Parliament

'Allocations increased to strengthen diplomatic ties with the world' - Dy Minister

Sandasen Marasinghe, Irangika Range and Disna Mudalige

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa presided when Parliament met at 9.30am yesterday. After the presentation of papers and oral questions, the House took up the Committee stage debate of the Budget 2013. The Finance Head of the External Affairs Ministry was taken up for debate.

Lakshman Kiriella (UNP): I would like to congratulate Palestine since a resolution in favour of them had been overwhelming voted at the UN General Assembly. In 2008 when the UFR met it submitted 100 resolutions against Sri Lanka. It now has doubled. There had been 220 resolutions on Sri Lanka. So how can the External Affairs Ministry say that it performed well to safeguard the image of the country? For the first time in the history, a resolution against Sri Lanka was passed at the UNHRC. There is a possibility of another resolution coming through in March next year. How prepared is the government to face this? We have been commended for resettlement work, but in many other spheres such as media freedom etc., Sri Lanka is allegedly not doing well.

External Affairs Deputy Minister Neomal Perera: The President stated in the Mahinda Chinthanaya that the country will maintain the non-aligned policy and will safeguard the dignity of the country in the international arena. Yesterday was a historic day for Palestine. In 1970 President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his maiden speech in Parliament, then as a young Parliamentarian, spoke about Palestine. Today many countries are of the view that Palestine must be accepted as a country.

The budget has increased allocations for the External Affairs Ministry to strengthen our diplomatic relations with the rest of the world. Many foreign delegations have visited our country and the President also made several foreign visits to improve our relations with other countries.

We have held many conferences and forums including the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, to showcase the new developments in Sri Lanka. We have improved our relations with many South African countries. The whole world is looking at the African countries as those countries are rich in natural resources such as Platinum, petroleum and gas. The prices of those natural resources have been rising in the world market.

The CHOGM is another milestone for Sri Lanka. Another meeting is scheduled to be held in November next year. We worked hard to gain this opportunity. We have opened new diplomatic missions but our staff is not enough. We are in the process of recruiting more.

R. Sampanthan (TNA): Different people in the government have expressed different views on the LLRC report. There is no one stand on this report by the government. The government rejects international reports but it does not even show commitment to implement the recommendations given by its own Commission. We lost the GSP plus relief of the European Union and the government behaved with the callous attitude of 'Who cares'? A certain degree of difficulty has been experienced in the export of our garments to certain parts of the world due to the deprivation of the GSP+ relief.

Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Minister Dilan Perera: We cannot be isolated from the rest of the world. We are a small country and located in a geographically strategical position. India and China are emerging as global super powers. In our dealings with the international community, we have borne this always in our minds. The government always maintains a Non Aligned foreign policy. We have always held India in high esteem. Strong diplomatic relations have been created between India and Sri Lanka during the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime. The government has established a Parliamentary Select Committee to find a political solution for the ethnic issue.

But the TNA has refused to attend the Committee meetings. The TNA has not even nominated its members to the committee as yet. I would like to ask the TNA members why they do not like to find a solution to the ethnic issue. If you really want to find a permanent solution, you have to give your fullest support to continue the functions of the committee.

Tissa Attanayake (UNP): There are lots of political appointments in our foreign service. It is reported that over 65 percent of ambassador and High Commissioner appointments have been made on political influence. I urge the government to take measures to appoint professional and capable people to the foreign service. When political appointments are made, they would badly affect our international relations. If we do not appoint professionals to the Diplomatic Service how could we face the challenges posed internationally?

Deputy Chairman of Committees Murugesu Chandrakumar takes the Chair

Roshan Ranasinghe (UPFA): The government is committed to maintain a Non-Aligned foreign policy. During the present Mahinda Rajapaksa regime, our diplomatic ties in the international arena got strengthened. We remember that many countries came forward to support us to eliminate terrorism during the Humanitarian Operation. We have been able to establish diplomatic relations with a number of newly emerged countries. Many trade agreements have also been signed with a large number of countries ,with the view of developing our national economy.

