PARLIAMENT

Regulations under Import, Export (Control) Act, Land Development Ordinance for debate:

‘Japanese companies will inspect vehicles before exportation’

Sandasen Marasinghe and Disna Mudalige

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody presided, when Parliament met at 1.00 pm yesterday. After the presentation of papers and oral questions, the House took up the Regulations under the Import and Export (Control) Act and Land Development Ordinance for debate.

International Monetary Cooperation Senior Minister and Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama: I present the Regulations under the Import and Export (Control) Act and Land Development Ordinance for the approval of the House.

Janaka Bandara takes the Chair:

Regulations on the Import and Export Control Act are relevant to Japanese vehicles. The number of Japanese companies involved in dealing with the export of vehicles to Sri Lanka would be increased to 3.

There Japanese companies will inspect used vehicles before exportation to Sri Lanka. Two more companies have been selected for that purpose to add on to the single company which had been in used to engage in this activity until now. This move would enable the importation of good quality used vehicles to the country and ensure that those vehicles have been brought to the country through proper procedures.

Today the present regime is in a mess

Dayasiri Jayasekera (UNP): The present regime is in a mess to day. The government is suppressing the public. It has warned the people not to involve themselves in the protest campaign and strike yesterday against the electricity tariff hike. The electricity bills issue is a commonly felt grievance of the people in the country.

The government is boasting about a ‘Miracle of Asia’. But this ‘Miracle’ has fallen on to the heads of the ordinary people. The projects which were launched to make this country the hub in 5 key sectors, had not given any benefit to the people.

The DCD in milk powder had become a critical issue in the country today, Proper action should be taken concerning this issue. The government is silent and inactive about it.

Govt did not influence people not to strike

Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister W.D.J. Seneviratne: Minister Nimal Siripala pointed out the strike attempt the opposition’s had been a failure yesterday and the work at all institutions had continued smoothly as usual.

Dayasiri Jayasekera MP said that the government influenced the public not to be involved in the strike. This was not true. The people declined to join in the strike because they were aware of the petty political motives behind it. The opposition was unable to win public support.

I commend the regulations under the Land Development Ordinance. These would help to curb irregularities on land deals. The population is rising and available lands must be used effectively and under a proper plan.

The lands available for agriculture, construction and residences, are shrinking as a result of the population growth.

Incidents of land grabbing reported from the North

S. Sritharan (TNA): Incidents of land grabbing have been reported from the North. The people have been unable to settle in their original locations due to this matter. Some lands have been used by the military for their various needs. The lands in areas where Tamils live, are being grabbed in an unfair manner.

Tamil people have become miserable due to this situation. Even though complaints have been made about these incidents, no action had been taken by the government.

Land grabbing baseless allegations

Land and Land Development Deputy Minister Siripala Gamlath: I reject the allegations of Sritharan MP, that the government was grabbing lands in the North. Those are baseless allegations. The lands presently used by the military forces are the ones which were used by the LTTE then. Even some of these lands have been released for the use of civilians.

The government is always following the due procedure with regard to lands in the Northern Province.

The regulations used presently under the Land Development Ordinance would help to control the existing irregularities with regard to lands. These regulations will rectify certain loopholes identified. As at present, about 75 percent of the issues referred to the Divisional Secretariats, have been land issues.

In early March, the President as Finance Minister, banned the importation of ethanol to the country and it was highlighted by the media. However, the President as Finance Minister, once again relaxed this ban on March 31.

This was not discussed in the media as the previous news was highlighted. The importation of ethanol is a business of the government.

The government controls the laws to facilitate this business.

The issues with regard to lands are sensitive problems and should be dealt with carefully. But the government handles these issues, especially in the North, in a callous manner. Sri Lanka is a multicultural country in which Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims are together. Their rights should safeguarded in an equal manner.

P Rajaturai (UPFA): Various issues arise in relation to lands in the country, though there are laws in that regard.

Deputy Chairman of Committees Chandrakumar Murugesu takes the Chair.

Around 1.5 million Indian Tamils have been living in Sri Lanka for the past 200 years. Most of them live in the estate sectors and they live in line rooms. They don’t have the rights to land of their own.

Dr Harsha de Silva (UNP): This move is good as it prevents the import of old vehicles.

