[PARLIAMENT]
Sandasen Marasinghe, Irangika Range and Disna Mudalige
Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa presided when Parliament met at 9.30 a.m.
yesterday. After the presentation of papers and oral questions, the
House took up the second reading of Appropriation Bill (2013) for debate
for the fifth day.
Nimal Siripala de Silva (Irrigation and Water Resources Management
Minister): The budget 2013 is not just a document. It contains long-term
and short-term economic policies with the aim of achieving sustainable
economic development in the future. The Sri Lankan economy is in a
higher position when compared with economic growth rates of several
other countries.
The economic growth rate is 8.3 percent in 2011, which was just six
percent in 2008. Countries like the UK has an economic growth rate of
1.8 percent in 2010. Meanwhile, Malaysia and Indonesia have reported
only four and five percent economic growth rates. But under the
leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, we have been able to maintain
a strong economic growth rate.
The State debt rate of the GDP was 106 percent during the UNP regime.
We have been able to reduce the government debt of the GDP to 78
percent. It is due to the accurate economic policies followed by the
government. Other countries like Japan, Singapore and UK have highest
debt rates of the GDP – 236 percent, 90 percent and 88 percent
respectively. According to correct fiscal policies, we have been able to
reduce the poverty rate from 15 percent to 8 percent. About 90 percent
of the population in Sri Lanka enjoy the electricity and drinking water
facilities. The country is marching from success to success. We recorded
over 700,000 of tourist arrivals last year. New five-star hotels are
being constructed creating new employment opportunities. We have also
given highest priority to welfare activities. In 2010 Rs. 98,000 million
has been allocated while Rs. 82,000 million was allocated in 2009. The
foreign direct investments have increased to US$ 1,661 in 2010 which was
only US$ 603 in 2007.
R. Sampanthan (TNA): We welcomed certain development proposals
introduced by this budget. But it has failed introducing a proper
mechanism to alleviate the hardships faced by ordinary people. The
government has allocated a large amount of money to maintain the mega
Cabinet and Deputy Ministers.
It is necessary to take immediate action to cut off unnecessary
expenditure. Unfortunately, no allocation has been made for the welfare
and well-being of the people affected by war in the North and East. How
can the government create reconciliation without fulfilling and
honouring the basic needs of these people.
How can the government win the harts and minds of the war-affected
people if it has not paid attention to their problems? Why the
government has not come up with any political solution for the ethnic
conflict yet as it has promised to the Indian government. How can the
government bring communal and religious harmony among the communities
without implementing the LLRC recommendations. Deputy Chairman of
Committees Murugesu Chandrakumar takes the Chair:
Chandrakumar Murugesu (UPFA): This is a development oriented
budget. The budget has been prepared considering the suggestions of
ordinary people, intellectuals, experts and stakeholders of all sectors
in the economy to cater to the needs of the country and the people.
Livestock development and agricultural sector have been addressed
properly through this budget. We would be able to see an agricultural
revival in the near future with the implementation these budget
proposals. It has given prominent place to develop physical and human
resources to move this country forwards.
The move to allocate funds for the post-war activities is
commendable. It is also welcome the allocation of money for the
implementation of LLRC recommendations. We must let the people to feel
that this government is impartial. Every stakeholder of this country has
a responsibility to build peace and harmony.
Rishard Bathiudeen (Industry and Commerce Minister): The
budget has given prominent place to improve the export development as
well as local entrepreneurs. Livelihood uplift of rural people and the
country’s economic growth had been addressed equally.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sumedha Jayasena:
The country is being developed in every aspect. The maternal and
child health are given high attention and our country has been able to
maintain very good rates in health indices as that of developed
countries.
The Divi Neguma programme is a very commendable move. It strengthens
the economy of the villagers. Many facilities have been made for them to
start self-employment such as poultry farming and crop cultivation. The
budget further strengthens this project.
Kabir Hasheem (UNP):
In a budget we have to consider management of resources,
redistribution of income, economic stability and management of public
enterprises. We cannot be satisfied over the manner money has been
allocated for Ministries. Only a meagre amount is allocated for
education, health, childcare and women’s affairs compared to the
allocations for the President, Defence etc. The next tax income has gone
down to 14 percent. This has happened due to indirect tax policy of the
government. There is a black market economy in the country. Income
disparity has widened. The rich is living luxurious lives where as the
poor is suffering.
Sarath Kumara Gunaratne State Resources and Enterprise Development
Deputy Minister:
Under the ‘Mahinda Chinthana’, Sri Lanka model has been promoted. The
vision of the Mahinda Chinthana is to develop the village first to build
the country. This is what we are doing today. The agriculture has been
boosted and poverty is being gradually eliminated. The ‘Divi Neguma’
caters to boost domestic economic units to alleviate poverty.
