Parliament

Defence and Urban Development Ministry Finance Head passed

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 Head of Defence and Urban Development Ministry was taken up for debate.

John Amaratunga (UNP): The Minister or a deputy Minister is not present in the House when we take up the Finance Head of the Defence and Urban Development Ministry. We know the President has so many duties and is very busy but he could appoint a deputy Minister.

Now even the Urban Development Authority is under the Defence Ministry. We are glad over the beautification programme in Kotte and in Colombo. This work has been highly appreciable.

Everybody praises this work. People can enjoy the beauty of the environment and walk freely in these newly constructed places. We too applaud the good work initiated by the ministry after the war.

I request the Commission Report of the prison riot to be tabled in Parliament as soon as possible. The security of the Colombo National Museum should be ensured. The robbery took place in it was a shame.

Economic Development Deputy Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena: After the constitution amendment in 1978. I did not see a Defence Secretary who could directly talk and deal with the President, until the appointment of Gotabhaya Rajapaksa as the Defence Secretary. With the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa we could defeat brutal terrorism and usher in peace. The Secretary, Gotabhaya is a strength to the President.

Even though these is no war in Singapore, it spends 3.7 percent of the GDP for its defence. Pakistan spends 2.7 percent for defence and this figure excludes the money spent on nuclear activities. Compared to these expenditures, the amount we spend on defence is normal. For what purposes we do spend this money? It is to provide the welfare of war heroes. We have increased their salary and have been constructing houses for them. Even though the war is over we will not abandon them.

The families of the war heroes who sacrificed their lives and limbs, have been looked after by the government.

The Ministry also undertakes a greater responsibility to develop the urban cities. The beautification of cities is being continued in many areas and this work has been appreciated by many. The urban population is rising dramatically and we have to provide facilities to these people. The money is spent on these moves. The money is spent with good financial management. The benefits of these projects are entirely for our people.

R. Sampanthan (TNA): The war that ravaged in the North and East ended about three years ago. The Tamil people want to get on with their lives. We understand that the presence of security personnel is necessary in the North and the East as in other areas of the country. We do not ask to remove all of the them. What we want is that the civil life be restored without unnecessary interruptions.

Even my friends and relations had been killed by the LTTE. But we are labelled as LTTE supporters. The Tamil issue will remain until a long lasting pragmatic solution is provided to it. There are about 150,000 army personnel in the Northern province and this figure is too much compared with the civilian population in this area.

Leader of the House and Irrigation Nimal Siripala de Silva: I gratefully recall the efforts taken by the President, and security forces to bestow us a peaceful country to live freely. The challenge before us today is the reconciliation. The Ministry has now entered the national development work. The contribution of the security personnel towards development activities should be praised. The security personnel are working closer to the public.

The war heroes and their families should be looked after by the government. Some complained that the expenditure of the ministry is too much. But 95 percent of this money is spent on the welfare of war heroes and their families.

The contribution of the Navy to curb illegal migration has been applauded by the Australian government we are proud of the Navy.

If our security personnel are contributing to our national economy by cultivating various crops, we should appreciate it. We are thankful to the Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa for initiating this more without restricting them to army camps.

The opposition claims that there is a tend for crimes. But this is not true. Actually the incidents of crimes have reduced compared with the past years. There had been 556 killings, 5,557 looting incidents and 13,857 house breaking this year. We are working to reduce the crime rate of the country through an organised plan.

The work of the Defence Secretary has been appreciated by both sides of the House. The flood control programme in Colombo and sub urban areas is very important.

Eran Wickramaratne (UNP): The police service has collapsed today due to politicization. Methodical training and new technologies are not being used by the police. The Police Department should be de-linked from the Defence Ministry because it is a civil public service. Police officers must be provided with necessary facilities, due salary increases and promotions. Today people have lost faith in the police service. Therefore, it is necessary to convert it into a people's friendly service. The allocations made to the Urban Development Authority is not sufficient. Therefore, it would be very difficult to solve the problems of slum dwellers in the Colombo city with the small amount of funds.

