PARLIAMENT

‘Human Resources Policy formulated’

Sandasen Marasinghe, Irangika Range and Disna Mudalige

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa presided when Parliament met at 9.30 am yesterday. After the presentation of papers and oral questions, the House took up the committee stage debate of the Budget 2013. The Finance Heads of 22 ministries and secretariat for Special Functions (10 senior Ministers), which were referred to the Select Committee, were taken up for debate.

Joseph Micheal Perera (UNP):

As a member of the committee which looked into the ministries referred to it, I would like to present my observations.

I request the Speaker to allow us to continue our work as a review committee on these Ministries.

We also request to form a consultative committee for the ministerial portfolios of the Senior Ministers so that they can get-together and take useful decisions.

The cost of living should be recalculated according to the current price rates of goods. This was a main request from workers.

We have presented many recommendations in our report on the ministries referred to us. It is the duty of the government to consider and implement them.

We request the Speaker to allow live telecast of Parliamentary proceedings.

Human Resources Senior Minister DEW Gunasekara:

Once the Parliamentary Select Committee to probe the impeachment charges against the Chief Justice was appointed, we should avoid commenting on it in Parliament. The National Human Resources Policy, which I mentioned in Parliament earlier, has been formulated. It has been submitted to the President. We are a small country and we need to take the optimum use of human resources.

About 62 percent of the population is engaged in the informal economic sector. Nobody considered their needs. They cannot win their rights through protests. We pointed out this fact.

The President decided to allocate more money to the informal sector from the budget as a result of our findings.

The tourism sector too needs human resources development. It is a growing industry and we need to cater to emerging needs.

The export sector should also be thought seriously. We need to give more importance to value added products. Even for this fact, we need human resources.

The national policy was formulated by looking into all the relevant aspects.

S Yogeshwaran (TNA):

The kings who ruled the country in the past protected and helped the Hindu religion. Kovils were reconstructed and maintained. Even Buddhist kings followed a similar policy.

The government should preserve the ruins of historical kovils and religious places. Those places should not let to be ignored. The Archaeological Department should look into these issues.

In the North and East, where the Buddhist community is not living, temples have been constructed.

Health Deputy Minister Lalith Dissanayake:

When talking about good governance, we should point out that a certain official of the NDB bank has withdrawn money five times from his account and opened fresh accounts. He has done this to evade declaration of assents and liabilities.

There had been Rs. 256 million in his account. Therefore, it is necessary to commence investigations to probe this matter. I request the Speak to probe this issue.

Rural Affairs Senior Minister Athauda Senevirathne:

The Divi Neguma programme was initiated with the aim of alleviating poverty. We have targeted to convert low income earners into high income earners through this programme. It has also targeted to strengthen the rural economy. It is necessary to maintain good governance in institutions.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake (DNA):

Good governance is being destroyed today. Certain institutions should maintain necessarily good governance. Both Parliament and the Judiciary should act in unison. The Speaker has given ruling on the way, The Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary should perform. Parliament should not be used to achieve private agendas.

Food security Senior Minister P. Dayarathne:

Food production is at a grave crisis today. Several reasons, including the climate change, global warming, natural disasters, energy crisis and global terrorism have caused to reduce the food production. Malnutrition has become a major problem. It is necessary to increase the food production at least by 40 percent in par with the increasing world population. In our country, the Divi Neguma programme would be a great solution to overcome the food shortage.

Social welfare Senior Minister Milroy Fernando:

A number of self employment opportunities have been introduced to increase the income levels of the people under the Divi Neguma programme. We have distributed fingerlings, chicks and milk cows among the people to provide them with livelihoods and increase nutrition.

I propose that the sale of liquor should be prohibited on Good Friday as well.

Urban Affairs Senior Minister A. H. M. Fowzie:

A massive urban development drive is taking place in the country. Massive scale projects such as Mattala Airport, Hambantota harbour and Southern Expressway have resulted in developing urban areas in the Southern Province.

Similar development activities have been curried out in the North and East under the Northern and Eastern revival progammes. With the increase of the population in Sri Lanka, there is a huge congestion in urban areas. This has resulted in increasing slums and unauthorized constructions in urban areas.

Deputy Chairman of Committees Murugesu Chandra Kumar takes the Chair

Gamini Jayawickrama Perera (UNP):

The government imposes tax and 85 cents out of one Rupee of the people is taxed. Conflicts are over. Even after three years, the government has not been able to find a political solution for the North.