Today, the fishermen are given necessary facilities. The fishing
industry is developing rapidly and livelihoods of people are improving.
President Rajapaksa made a cordial invitation to all opposition parties
to join in the forward march of the country. A massive operation to win
the economic war has been started. The people at village level have
embraced the policies of the government. The President is a leader who
loves the country. He will become a historic leader.
Indigenous Medicine Minister Salinda Dissanayake:
When there are no constructive criticisms, the Opposition has
resorted to malicious and false criticisms. Some claimed this is a
neo-liberal economy. However, they are unable to see how the local
economy has been given prominence by the government. There is a strong
indigenous feature in our budget. This is a local production oriented
budget. How does it become a neo-liberal budget when it has given so
many concessions to farmers, local researchers and small- scale
entrepreneurs and self-employment. The characteristic of neo-liberalism
is that the government does not intervene to control the market economy.
But the President as a far-sighted leader has made necessary
arrangements for economic prosperity. He has given incentives and
facilities to boost local production. This budget shifts the local
economy to a new direction based on the Sri Lankan thinking. This
promotes a ‘Sri Lankan Model.’
Thalatha Athukorala takes the Chair
Dr. Harsha de Silva (UNP):
We do not see that this budget has given any incentives for the
industrial sector. We cannot go forward with export pessimism. Our
economy must be export oriented.
The best budget speech made in this House was from Senior Minister
DEW Gunasekara. He analysed the budget very carefully. He also raised
the problem that the government revenuing is falling. The income tax for
the rich is low in Sri Lanka compared to other countries.
A.H.M. Fowzie (Urban Affairs Senior Minister): The President
presented a realistic, development-oriented budget. An appreciable
factor in the budget is that there is no burden on people. It is the
first time that a Rs. 5,000 is paid as a life support to the most
elderly people who are in difficulties. Priority has been given to
implement the LLRC recommendations.
This budget is empowering the rural sector. The ‘Mahinda Chintana’ is
attempting to grant a good living standard to the people.
About 4.1 percent of the GDP is allocated for the education. I wish
to applaud the government’s measures do set up 20 technical colleges to
educate children to cater to the needs of the international market.
Jagath Pushpakumara (Coconut Development Minister): The
President discussed the common people to formulate this budget. He has
taken many measures to develop the milk production. When I was the
Deputy Minister, a kilo gram of maze was at Rs. 8 but now it is Rs. 35.
Now we are exporting maze. The Lak Sathosa has 1,000 branches and
provides commodities at a reasonable price. The measures to improve the
Jaggary production in place of sugar is appreciable. It will increase
the coconut production. Now the black tea export has been reduced and
now the packeted tea export has been increased.
It comes under service exports.
Harsha de Silva spoke of the righteous rule of J.R. Jayeweradene. But
the same regime suspended the service of the public servants when they
requested a Rs. 10 salary like.
During UNP regime Ranil Wickremesinghe had paid Rs. 2.6 million to
one Harsha Silva to get advice to formulate the budget. A large amount
had also paid for some foreigners. However the Ranil Wickremesinghe
regime collapsed after two years and six months.
Akila Viraj Kariyawasam (UNP): We only produce five percent of
sugar requirement here.
Mohan Priyadarshana takes the Chair: This budget has not been
able to provide solutions to them. This budget is a total failure. What
are the measures taken to increase production through this budget?
This budget has increased the price of small cars but reduced the
prices of racing cars. Last year government promised to import 500 cows
but only 100 have been imported. How could the milk harvest be
increased? The loss increased by Mihin Air was around Rs. 1,966 million
and Rs. 17,172 million from the SriLankan Airlines.
Weerakumara Dissanayake (Traditional Industries and Small
Entrepreneurs Development Deputy Minister): Many development
projects were initiated around the country. In our area in Anuradhapura
people got many infrastructure facilities last year. That is the ground
reality. We see all them when we go to villages. The people are pleased
by them. This budget has taken the same positive process forward.
Weerakumara Dissanayake (Traditional Industries and Small
Enterprise Development Deputy Minister):
The major necessity of the country is achieving the economic
development. We all should get-together to achieve this target
irrespective of party, colour, race and caste differences.
Naveen Dissanayake (Public Management Reforms Minister):
President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s wish is to maintain an economic growth
rate of eight percent. We have already achieved this target despite the
negative aspects of the global economic crisis.
It is necessary to take out economic growth benefits to the rural
economy. We need to have a proper mechanism to increase the government
revenue.
Gayantha Karunathilake (UNP):
The dreams of the people for a prosperous future have been shattered
through this budget. People have lost their interests in the budget.
The budget has further placed the burdens on the shoulders of the
ordinary people.
Seventeen farmers had already committed suicide as a result of debt
burden. Nearly 4,000 people are suffering from chronic kidney disease.