Import of vehicles of good quality would be good for the environment. Some fraudulent businessmen import only the rear part of new vehicles and others front parts of the same vehicle. Finally, they join them illegally and register them. This illegal business had deprived the government of Rs 6 billion.

S C Muthukumara (UPFA): There is a river of vehicles on our roads. So it is better that we take precautionary action at least for now. If not, the country would be full of rusty iron in a matter of time. So we have to control the import of vehicles.

Eran Wickramaratne (UNP): We know that the economic rate that was 8 percent two years ago, had reduced to 6.4 in 2012 and it is expected to go a bit more down in 2013. To increase the development rate, we have to increase exports, increase the food production, etc.

Most Sri Lankans love to buy Japanese vehicles

Health Services Minister Felix Perera: Most of the people in Sri Lanka love to buy Japanese vehicles. Since 2006, there has been only one institute to procure the standard certificate.

Today with this move, two other institutions have been set up for this purpose. In 2012, 92,952 Japanese vehicles were imported, while 73,861 were imported in 2011. However, the income to the government was low, as the public servants were given a lot of permits.

We are to consider the land issue, the biggest forged land deed was written during the UNP regime. Ranil Wickremesinghe, handed over a massive land to the LTTE by preparing an illegal document.

We have to ensure the right for any person to by lands anywhere in the country. Then only democracy would be well established. The Thesawalame Law prevents this democratic rights of the people.

The government owns 84 percent of land in the country and we have to protect it. The biggest issue in the future would be food scarcity.

Govt utilizing money on useless projects

Sajith Premadasa (UNP): When we consider the government’s expenditure, this government utilizes money on useless projects. It had spent on the Mattala Airport, Hambantota Port and on the Deyata Kirula. But there is a severe shortage of medicines.

The Export Development Board is a white elephant today.

Sriyani Wijewickrama (UPFA): There are a few ordinances on the management of land owned by the government.

There are instances where the Swarnaboomi and Jayaboomi lands had been transferred unlawfully.

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody takes the Chair.

But these lands are not very large in extent. So if we strictly abide by these laws, corruption, could be done away with.

Irregularities in import of vehicles

Sujeewa Senasinghe (UNP): There are many irregularities in vehicle importation. Some vehicles are brought to the country without following a proper procedure.

The Customs should take action on these instances. Such activities deprive the country a large sum of money. The country has not achieved its development goals and the economic growth rate as at present, is not satisfactory.

We could have achieved more positive results if we enhanced efficiency by preventing corruption.

A.H.M. Azwer (UPRA): We have to safeguard our land. Recently there was another plot to topple this government by bringing down some Germans. This danger should be understood.

This land must be protected from such conspiracies. No external force must be allowed to hatch conspiracies against the government and this country. There had been a secret meeting to topple the government. It was a treacherous act.

At Adjournment

Women’s cricket to get a boost

Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage yesterday said in Parliament, that measures are being taken to promote women’s cricket in Sri Lanka by facilitating the necessary human and financial resources. He made this observation in response to an adjournment motion moved by UPFA MP Victor Anthony.

Janaka Bandara takes the Chair

Victor Anthony (UPFA): Cricket is a very popular game in the world. It has earned popularity because of the qualities associated with it such as discipline, manners and fair judgment. Cricket is a popular game in Sri Lanka too. Sri Lanka Women’s Cricket team is ranked 5th in the world. The Women’s Cricket team has many achievements to its credit during the past few years. Therefore, I suggest the time is ripe to promote women’s cricket in our country.

Kamala Ranatunga (UPFA): I second the motion. This was a timely motion which should have been presented by a woman. The women’s cricket team has come along way since its inception in 1997. In 2013, it had been ranked 5th in the world. The need of female coachers for cricket is badly felt. The coachers should be given international training.

UPFA MPs S.C. Muthukumarana and A.H.M. Azwer also spoke.

Mahindananda Aluthgamage: We could uplift women’s cricket to international standards. We are taking a great effort to promote cricket at school levels. It is true that we have not paid adequate attention to women’s cricket. We are now taking measures to promote women’s cricket in the country by providing the necessary facilities.

The regulations were passed

The House was adjourned until 2.45 pm on May 31.