Vijitha Herath (DNA): We congratulate Palestine. Sri Lanka is a sovereign nation. We have to formulate our foreign policy accordingly. However recent crises have clearly shown that country cannot exist without the support of other nations. Those links are supportive for a nation's economic and political development. However our identity has not been maintained and we are not working to protect our sovereignty. That is the reason why a resolution was submitted against Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council.

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody takes the Chair.

Sajin Vass Gunawardena (UPFA): Vjitha Herath has to be more responsible when he speaks. The foreign policy of Sri Lanka is strong. We have fought for our sovereignty from time to time Lakshman Kiriella questioned as to what matters when 'Mahavir' day is celebrated. Why should we celebrate it? We will not give up our sovereignty and on that vision we formulate our foreign policy. For the past 30 years hundreds of thousands of people died of terrorist atrocities. Their human rights were violated. Those too should be discussed. Rs. 700 million has been allocated to implement the recommendations of LLRC report. We are in the process of implementing them.

After immediate completion of the conflict we couldn't implement them. That's why we asked for time. By now 28 independent bodies have attended to the implementation of the recommendations of LLRC needed for reconciliation. Sampathan said that some of the people in the North are living under trees. But is it because of us? We are the ones who gave them shelter. The TNA does not like it. We are developing roads, electricity and other infrastructure facilities. People in our area are requesting to give a portion of the development projects to them as they too were deprived. We tell them of the necessity of those people in the North who were neglected for 30 years.

The TNA does not see these. They speak of political power, political power and political power.

That is the only survival for them. TNA members attend conferences in other countries and distort the country's real situation though they have taken oaths that they will protect the constitution of the country. However no other country can intervene with the matters of Sri Lanka. There are laws and methods in this country to solve problems.

The future of the Sri Lanka's foreign links are looking good. Tourism is increasing. The TNA should arrive at self-realization.

The TNA has to accept the development projects taking place in the North and East. The TNA has to take a pragmatic decision to come to an agreement with the government. Or else the TNA would dwindle to a few members. That is the practical truth. There is a Parliamentary Select Committee to find solutions for their issues.

Ruwan Wijayawardena (UNP)

The international and diplomatic relations of Sri Lanka have a rich history. In post-independent Sri Lanka, we have produced great diplomats and Foreign Ministers such as the late Lakshman Kadirgamar. We did not win the war alone. Many countries supported us towards this achievement. In the post-war scenario, we have challenges in several spheres including the sphere of Human Rights. We have to strengthen our diplomatic ties to face UNHRC moves against Sri Lanka.

Chandrakumar Murugesu (UPFA): The country's foreign policy was instrumental in bringing about peace and harmony. Today it is not easy to build diplomatic ties due to the rivalry among super powers.

A large number of Sri Lankan Tamils are living in European countries. But in our diplomatic missions in those countries, there are not enough Tamil speaking officers. A large scale development is taking place in the North and the East. But this message does not reach the Tamil diaspora. A sufficient number of Tamil speaking people should be appointed to our embassies.

Regional and international forces are competing for power and we have to maintain the balance of our boat. We should maintain an efficient foreign policy.

Deputy Chairman of Committees Chandrakumar Murugesu takes the chair.

Sajith Premadasa (UNP): No country has the authority to intervene into our internal affairs or pressurize or force us to do or retrain from doing things. However, the weak foreign policy we have, has put the country into trouble. The confidence of other countries in our country has been breached.

If Sri Lanka had a sound foreign policy with a far sighted vision, we might not have been subjected to such unwanted interventions.

A. H. M. Azwer (UPFA): There were no friendly relations with Palestine during the time that the UNP ruled the country. But President Mahinda Rajapaksa has cultivated a strong bilateral relationship with Palestine today.

Wijayadasa Rajapaksa (UNP): One cannot formulate a country's foreign policy according to the whims and fancies of a single political party. A foreign policy should be formulated by a special committee in consultation with all political parties.