Nutrition pack promised for pregnant mothers have not given so far.
Consuming of alcohol has been increased. The consumption of alcohol
which was 67 million litres in 2008 has increased to 75.2 million litres
in 2009.
W.B. Ekanayake (Irrigation and Water Management Resources Deputy
Minister):
We welcome the proposal of giving fertiliser subsidy and introducing
an insurance scheme for farmers. The farmer community has been protected
under the UPFA government. Farmers are the backbone of the economy. Over
1.6 million farmers have been given prominent place through this budget.
The entire road network is being developed. All dilapidated roads
across the country are being reconstructed. We see a massive development
drive taking place everywhere in the country.
Reginald Cooray (Minor Export Crop Promotion Minister):
No public assets were privatised under the Mahinda Rajapaksa’s
regime. We have taken measures to convert all public institutions into
profitable organisations.
The public sector has been strengthened. The number of public
servants has been increased to 600,000.
Deputy Chairman of Committees Chandrakumar Murugesu takes the Chair.
D.M. Swaminathan (UNP):
A successful budget is evaluated by three salient features namely
accountability, transparency and good governance.
When good governance is considered in the country we find many an
issue including no equal treatment to the public etc.
The commotion in prisons recently is due to lack of law and order.
The Tamil and Sinhalese live in harmony in society but it is the
political parties that change it. There is an erosion in the Judiciary.
When the Judiciary is failed in the country the entire fabric of the
society is affected.
Dr. Rohana Pushpakumara (UPFA):
We faced a 30-year conflict, natural catastrophies and riots in the
past. But, today we are improving our living standard under this
government.
This budget proposed not to collect the interest on the loans granted
to farmers who were affected by the drought.
Another salient feature of this budget is that it encouraged the use
of organic fertilisers. The measure is helpful to reduce the people
being victims to cancer and many other serious health hazards.
This budget also proposed to grant Rs. 250,000 to cultivate tea
plants.
Baseer Segudawood (UPFA):
The end of the battle is not that all the issues came to an end. The
13th Amendment to the Constitution has to be amended in a positive
manner. The 13th Amendment was introduced by the UNP. It was not a
success.
The JVP refused the 13th Amendment and protested against it.
Dunesh Gankanda (UNP):
The people expected a lot of relief from the budget 2013. But the
reliefs were granted to the richest but not to the poor. Under this
government a large number of companies were closed down. In Seethawaka
60 percent of companies ended with the same doom.
Dunesh Gankanda (UNP) continues:
The price paid to farmers per one litre of milk is not enough.
The plight of these farmers is unfortunate. They must be given good
prices for their produce. The tea industry is also facing numerous
problems. Plantation sector should be paid more attention to boost our
export economy.
A.H.M. Azwer takes the Chair.
Thilanga Sumathipala (UPFA):
The Opposition has not analysed the budget before making comments. A
budget is the mirror of country’s future.
One TNA MP spoke for about one hour and about 53 minutes, of that
hour he spoke about the 13th Amendment. He had no constructive
criticizms about the budget. The sports sector is growing fast in the
country. The world is spending a large sum on this sector. Sri Lanka has
much more capacity in improving this sector. With the tourist attraction
the country gains after the war, we have more room to expand sports
sector.
If the sports sector was developed we can attract more and more
tourists. These sports fans can also be converted into investors. The
money allocated for this sector must be improved. Therefore, the core
purpose of the proposal to relax taxes on vehicles involved in the
sports sector is different from what the Opposition interpreted. This
proposal has more in-depth value.
Environment Deputy Minister Abdul Cader:
This is a development oriented budget. It will definitely raise the
economic growth and will uplift the lives of the people.
The housing and water supply projects among many other development
initiatives of the government are commendable. The President has always
been an environment-friendly person. He has made considerable
allocations for the conservation of environment.
Sri Lanka is an island nation. Therefore, we are directly facing the
impacts of global warming and climate change such as the rising sea
levels. We have already formulated a Climate Change Action Plan to check
these adverse impacts.
Nimal Wijesinghe (UPFA):
This budget is a far-sighted document and a not a one to put
temporary patches for problems. This budget has given many concessions
for the poor and rural community.
The economic hardships of the poor in villages have been alleviated
from the ‘Divi Neguma’ project. They have been able to cope with life
more confidently.
The budget has allocated a large sum of money for the uplift of rural
schools and to provide them with up to date facilities as that of in
urban schools.
The House was adjourned until 9.30 a.m. today.
Speaker says will guarantee rights of members acting independently
by Sandasen MARASINGHE, Irangika RANGE and Disna
MUDALIGE
Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa yesterday stated that he would guarantee the
rights of members who act independently in Parliament.
He made this observation when DNA MP Ajith Kumara yesterday said that
he was deprived of his right to speech as he was not given an
opportunity to participate in the Appropriation Bill debate by
Democratic National Alliance and the Opposition.
