Parliament

'Regulations aim at protecting sea mammals'

Sandasen MARASINGHE and Disna MUDALIGE

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody presided when Parliament met at 1.00 pm yesterday. The House took up regulations under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance for debate after the presentation of papers and oral questions.

Chief Government Whip and Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena:

I present regulations under the Fauna and Flora Protection ordinance for the approval of the House.

Agrarian Services and Wildlife acting Minister S. M. Chandrasena:

These regulations were presented to regulate and control the watching of sea mammals. The Wildlife Conservation Department is the regulating body which has power to take action for the conservation of sea mammals. In the sea areas of Sri Lanka, whales, dolphins and sea pigs can be seen. There are about 30 varieties of sea mammals at sea off Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is world famous for watching sea mammals. Some of these species are included in the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance as strictly protected animals.

With the rapid expansion of the tourism industry, there have been occasions where the existence of these species has been threatened.

Their habitats have been disturbed. The regulations presented today aims at controlling these activities.

Sajith Premadasa (UNP):

The post of Director General in the Wildlife Conservation Department has been vacant for a long time. The work of the department is not functioning smoothly. A number of malpractices are seen in the department. I am thankful to the President for ordering the removal of illegal tourist camp sites in the Yala National Park. The human-elephant conflict is aggravating. There must be a National Wildlife Action Plan to address problems in this field.

Ports and Highways Deputy Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena:

Sajith Premadasa MP has been enthusiastic over the subject of wildlife. However, the information, he has received, is not accurate. The final report of the elephant census will be issued after finalizing its content. We don't want to keep it as a secret.

The tourism industry, which is growing, must be protected too. It must be done while conserving wild animals. The watching of sea mammals is a high tourist attraction in the world. Strict punishment should be given for sea mammal hunting.

S. Vino (TNA):

Time to time, laws and regulation have been compiled to conserve wildlife. However, there are doubts as to whether those laws are properly implemented. Innocent civilians suffer a lot due to the human-elephant conflict. Their cultivations have often been destroyed. The government should analyze the issue and propose remedies.

Janaka Bandara takes the chair

Social Services Minister Felix Perera:

The whale watching was officially commenced during my tenure as the Fisheries Minister. A whale usually roams about 1,700 kms. We have to create factors that support the breeding of sea mammals. Noisy ships must not be used for whale watching because they disturb these animals. There are some tourists, addicted to sea mammal watching. We must take the best advantage of them.

Dayasiri Jayasekera (UNP):

I am happy that Sri Lanka has compiled laws and regulations to conserve dolphins and whales. This is a gradually developing sector. Fishing vessels have been converted into whale watching ships. Even the Jetliner ship used by the Navy for whale watching is too noisy. It disturbs sea mammals.

Prison Reforms and Rehabilitation Minister Chandrasiri Gajadheera:

The natural assets of the country must be conserved properly. Sri Lanka is world renowned for its rich biodiversity. This is a special treasure that we have and I am happy that regulations to conserve these assets have been formed even after some delay. These regulations will enable to regulate the sea mammal watching industry. The habitats of sea mammals should not be disturbed by regulating this industry. Sri Lanka will be able to earn a good income too.

Sunil Handunnetti (DNA):

We appreciate this endeavor of the Wildlife Ministry to conserve sea mammals. These regulations must be enacted properly. How does the ministry hope to implement these regulations and to take the support of the people who are involved in this sector? Just imposing fines is not adequate. A proper mechanism should be formed to implement the regulations.

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources development Deputy Minister Susantha Punchinilame:

These regulations were made with the cooperation of our ministry and the Wildlife Ministry. Dynamite use is a threat to the existence of sea mammals. I must say that no harm to sea mammals has occurred due to the Jetliner ship developed by the Navy for sea mammal watching.

Sarath Weerasekara (UPFA):

The Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance was formed by our country in 1923, much more earlier than many other countries. From this ordinance, almost all species of animals have been protected. We are far ahead of many countries with regard to wildlife conservation.

At adjournment

A. H. M. Azwer takes the chair

John Amaratunga (UNP):

Match fixing has become a controversial topic in the contemporary era. I request the government to hold an inquiry into these complaints and impose strict punishments to offenders.

The citizens of the country were disappointed over the recent final match of the T20 World Cup and there were rising complaints on match fixing. These complaints must be probed into. Cricket is considered as a 'gentleman's game'. But match fixing charges tarnish this image. Several Indian and Pakistan players have also been charged on match fixing.

Ajith Perera and (UNP):

I second the motion. Cricket is connected with our culture and lives. It is close to the hearts of youths. A large majority of the country, both make and female, enjoy playing and watching cricket. Cricket was some kind of relief when the country was suffering from the war.

Former cricketer Kumar Darmasena won the award for the best umpire in the world, and we are happy over this achievement. Cricket should not let to be subjected to match fixing.

Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Minister Dilan Perera: Our cricket has come to the highest standard in the world. Cricket is also like politics. We learnt in our old days that one has to learn to accept defeat through sports.

We cannot say cricketers fix matches when they defeat themselves.

Nowhere in history, a cricketer has always been able to win. It is unjust to claim that cricketers fix matches when they fail. Our cricketers play with a great love to their nation. Our cricketers have come to world cup finals many times than any other country except Australia. At finals, one fails while the other wins. So you should not say they fix matches. Still Lasith Malinga is the best bowler in T20 cricket. One day, he failed. So you should not say he fixed the match. It is a crime to say so. Mahela Jayawardena became the best captain in the world. Our cricket team is the runners-up in 50 overs and T20 cricket in the world. I would like to say our cricketers, even in their dreams, do not engage in match fixing.

