in Rome in 2012 under the name of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Thereafter a bureau was set up consisting of five countries including Sri Lanka. We were selected from Asia as a representative as we recorded the highest growth rate of fishing industry last year. We could record a growth rate of which is above that of Thailand and Vietnam during the last two years.

UPFA Parliamentarian Arundika Fernando seconded the motion.

Code of criminal procedure (Special Prov.) Bill presented in House

The Code of Criminal Procedure (Special Provisions) Bill was presented in Parliament yesterday by Justice Minister Rauf Hakeem.

The Bill was presented to make provisions for the extension of the period of detention of persons arrested without a warrant to facilitate the conduct of investigations. And also to provide for dispensing with the conduct of the non-summary inquiry in certain cases, to provide for taking of deposition of witnesses for the prosecution and make provision for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

Fisheries subsidy for 36,858 fishermen

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Rajitha Senaratne yesterday stated that 36,858 fisher folk are beneficiaries of subsidies. He stated that they have been provided with boats, nets, equipment required for fishing industry and spare parts for fishing boats as subsidies. He made this observation in response to a question raised by DNA parliamentarian Ajith Kumara.

The minister further stated that 10,261 fisher folk have obtained the Fisheries Insurance Scheme facility upto September.

Govt to buy five aircraft for SriLankan Airlines

Civil Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayaratne yesterday said that there is a plan to buy five brand new aircraft for SriLankan Airlines.

He made this observation in Parliament In response to a statement made by UNP MP Niroshan Perera.

During the debate on the regulations under the Civil Aviation Act responding to MP Niroshan Perera the minister said authorities have come to a decision to buy five more brand new aircraft to the SriLankan Airlines for provide a more comfortable service.