Consumer Affairs Senior Minister S. B. Navinna:

This ministry is concentrating on the cost of living and welfare of consumers. We have to formulate a programme to protect the welfare of consumers. We will legalize the plans we formulated this year. The consumer is very important. Everyone becomes a consumer.

The government has taken measures to protect consumers; one such is the Food Act.

National Resources Senior Minister Piyasena Gamage:

We have identified the need to formulate a national framework to prefect national resources.

A feasibility test has been prepared to find out if chemical fertilizer could be set up in Sri Lanka. Its report has been submitted for cabinet approval. We spend USD 956 million to import Uriah only. So, we can minimize this out flow of foreign currency with this move. A committee has been set up for this. We have resources for this project. One is the phosphate deposit in Eppawala.

Jayantha Ketagoda (DNA):

Relating to the Cultural Ministry, the loan pledged to Artists from the last budget has not been paid. There is no vehicle to be bought at Rs. 1.2 million. There is not a proper mechanism to grant this loan. But this is a remarkable move.

Cultural and the Arts Minister T. B. Ekanayake:

We have lent only a helping hand for the artists to buy a vehicle. It is only a support. We know once can’t buy a vehicle at Rs. 1.2 million. But earlier, no government has helped them event to buy bicycle. Houses are provided for artists at Kalapura. But sometimes, artists say they don’t have a house after selling them. We have added a clause preventing the from selling houses but to grant them to their children.

We have set up cultural centres in the North. We have taken measures for the rejuvenation of culture. Rs. 353 million has been allocated for this.

The Tsunami Cultural Centre is being set up in Paraliya.

We have taken measures to develop Angampora indigenous martial arts and many other traditional arts. We have also plans to develop the tourism industry.

Scientific Affairs Senior Minister Prof. Tissa Vitarana:

I have prepared a three year project for scientific advancement. Forty one employees to workout this project, have been approved and they are in the process of recruitment. However, we need Rs 100 million per year to implement this project. We are only given Rs 25 million for 2013 to implement the project. I request this to be increased to Rs 100 million, since this is an important move.

We can make this country economically developed and introduce high tech mechanisms to the industrial sector by implementing this plan.

Janaka Bandara takes the Chair.

A Adaikalanathan (TNA):

The destroyed Hindu kovils should be reconstructed. The Madu Church premises should be made a sacred place. Religious sites in Vanni should be preserved and necessary aids should be provided for them.

In the Vanni district, there are areas in which CTB buses are not plying. The people face difficulties due to this. The government should look into the transport problem face by the people.

Finance and Planning Deputy Minister and International Monetary Cooperation Senior Minister Dr Sarath Amunugama:

Today, we live in a highly interrelated world. As estimated, about 1.3 million Sri Lankans are working abroad and they are remitting USD 6.5 billion per year. Therefore, international cooperation becomes critically important.

The IMF and the World Bank are the two key international monetary institutions in the world. These two institutions predicted the economic down turn, the western world is undergoing today.

Sri Lanka has had a stand by agreement with the IMF and we received USD 2.6 billion in this manner. Very often there is misunderstanding that we are giving way to the IMF and the World Bank. This is not true. We have not been influenced by them despite such claims by the JVP and some other Opposition MPs. We are only working together with these institutions.

These institutions provide low interest rate loans. The World Bank has doubled its funding to Sri Lanka. They have given concessionary credit for many sectors such as education.

We have strong relations with the middle east, not only politically but also economically.

Social Services Minister Felix Perera:

The old aged community is growing day by day. We have given foremost consideration to provide facilities for them. About seven percent of the population are differently abled. We have been taking care of them and have given priority to cater to their needs. Some of them are very talented in different ways.

The government has allocated Rs 1,200 million to improve Ayurvedic medical treatment centres.

An attitudinal change must be created in society. The society should support these needy communities.

The life expectancy has gone up gradually. As a percentage, 2.14 percent of the population is over 75 years. One percent of the population is over 80 years.

Ajith P Perera (UNP):

The Sri Lanka Standard Institute (SLSI) is an institution on which our people depend to ensure the quality of the products that they consume. The recognition on the certificates issued by the SLSI in the international arena should be considered.

The SLSI has formulated certain standards. But they do not conduct random checks to make sure these standards have been maintained by producers. Some produces fail to maintain the required standards.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sumedha Jayasena:

The Parliamentary Affairs Ministry looks into the matters pertaining to the 225 members of Parliament. We provide facilities for these members to enable them to be involved in social service uninterruptedly. We provide them with financial and human resources. We have looked into the complaints and proposals expressed by Parliamentarians.