Sarath Weerasekera (UPFA): TNA members are always trying to find fault with the security personnel. I would like to ask them who removed land mines in areas affected by the war, allowing innocent Tamils to resettle in their original lands. Nearly 5,000 anti-personnel mines have been removed by the armed forces, risking their lives. Today the armed forces personnel are engaged in constructing houses for the Tamil people. Why don't TNA members appreciate the efforts of the security personnel? Today the Tamils in the North and East have placed their confidence in the security forces. That is why over 1,000 Tamil youth in the North joined the police. The tri-forces personnel are heroes who sacrificed their lives to bring peace to the country. That is why the government has allocated Rs. 290 billion for the Defence Ministry. A sum of Rs. 235 billion out of the total allocations will be spent for paying salaries of the tri-forces.

Dayasiri Jayasekera (UNP): First of all I must thank Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa for his efforts to beautify the environment in Colombo. Salaries of Police Officers should be increased. Their salary levels are very low compared to other public servants in the country. Allowances paid to them have not been increased for many years. At least the allowances should be increased according to today's needs of the people.

Public Relations Minister Dr. Mervyn Silva: If there are any patriotic people even in the TNA and the LTTE we have to extend our love to them. We took measures to rehabilitate and reintegrate to the society, thousands of ex-LTTE members. They have full confidence in the government. Now they have understood the truth. They know that the TNA has mislead and misguided them. Earlier, of the population in Trincomalee 33 percent were Sinhalese. Now the percentage of the Sinhala population has gone down to 22 percent. We need to consider this fact very carefully. During the war, the LTTE chased away the Sinhalese from the North and East. Today also, it is happening in the East. You cannot see Sinhalese living even in Jaffna.

Janaka Bandara takes the chair

Sajith Premadasa (UNP): We cannot forget the Civil Security Forces which render a great service to the country. There are many heroes in the Civil Security Services too. They are only paid an allowance around Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 17,000. The should be made permanent and granted all the other facilities. We have to protect the peace we won on May 19, 2009. In order to do so we have to expedite the reconciliation process among communities. If one attempts to divide the country it will be a threat to the national security. We should have a foreign policy that goes together with the national security. But we lack such good foreign policy. We too stand for the unity of Sri Lanka. It is in our blood.

Child Development and Women Affairs Minister Tissa Karaliyadda: We achieved military victory by defeating the LTTE on May 19, 2009 Since then, massive development projects are taking place. Two Abimansalas have been set up for the disabled security personnel. The children of war heroes have been provided many facilities. After the ex-LTTE cardres are rehabilitated 400 women will be given training on pre-school education. We also have the necessary background created for these youth to get married.

Three years ago we extended the emergency regulations on a monthly basis. Then we lived in a fear psychosis of bomb blasts at any moment. But the situation changed. The Colombo city is very beautiful now. I thank the Defence Secretary for these remarkable developments.

S. Samanthiran (TNA): Military rules are imposed on our people. It is not good to have such strict rules on them. The rule of law is a bedrock of democracy which is guaranteed in the constitution. We need a civil rule.

Coconut Development Minister Jagath Pushpakumara: TNA MP Samanthiran has to thank the Defence Secretary as he goes to courts without any fear now. I like to ask Sujeewa Senasinghe if he joined the massive betrayal at the Millenium City. I ask the Opposition to come to the Parliamentary Select Committee to find a solution to the people in the North. The housing projects for war heroes have been initiated almost in all districts. 3,000 ex-LTTE cardres have been recruited to the Civil Defence Force. As MP Sumanthiran does not go to Jaffna, he does not know these. Mavei Senathirajah known these.

R. Yogarajan takes the Chair

Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister Dullas Alahapperuma : I would like to table some photos taken by the Parliamentary staff and media personnel. These photos show how the Parliamentary complex and the entire area was inundated due to the heavy rains in November last year. We had to use army tanks to come to Parliament. It was like in a film. Today, due to the flood control programme initiated by the Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa Parliament does not go under water. I shifted to Colombo as a student in 1972. From my childhood until very recently I only saw a dirty city with posters, cut-outs and banners all over.

When the ministry set-up notice boards for posters display prohibiting sticking of posters and banners all over the places the Opposition with a narrow mind, criticized it. Colombo was a city where bombs were exploding. This has changed and peace and security now prevails.

The tourism industry is growing rapidly in the country with positive and remarkable progress experienced in every sphere. We request the UNO to define terrorism. We also request the UNO and other powerful nations not to use human rights as a tool to attack sovereign states.

Joseph Michael Perera (UNP): I would like to ask the government and the Defence Secretary whether they have found the gold which was in KP's possession. The government stated that KP had a large haul of gold possessed illegally. What happened to this haul?

