PARLIAMENT

Debate on Customs Amendment Bill:

‘The amendment is to streamline activities of the Customs Dept’

Irangika Range and Disna Mudalige

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody presided, when Parliament met at 1 pm yesterday. After the presentation of papers and oral questions, the House took up the Customs (Amendment) Bill for debate.

Finance and Planning Minister Dr Minister Sarath Amunugama: This Amendment was presented with the 2013 budget moved by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his capacity as Finance and Planning Minister. The objective of the amendment being debated under the Customs (Amendment) Bill, is to streamline the activities of the Customs Department.

The Customs Department brings in the highest revenue to the country. Therefore, the government has paid special attention to upgrade the Department's facilities by providing the much needed human and physical resources. Due to the lack of staff, new recruitments have been made to overcome the problem.

Measures have been taken to improve the efficiency of Customs officers. We have assured their security as they risk their lives by raiding and investigating rackets.

Amendment Bill challenged in Supreme Court

Dayasiri Jayasekera (UNP): The government is unable to move this Bill today, since it has been challenged by the Supreme Court.

The government through this Bill was attempting to convert the Customs Department to one of their political centres.

According to this Bill, the Finance and Planning Minister would have the right to decide the ratio of cash rewards presented to Customs officers, while the cash rewards would be taken over by the minister to quell the financial crisis in the government. The Customs Department has been politicized today. You must allow the Customs officers to work independently.

Transport Deputy Minister Rohana Kumara Dissanayake: These regulations have been very timely and important. The Customs Department is one of the major revenue earners to the country. The Department has earned over Rs 485 billion last year. Our main objective is to streamline the activities of the Customs Department through these amendments.

These regulations would also help enhance the capacity of the Customs officers, allowing them to act in a more transparent manner. We remember that Customs officers were subjected to harassments and death threats during the tenure of the previous government. Today we have been able to ensure their safety to carry out their raids.

Sunil Handunnetti (DNA): The consignment of Ethenol valued at Rs 110 million, had been smuggled in by those with political power. If the importers have been registered, how comes those who imported the consignment have not been found?

Large-scale distilleries are maintained in Sri Lanka by politically powerful persons. It is a very sad and serious issue if cash awards for officers who raid illicit liquor is decided by the Finance Minister. Whatever criticism is aimed at the Customs officers, there had been instances where Customs officers have sacrificed their lives while carrying out their duties. However, the Bill to be adopted allows politicians and their lackeys to carry out any racket, while the backbone of the Customs officers are broken.

Senior Minister Athauda Seneviratne: The government's major objective is to strengthen the export sector, while giving numerous concessions. We have targeted to increase the earnings from the export of agricultural productions. That is why the fertilizer subsidy and other equipment have been provided for the production of agriculture. It is necessary to reduce the import of food and agricultural crops to the country. Especially, the importation of foods which are not suitable for human consumption should be prevented. Customs officers should be more vigilant on this matter.

A Adaikalandan (TNA): Sri Lankan pilgrims in India, had been attacked. However, we cannot win the hearts of the Sinhalese people in this way. Our demands are justifiable, but to win them, we have to win the hearts of the Sinhalese people too.

Uditha Lokubandara takes the Chair.

Sajith Premadasa (UNP): Today the garment factories are gradually closing down. The Government had not been able to do anything in this regard, but look on passively.

The Government has been unable to fight back to get the GSP+ benefit once again. The only action the Government had taken in this regard is the appointment of a committee consisting of four Cabinet Ministers. About 200,000 people have lost their jobs due to the closing down of the garment factories.

The new year gift of this government to the general public, is the hike in electricity tariff.

The new system by which the tariff hike is calculated is very unfair.

Customs, key institution that generates income

Achala Jagoda (UPFA): The Customs, is a key institution that generates income to the country. Positive changes in this institution are welcomed by the people. The activities of the Customs should be carried out transparently.

These amendments strengthen the confidence of the people concerning the Customs. Opposition members tried to divert from the topic, because they could not bring out any fair criticism on these amendments.

This government took loans to initiate well planned development targets. It did not waste this money for regular expenses. The dividends of these development projects will surely come in the future, though not immediately.

Eran Wickramaratne (UNP): This country has been continuously running on debts. But in the past, most of those loans were obtained at reduced interest rates, while most of loans we obtain today are commercial loans with high interest rates.

We are not against the Mattala Airport or the Hambantota Port. Our view is that development should flow equally to every part of the country. However, we have to question the efficiency of these projects and their success or failure.

A special inquiry should be conducted on the illegal import of the ethenol consignment in the form thinner. The people behind this act should be revealed.

Sujeewa Senasinghe (UNP): Import of prohibited items occur frequently, while some of them are not exposed. The law should be enforced equally to everybody. The Government should not hesitate to implement the laws strictly against the persons involved in importing the ethenol consignment which is a prohibited item.

These amendments should not be subjected to politicization. Otherwise, the repercussions would be dangerous.

Sri Ranga (UNP): The Tamils are undergoing severe difficulties in the North and East. They need political solutions immediately. The rights of the Tamil speaking people should be preserved.

Deputy Minister of Livestock and Rural Community Development H R Mithrapala :

Deputy Chairman of Committees Chandrakumar Murugesu takes the Chair.

The government has embarked on a massive development drive. It is necessary to obtain loans to accelerate development activities. These loans should be repaid with the profits earned through mega development projects. We constructed the Southern Highway and the Hambantota Port. Today, we earn billions of rupees as revenue through these projects. We have launched massive development activities with the aim of increasing the income of the ordinary people.

The Bill was passed with Amendments.

The House was adjourned until 1 pm today.