Ajith Kumara raising a privilege matter in Parliament made this
statement.
The Speaker further said that he would discuss the matter in the
Party Leaders' Meeting and take measures to meet justice by the members
who act independently in the Opposition.
DNA Parliamentarian Ajith Kumara said that he requested from DNA
Leader and the Chief Opposition Whip to grant him opportunity to join
the debate on any day from November 12, 13 and 16. However, he was
informed by the secretary of Opposition office that a 20 minutes time
was allocated to him on November 12.
But in the evening on November 12 his name had been removed from the
list and he was deprived of his right to speech as a member. He also
added that he decided to act independently in the Opposition since
yesterday.
He requested the Speaker to allot a time for him to join the debate
on a future date in connection with 2013 budget proposals and also in
the committee stage debate, make room for him to intervene in the
decisions reached at the Party Leaders' Meeting and to move adjournment
motions and entertain other rights of a member.
At this stage Chief Government Whip and Water Supply and Drainage
Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said that though Ajith Kumara maintains a
different political view we have to guarantee his democratic rights
including right to speech. The debate on budget proposals is very
important and the right of a member who decided to act independently
should be guaranteed.
At this moment Chief Opposition Whip John Amaratunga said that they
included his name in the list but when DNA leader decided to remove the
name of Ajith Kumara from the speakers list we have no control over it.
Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe at this stage said that the
three main parties in Opposition UNP, DNA and TNA have been given time
to take part in the debate. However, Tiran Alles has created a Guinness
Record by not making a single speech in the House. What's the use of a
seat when a member does not speak here. We have to give an award to him
for not making a speech here.
DNA MP Sunil Handunnetti said that the party had allotted time for
Ajith Kumara on November 10 and it was informed to him before hand.
However, he did not make that speech.
Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa said that he would discuss the matter at
Party Leaders' Meeting and guarantee his rights.
Ajith Kumara to function independently
by Sandasen MARASINGHE, Irangika RANGE and Disna
MUDALIGE
Democratic National Alliance Galle District Parliamentarian Ajith
Kumara yesterday said that he would act independently in the Opposition
of the Parliament. He made this observation raising a privilege matter
in Parliament.
Parliamentarian Ajith Kumara said that he was deprived of his right
to speech by not allotting time to participate in the budget 2013
debate.
Foreign direct investments increased
Sandasen MARASINGHE, Irangika RANGE and Disna
MUDALIGE
Foreign direct investments have increased to US$ 1,061 million in
2011 from the US$ 516 million in 2010, Irrigation and Water Resources
Management Minister Nimal Siripala said in Parliament yesterday.
This is mainly due to the increased investor confidence on the
economic strategies and policies followed by the government. Investor
confidence is a key factor in attracting investments. The minister was
speaking during the fifth day of the second reading stage of the budget
debate. "We have been able to win the investors' confidence", he said.
He said that budget has aimed at improving both welfare and development.
This policy framework seeking to achieve long-term economic development
and well-being instead of being a document for everyday expenses.
In addition, the national investment rate of the GDP has increased by
35 percent. The public debt has also reduced to 78 percent due to
correct economic and financial policies of the government.
The budget contains three major sectors to be developed. They are
converting Sri Lanka into a poverty free upper middle income country,
ensuring food, water and environmental security and creating high
standard skilled research technical educational revolution.
At Adjournment
Sandasen MARSINGHE, Irangika RANGE and Disna
MUDALIGE
Individual grievances of the low income families who have obtained
housing loans and are unable to repay due to economic hardships would be
considered by the NHDA Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and
Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa said in parliament yesterday.
He said such cases would be offered some relief.
He made this observation in response to an adjournment motion moved
by UNP MP Buddhika Pathirana. Buddhika Pathirana (UNP): The low-income
families have been granted with housing loans by the National Housing
Development Authority. The payment of the loans, even after so many
years, have been difficult for some low-income families. The loans
obtained b y the people who can afford to repay must be obtained.
However for the people who are unable to do so there must be some
mechanism, to write off the loans or to provide some concussion
considering their economic hardships.
UNP MP Joseph Micheal Perera seconded the motion MP Sri Ranga also
spoke:
Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities
Minister Wimal Weerawainsa: There can be many angles to a single
problem. This housing loans issue is also such a problem. In addition to
the loans, the NHDA also provides aids. The NHDA will be under difficult
economic conditions if it was deprived of the loans given. The NHDA has
been established to provide housing loans and it is one of its main
tasks.
However, I also agree that thee is a human angle to this problem too.
We are taking account of individual grievances in repaying the loans.
But the NHDA cannot write off the loans of the entire group. I request
the people who are undergoing economic hardships to inform their
grievances we will look in to them and will provide some relief. |