Laxman Kiriella (UNP): All who love cricket lamented at the failure of our team at the T20 finals. I agree with Minister Dilan Perera. Our team came to finals at four occasions but failed. However, no measures have been taken to strengthen players' mental conditions. We had such experts as, Rudy Webster earlier.

Rudy Webster was the mental fitness coach of Calcutta Night Riders and they won the IPL, who failed in five years. Measures should be taken to achieve future prospects of our cricket.

The other matter is that cricket is limited only to Colombo. We should have separate teams for different regions of the country. Then, we can get the support of the entire country for the sport.

Shantha Bandara (UPFA): Cricket takes the name of Sri Lanka across the world. Dankan White and Susanthika Jayasinghe too did the same thing. However cricket is the game that we can talk of proudly in our country.

But the matter to be sad is that certain members attempted to attribute the failure of cricket to the Rajapaksa family.

It is not a good quality to condemn them when our team fails. Our team is the runners-up in T20 cricket. That is not a failure. We have to be proud of it.

Thilanga Sumathipala (UPFA): This motion is highly disputable. The allegation of match fixing against cricketers is a contempt of our players.

Our national players make a great dedication to represent the country. It is very difficult to come to world cup finals. At that stage, the wish of the country is to win. But the people are disappoint when cricketers fail.

Cricketers in our country by 2003, had a good understanding of the repercussions of match fixing due to awareness programmes conducted by the authorities as well as world experience.

Cricket tournaments have been increased by 800 percent during the last eight years. But complaints of match fixing have been reduced dramatically.

We pay our cricketers huge amounts today. I suggest that there should be an amendment to amounts that are paid to players at the provincial level and the national level. Our sport will be affected in all aspects when we make such discussions as this on suspicion of a defeat of our players.

Sujeewa Senasinghe (UNP): I think these topics should be discussed without hiding. Match fixing and use of drugs in sports are two issues in the field of sport.

Some players who engaged in match fixing have been convicted. But how many remain at large. I am happy that our team came to finals at four occasions after winning the world cup. It is a testimony that involved persons in that connection, including the government side, have made a great contribution to that sector.

There should be a transparent mechanism for Sri Lanka cricket.

Unais Farook takes the Chair.

Neranjan Wickramasinghe (UPFA): Cricket is a famous sport in Sri Lanka. I think this kind of motions should not be taken up in Parliament, since it discourages and defames the Sri Lankan team. The team has made so many achievements. We have become runners-up several times. 'Luck' is also affecting cricket at times. Cricket is in a higher position in Sri Lanka.

A H M Azwer (UPFA): I think this will be an opportunity for the sports minister to spell out his future plans for the prosperity of cricket and reply to misinformation.

As a cricket enthusiast, I wish Tony Greig, a speedy recovery. He was not only a cricket commentator, but a tourism ambassador in many aspects. Cricket has helped take the name of our country to the International arena.

Sri Ranga (UPFA): We have made Parliament a platform to discuss cricket. I think it is better to discuss why the Opposition is continuously losing at elections, rather than finding reasons for the cricket match we lost. There is a problem of democracy in the Opposition party.

Cricket is a famous sport in Sri Lanka. There are doubts that cricket is becoming more and more money oriented business since recent times.

A H M Azwer takes the Chair.

Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage: I will consider the proposals expressed by both sides of the House for the welfare of sport.

Match fixing has become a serious problem in the international arena. Anti-corruption Security Unit has been formed to cope with this menace. Twenty two players belonging to various countries have been suspended by this unit.

We have received complaints on few players about match fixing. However, I must note that none of these players have been proved to be guilty.

Several countries have formed anti-corruption units to control players' activities. We have compiled documents to form such a unit and I will table it. This unit will be established shortly after the approval of Parliament.

I believe that the assistance of psychologists should be sought for our players to improve their mental strength and to advise them on how to reduce stress. This will help them face finals with more confidence.

Our cricketers have made so many achievements. I hope to make a clear structural change in cricket. This will help improve cricket. I believe we will be able to win the championship next time.

I deny the charges on the Sri Lanka cricket election. It was free and fair and we committed to ensure a free election.

The regulations were passed.

The house adjourned until 1.00 pm today.

Eleven petitions against three bills

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody yesterday announced in Parliament that the Speaker has received copies of 11 petitions filed in the Supreme Court in relation to the Divi Neguma Bill, code of criminal procedure (Special Provisions) Bill and Appropriation Bill. He said the copies of eight petitions in relation to the Divi Neguma Bill, two petitions in relation to the code of Criminal Procedure (Special Provisions) Bill and one petition in relation to the Appropriation Bill, have been received by the Speaker.

He made this announcement at the commencement of Parliamentary sittings.

Compensation granted on Saudi worker's death

Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Minister Dilan Perera said Rs 1 million was granted to the relatives of the woman of Kosgama, who died while serving in Saudi Arabia, as compensation. Making a statement in Parliament, Minister Perera said the victim Y H Minoli had gone in an unlawful manner for foreign employment.

Steps were taken to grant her compensation at the request of both government and Opposition members. He said Rs 700,000 was taken from the licensed agency and and another Rs 300,000 from the sub agency through whom the victim was sent on foreign employment, to pay the compensation. He made these observations in response to a question raised by UNP MP Ranjan Ramanayake. When the minister was questioned as to whether an allowance was paid to the victims' relatives to construct a house, he said that Rs 500,000 has been granted for the purpose.