If there are ad-hoc changes to the foreign policy, it affects the country economically, socially and international.

W. D. J. Senevirathne (UPFA): The Tamil Diaspora still acts against those who have liberated our motherland from terrorism. But China, India, Russia, the Latin American countries and the African countries are with Sri Lanka to fight against allegations levelled by certain sectors of the international community. Countries like American, UK, and Germany are displaying a double standard policy in this regard. They think Sri Lanka is just a small nation. That is why they are trying to unnecessarily, influence our internal affairs. However, Sri Lanka has already shown the world the way of eliminating terrorism. We thank all nations which came forward to support us to eliminate terrorism.

Ravi Karunanayake (UNP): Our foreign policy should be formulated to address the interests and needs in the international arena.

It should also be prepared to face the challenges levelled from the international community. Our diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and other countries have been strained today. We have created many international enemies.

We have lost the GSP plus scheme. Our foreign policy has not helped to regain our prestige which was lost during the past.

Do not play around with the integrity of Sri Lanka. It has been built through years of professionalism. Jokers should not be allowed to ruin the good name of the country.

Interruptions

The sittings were suspended for 10 minutes. The quorum bell was rung thereafter.

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody takes the chair.

Sittings were once again suspended for 10 minutes

John Amarathunga (UNP): We have to thank the Speaker for taking the correct decision

Human Resources senior Minister DEW Gunasekera: I am sorry for what happened some said that this foreign policy in negative and some said if is of double standard. The foreign policy was introduced in 1956 and changed from time to time according to the needs.

The governments and the UNP foreign policies are different and they attempt to activate their policy through on.

Our policy is based on neutralism. It becomes active when the matter is important.

We should not forget that the world has been changing during the last 10 years. New countries are emerging. New economically powerful countries are emerging. After 500 years Asia is becoming an economic power in the world. We are not in angry with America. We need novel ideas. So our foreign policy in acceptable.

Ravi Karunanayake (UNP): I was on the floor when the interruption happened. Thank you for letting me to continue.

Interruptions

The sittings were suspended for another 10 minutes.

Justice Minister Rauf Hakeem: We are grad that some sanity has returned after some turbulent hours. The SLMC wanted to more adjournment motion on the attack by Israel but we could not do it since the Internal Affairs Minister was not available to respond.

We congratulate Palestine for gaining non voting observant status in the UN. We are happy over this more as a leading member of the Palestine Solidarity Movement.

We have prudently decided to strengthen our relations with the African continent and Latin American countries. This I consider marks a paradigm shift in our foreign policy. We have recently revitalized our relations with 15 African countries and 13 Latin American countries. This more is not to open diplomatic missions in all those countries concerning the financial restrictions we have.

The Arab world, except Lybra which is presently undergoing difficult times with the intervention of the US, stood with us at most needy times, spearally during the UNHRC resolution against us.

Hareen Fernando (UNP): We do not have a convincing foreign policy. We have embassies in 61 countries and we have membership in 31 international organizations. The diaspora should not be misunderstood. A diaspora may not always be against our country. There are so called ambassadors who write for Sunday papers. They criticize the foreign policy but they were appointed by the government itself.

Sujeewa Senasinghe (UNP): The foreign policy should be formulated for the betterment of the future. We need to maintain positive relations with the international arena especially to enhance the trade and security sectors. But today the government takes decisions by forgetting our foreign policies. This has resulted in creating a bad image to Sri Lanka.

External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peris: We should forget our internal differences when we are facing international challenges.

The war is over now. But the Diaspora has not changed their objectives. They try to destroy our economy and to stop foreign investments in Sri Lanka. They threaten some MPs who speak on behalf of Sri Lanka. Some foreign MPs who have visited Sri Lanka have experienced the massive development taking place in the country. We have a strong political basis. We have to respond to undue influences and pressures of international community as a government.

