Week in PARLIAMENT

Far-sighted budget

The Government on Tuesday presented 2010 Budget in Parliament by exhibiting its far sighted vision and utmost commitment to further expedite public welfare programs and achieve long term economic benefits to the country without curtailing any subsidies or relief measures already given to the people.

Even though the Opposition attempted to describe the 2010 Budget as a meaningless budget, the Government members during their speeches introduced the budget as a stepping stone which would pave the way to firmly prepare the work plans of the 2011 Budget. They said the 2010 Budget has laid key emphasis on infrastructure development and reconciliation.

Acting Finance Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama presenting the budget on behalf of the President showed the Government's firm dedication of regain what the LTTE terrorism denied the nation and ensure economic development and better living conditions to all Sri Lankans as envisaged in "Mahinda Chinthana" - Vision for the Future. Dr. Amunugama told the House that Mahinda Chinthana is not just a series of promises or a set of handouts. It is a promise to transform Sri Lanka as the "emerging wonder of Asia."

When the Acting Finance Minister was delivering his speech, the UNP members interrupted his speech by displaying various placards. Amidst the uproar and protest made by the UNP MPs, Dr. Amunugama continued his speech. The Government members were also responded by voicing various slogans to counter their slogans.

After the presentation, the Government ministers who commented on the conduct of the UNP MPs said it was unparliamentary and a bad precedent Higher Education Minister S.B. Dissanayake told the media the UNP through their unruly behaviour in Parliament showed their ignorance to the entire country. The Budget should be debated in Parliament. Then the Opposition can also make their constructive criticism on the budget. However the UNP by resorting to such poor behaviour in Parliament had set a bad precedent for the future generation.

Meanwhile, the UPFA MP, A.H.M. Azwer raising a privilege matter in Parliament on Wednesday requested the Speaker to conduct an investigation into how posters, printed placards and alien materials were smuggled into the House by the UNP MPs when the Acting Finance Minister was presenting his budget speech. This kind of unpleasant act has never happened during the history of a Budget speech. The presentation of the budget is a ceremonial occasion. The behaviour of UNP MPs was unparliamentary and was a bad precedent. Therefore the MP requested the speaker to conduct an investigation on this incident as it was a breach of privilege of the MPs.

When the Chief Government Whip and Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardene attempted to give due reply to a question raised by the DNA MP Sunil Handunetti, Deputy Highways Minister Mervyn Silva got up and answered the question by obstructing the due reply. This led the Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa to warn the Deputy Minister to maintain the decorum of the House. The Speaker said if the Deputy Minister continued to disturb the proceedings and behave unparliamentary manner he had no other choice but to name and order him out.

Karunanayake who re-commenced his speech said this Budget looks like a Hindi film. There is nothing in it. It does not contain even a single proposal to reduce the cost of living or generate any employment. Referring to a comment made by the Government MPs on his new attire, karunanayake replied". "If we wear even full suit, we can feel the pulse of the common people".

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa in his speech described Ravi Karunanayake's speech as a speech which did not make any sense. "This is a senseless speech which would lead to further undermine the position of the Opposition. We regret on the fact that the Opposition is moving away from their responsibility to be fulfilled on behalf of the country."

Minister Rajapaksa told the House, the Government is fully bound to implement "Mahinda Chinthana - Vision for the Future". President Mahinda Rajapaksa is the only leader who implemented his election manifesto without turning it to mere series of promises. if this Government deals with international lending agencies, it will never betray the country's sovereignty by subjecting to their conditions. "The proud father of the nation wants to create a society which can consume rice for their three meals.

DNA MP Sunil Handunnetti in his speech said the Budget 2010 would have given some relief to the people as this is the first Budget presented to the House after the eradication of terrorism. At least the Budget would have removed the Nation Building Tax.

This Budget only fulfilled the requirement of the IMF. Deputy Economic Development Minister Ranjith Siyambalaptiya told the House, the speeches made by Ravi Karunanayake and Sunil Handunnetti were clear reflections of their political bankruptcy. At present the Opposition does not have any slogan. Therefore they attempt to protect and oppose to everything.

The Chief Government Whip and Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardene said as a sovereign nation, we can't accept the conditions put forward by the EU. We have been able to resolve many issues with the EU in a friendly manner. But the intention of the Opposition is to turn all European countries into our sworn enemies forever. We have been able to further strengthen the country's democracy under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, he said.

As another welcome step the Government has proposed to the Speaker to release Parliamentary proceedings to the internet through the worldwide web. This suggestion had been forwarded to Speaker by the Chief Government Whip on behalf of the Government. A final decision in this regard would be taken at a party leaders' meeting.