The government has formed an urban development force. I would like to know whether the laws and regulations pertaining to labourers apply to them. I also like to find out whether there is any link between the tourism industry and the rising female and child abuses.

Social Services Minister Felix Perera: The major fears of Sri Lankans have been erased by the President and the security forces. The government is very keen on the welfare of war heroes. It provides Rs. 100,000 for the third child in a war heroes' family. The widows of war heroes who scarified their life lives are entitled to half of their pension rates. The Navy's role in curbing illegal migration should be commended.

Sajin Vass Gunawardena (UPFA): MP Samanthiran repeatedly brought out an argument that Parliament should be second to the Judiciary. This is a very dangerous conspiracy. The sovereignty lies in the people. We have come here after being elected by the people. Therefore the sovereignty of the people should not be left to be humiliated. We are bound to protect the sovereignty of the people we won't let anybody betray our people's rights.

Sujeewa Senasinghe (UNP): Many visitors who came to see Parliament were amazed by the charming beauty of the floating Parliament. We all must be proud of this structure. If there had been a clash between the Army and university students, it is inappropriate. However, it was not a question based on ethnicity. University students all over the country face similar situations.

Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardene: Significant progress has been achieved in urban development. The government aims to accommodate all administration offices at Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte. The value of lands in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte has gone up. The Urban Development Authority has already taken measures to beautify the environment in the area. With the increase of scenic beauty, the value of land in the area and requirements for lands for the tourism sector have increased. We have planned to convert Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte as the best administrative hub in the world. Security Forces personnel who sacrificed their lives and limbs to wipe out terrorism are now engaged in a development war.

Vijitha Herath (DNA): It is vital to ensure the security measures for the Chief Justice just as it is important to ensure the security of all other people. The government has abused the two third majority to suppress the Chief Justice.

Arundika Fernando (UPFA): A conspiracy is being hatched against the government. I request the Deputy Speaker to expunge MP Vjitha Heath's statement from the Hanzard.

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody : If the statement made by MP Vijitha Herath is contrary to the Standing Orders, it will be expunged from the Hansard.

Shantha Bandara (UPFA): According to Standing Order 94, the statement made by MP Herath was contrary to the Standing Orders.

Vijitha Herath (DNA): It is necessary to protect the independence of the Judiciary. Cases against the Chief Justice are being heard by the government by abusing its two-third majority in Parliament. Government MPs today misuse their privileges to hear cases against the Chief Justice. We opposed this and are withdrawing from the committee.

Public Administrative and Home Affairs Minister John Seneviratne: We got to know that the Opposition members are going to withdraw from the committee. But they simply cannot do so. They have to inform the Speaker first in writing. They should not make statements in this regard in Parliament. I request the Deputy Speaker to expunge the statement made by MP Vijitha Herath from the Hansard.

Chandrakumar Murugesu (UPFA): A massive amount of funds which were spent on military activities during the war period has now been invested for development activities. It is necessary to place trust and confidence among the communities for reconciliation. A tangible political solution accepted by all communities should be brought for the ethnic problem. The government was able to win the war. This is a milestone. There are no more blood sheddings. All of us have a right to live in peace and harmony. The government is committed to create a conducive environment for this

Arundika Fernando (UPFA): We believe that Parliament is the place where remedies are provided to the burning problems of the ordinary people. This is supreme than any other institution in Sri Lanka. Parliament is vested with powers to remove any public officer if he or she has been found guilty following an investigation. Action has been taken to re-settle 295,000 displaced people. Over 5,000 square kilometres of land have been de-mined. The government has taken measures to construct 4,900 new houses while renovating 4,000 houses damaged partially.

Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawake: We should pay our gratitude to the war heroes who sacrificed their lives and limbs to eliminate terrorism. We are the only nation which eliminated terrorism, resettled the displaced people and provided them livelihoods within a very short period. We must thank our security personnel for their endeavours to wipe out terrorism and develop our country.