We have achieved much in Sri Lanka with regard to resettlement. It is our job to decide what we implement or not with regard to the recommendation of the LLRC reports. We have already implemented lots of recommendations. There are 17 Western African countries with which we do not have diplomatic relations. Today we tried to commence diplomatic relations with Nigeria.

We hope to strengthen our diplomatic relations between South and Western African countries. We intend to develop relations with African countries with the intention of strengthening trade affairs. President Rajapaksa advised us to commence diplomatic relations with African countries. Several Arabian countries were with us when we faced challenges levelled internationally. There is an oil resource in Kasakastan. That is why we want to strength our diplomatic ties with Kasakastan. We gave a clear picture of our foreign policy and local policy to the international arena during the Humanitarian mission Today our foreign policy has been based on the economic development. We suffered a lot due to the war.

Today we want to stand on our own feet. Many nations have come forward to help us to achieve economy development. India, Japan, Korea, China, Kuwait, Iran and Saudi Arabia are some of these countries.

We have been able to achieve massive progress in housing, irrigation, railway, power and health due to strong relations with many countries. We have planned to increase both our human and physical resources.

The Finance Head of the Internal Affairs Ministry was passed.

The House was adjourned until 9.30 am on 3rd December.

Parliament sittings suspended thrice

Sandasen Marasinghe, Irangika Range and Disna Mudalige

The sittings of the Parliament was suspended thrice yesterday due to the unruly behaviour of the Opposition. When MP A.H.M. Azwer was Chairing, during the committee stage debate of the Appropriation Bill 2013 under the Financial Head of the External Affairs Ministry.

When MP Ravi Karunanayake was speaking he began to quote a document.

At this moment the Presiding Member stated that it was against the standing orders and then the Opposition members' behaviour created a commotion. At this stage the Presiding Member named and ordered to unseat UNP MP Ajith P. Perera and suspended the settings for 10 minutes at 4.15 p.m.

The sittings resumed at about 4.32 pm presided by the Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody.

Ravi Karunanayake (UNP): Thank your for giving me to speak again for the lost five minutes alloted to me. My friend in Parliament faced an unjust situation and I want it rectified.

Joseph Michael Perera(UNP): Everything is recorded on camera. So I request you to watch it and come to a decision as we did not hear what orders, were given due to the commotion. MP Ajith Perera walked out when the sittings resumed and he came back now.

Deputy Speaker Chandima Werakkody: I don't know what really transpired. The Chair does not belong to any particular party, it belong to both the sides.

For the Chair to take a fair decision, the Chair should watch the video and needs to ascertain what really transpired. So I suspend sittings for five minutes. The House was suspended at 4.37 p.m and resumed at 5.08 p.m presided by the Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody who called the name of Minister DEW Gunasekara to join the debate.

Ravi Karunanayake (UNP): Point of order. I was on the floor.

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerkkkody: You will be given a chance after the Minister's speech.

John Amarathunga (UNP): We have to thank the Speaker for taking a correct decision.

Chief Government Whip, Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena: Now we have come to a decision as how to operate the debate during the Party Leaders' meeting and we are working as we decided. A member cannot speak twice at the committee stage. Are you going to erase all the decisions reached at the Party Leaders' meeting and abide by the standing orders? We cannot have both ends. I want a ruling.

At this stage Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerkkody suspended the sittings at 5.20 p.m for 10 minutes.

The sittings of the committee stage debate resumed at 5.40 p.m presided by the Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa. The House resumed and the Speaker asked to lengthen the time to continue the committee stage debate. With the consent of Parliament the House took up the committee stage debate of the appropriation Bill to continue.

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa: At the party leaders' meeting it was decided that a member cannot speak twice under the Financial Head though it was different in the standing orders.

However due to the situation which erupted today, I decided to grant another two minutes for MP Ravi Karunanayake to continue his speech as he has already taken three minutes of his five minutes.

Then UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake continued his speech and the committee stage debate continued until it adjourned for the day without any interruption.