We have conducted training programmes for the Parliamentary staff since last year. We started training programmes for senior level officers and high ranking officials. A large number of participants joined in these programmes. They commended the programmes.

Private Transport Minister C B Rathnayake:

Many criticisms have been levelled against private buses and at times, passengers have been inconvenienced. There are 3,100 long distance private buses. Today, the road network is being upgraded and expressways have been constructed. At this point, a quality transport service should be established. We have initiated programmes to cater to this.

Deputy Chairman of Committees Chandrakumar Murugesu takes the Chair.

We have initiated drivers’ training programmes and a move to issue IDs for them. We raid the private bus drivers who neglect and violate road rules.

We hope to implement an integrated time table for buses. We have negotiated with all stakeholders regarding this.

As per long distance travelling, passengers need hygienic food and beverages.

We are checking food stalls to ensure quality food.

Dayasiri Jayasekara (UNP):

The National Heritage Minister had to succumb to the pressure of the Bodu Bala Sena. The monks had to come to the streets and protest to win their requests. This is not a good trend.

The National Museum robbery has become a drama acted by the Police with a special character, Kangetta.

During the prison riot, ‘Manju’ was killed. The suspect of the recent killing of two Buddhist monks in a Raja Maha Viharaya is no more. The entire chapter has been closed.

Estate Resources and Enterprise Development Minister Dayasritha Tissera:

The Laksala, which collapsed during the UNP regime, has been converted to a profitable institution today. The Lanka Phosphate Ltd has begun to earn profits. It has recorded a profit of Rs 200 million. President Mahinda Rajapaksa has instructed us to increase the manufacture of eco friendly organic fertilizer through the Lanka Phosphate Ltd. The loss incurring Salusala organization is being restructured. We have planned to implement a voluntary resignation scheme for its employees. The production of the Valachchenai paper factory has been increased from 35 metric tonnes to 80 metric tonnes.

Social Services Deputy Minister Chandrasiri Suriyaarachchi:

The government has taken measures to grant monthly allowance of Rs 1,000 to senior citizens. We also took measures to grant allowance of Rs 3,000 to disabled people as medical assistance. Plans are afoot to utilize their capabilities and skills for the betterment of the country. Over 155 mobile services have been conducted across the country. We have planned to introduce a health insurance scheme for the benefit of the disabled people and elderly people.

National Heritage Minister Dr Jagath Balasuriya:

Our major objectives are preservation and maintenance of national heritage. We have been able to reveal information with regard to the theft of the National Museum. We have identified the value of stolen items.

There are more than 250,000 archaeological sites with historical values across the country. More archaeological sites have been found in the North and East. Therefore, it is necessary to formulate a programme to preserve these sites.

Buddhika Pathirana (UNP):

The Social Services Ministry should look into the needs of the persons with special needs.

Uditha Lokubandara takes the Chair.

It is necessary to cater to the needs of the elderly people and persons with special needs through the National Secretariats for the disabled people and elderly people.

The percentage of elderly citizens has increased. It will increase more than the youth population in future. The main challenge faced by future governments would be finding jobs for elderly persons.

P Rajadurai (UPFA):

The reconciliation process has been given priority similar to the development activities in the Estate sector. It is necessary to strengthen transparency for good governance. Development in the Estate sector should be accelerated.

Eran Wickramarathne (UNP):

Special school should be designed for the children with disabilities. Then only, their educational requirements can be looked after.

Today, we do not have right to information. As we enjoy the freedom of expression, it is necessary to grant the right to information. The government can take measures to grant the right to information through a legislation.

Buddhasasana and Religious Affairs Deputy Minister M K A D S Gunawardene:

Our main objective is to keep the followers of all religions happy. President Mahinda Rajapaksa has allocated a colossal amount of money for the advancement of all religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Christianity. Today, the country is marching towards religious revival.

State Resources and Enterprise Development Deputy Minister Sarath Kumara Gunaratne:

Rs 2,900 million was allocated to restore the institutions that were on the verge of bankruptcy. Our ministry has performed its duty.

There are empty seats in the Opposition side. So, this institution has become one that address to the media. Dayasiri Jayasekara and Joseph Michael Perera praised this ministry’s duty.

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody takes the Chair.

I request all to join lands with President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The financial heads were passed with amendments.

The House was adjourned until 9.30 am today.