The gratitude of the whole nation must be paid to the President and the security forces for redeeming the country from brutal terrorism. Cities must be created according to proper plans. The urban areas are vulnerable to natural disasters which have been rising in numbers in the recent time. We see that the Urban Development Authority is working for the urban development with a proper plan and system. War heroes provide an enormous contribution to this work. We believe that the flood hazards in the urban areas will be minimized as a result of the projects of the UDA. The expansion of infrastructure facilities for villages has helped to control the increase of the urban population. Commemorating Mahaviru Day cannot be justified since it an activity related to a terrorist organization. It was an extremist organization. If somebody attempts to commemorate terrorists, we cannot allow it. The number of the Sinhalese community living in the North and the East has drastically gone down compared with previous statistics in the history. The situation in Colombo is also the same. Therefore it is clear that the ethnic issue pronounced by the TNA is false.

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena: The main task of the Defence Ministry is to provide security to the country and its people. It should safeguard the integrity of the country. The humanitarian operation was launched at a time that the entire nation had become desperate. The development of the country was hampered.

The situation was brought to normalcy, under the leadership of the President. Rather than withdrawing the Army from the North and the East, I believe we must take measures to strengthen the security in the entire nation furthermore. There had been attempts to pump breath once again to the LTTE during recent times. These attempts should be defeated.

No President in the Sri Lankan history had to endure international pressure as President Mahinda Rajapaksa who bravely faced them. During the height of war many foreign powers attempted to reverse the war victory by pressuring the President. But he did not give way to these pressures. The allocations made to the Defence Ministry should not be curtailed at any cost, considering the importance of national security. The innovative work of the ministry in beautification programmes should be applauded. I also convey special thanks to the Ministry for its support to control dengue.

Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Minister Douglas Devananda: The country has undergone a clear transformation. People no more live in fear. The end of war was a great relief for our people. But certain groups envy the peaceful situation in the country. They want to trigger turbulence for petty political gains.

The students in the Jaffna university have been used by some groups to provoke unnecessary clashes. Please do not use the students for narrow gains. The LTTE ruined the future of the youth. Certain groups want to create a clash between students and the Army and inconvenience the ordinary people through it.

A section of the diaspora who fears that they would have to return to the country with the dawn of peace wants to see an extended conflict in Sri Lanka.

Thilanga Sumathipala (UPFA): Many opposition MPs who spoke today overwhelmingly commended the government. They appreciated the good work of the ministry despite political differences.The urban cities which were prone to floods even from a normal rain are no more going under water even due to heavy rains. This work was carried out with expertise knowledge of local engineers. The ministry also intervened to solve the garbage problem and the issue of unauthorized constructions in many urban areas.

Resettlement Deputy Minister Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan: The Defence Ministry should provide a political environment, natural resources and economic security measures. This is a huge task. It needs a lot of commitment and resources. The Kundamkulam nuclear power plant was an example for a situation in which we need environment security measures.

The war in Iraq was for natural resources. We must be always ready to face any challenge.This is why we should maintain a strong army. The Army also supported the resettlement work. The government had a good organized plan to defeat terrorism.

Ports and Highways Deputy Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardene: In 2005, President Mahinda Rajapaksa assumed duties as the fifth President in Sri Lanka. Then he appointed his own brother Gotabhaya Rajapaksa who had served in the Army, as the Defence Secretary. As a result of these, we have been able to eliminate terrorism from Sri Lanka. President Mahinda Rajapaksa achieved this target which no other previous leader had been able to accomplish during their regimes. Various under-world gangs were created by several leaders who ruled this country previously. Under the leadership of the present Defence Secretary, we have been able to wipe out the underworld from Sri Lanka. The environment in the Colombo city has been beautified. Today a number of people enjoy boat rides in the Diyawanna Oya. The TNA members are trying to lift the ugly heads of the LTTE terrorists again. But we will not allow that to happen again. The government has allocated Rs. 260 billion for the Defence Ministry. A massive amount of funds out of total allocations will be spent for the well-being and welfare of the security forces personnel.

The Finance Head of the Defence and Urban Development Ministry was passed without amendments.

The House was adjourned until 9.30 am today.

Speaker not informed of Opposition MPs withdrawal

Sandasen Marasinghe, Irangika range and Disna Mudalige

Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister W.D.J. Seneviratne yesterday in Parliament stated that the Opposition MPs who represent the PSC to probe the charges in the impeachment motion on the Chief Justice should inform the Speaker in writing if they require to withdraw from the PSC process. He also sated that the Opposition MPs in the PSC had not informed the Speaker about their withdrawal so far. He also noted that the Opposition still can participate in the PSC at any time.

The minister made this observation when all opposition MPs walked out of Parliament following a statement by DNA MP Vijitha Herath.