Week in PARLIAMENT

Spotlight on Budget 2011

President Mahinda Rajapaksa presenting the first full budget after the country was liberated from the clutches of three decades of terrorism described it as futuristic which has laid a solid foundation to build a better future for the people and realise the dream of turning Sri Lanka into the emerging wonder of Asia during his second term.

The President who made the budget speech amidst cheers and applause of the Government members stressed the importance of leaving differences aside and placing the country first.

President Rajapaksa who commenced his budget speech congratulating Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa told him when he chairs the proceedings of the House, the image of his father late D.A.Rajapaksa who occupied the seat as the Deputy Speaker comes to his mind.

The country has now become a safe and preferred destination for tourism. Our country is ranked first in the world in the health and survival indicators, sixth in the political empowerment indicators and among the top 20 in the world in gender equality indicators as well as a location attractive for outsourcing. Our performance in education and health is above average.

The President focused the attention of the House that no room can be left for separatism and terrorism again as the war has ended and the country is unified.

The President's budget speech showed the Government's commitment to increase per capita income in excess of US$ 4000 by 2016 and transform Sri Lanka as a strategically important centre in the world. The President in his address to the House showed the Government's commitment to safeguard the rights of the public servants and channel the economic benefits to all people. The "Mahinda Chinthana" policy framework has been able to correct several ill conceived economic ideologies and strategies to make development an inclusive and a beneficial process to the ordinary people.

The President in his concluding remarks said that his attempt in this budget is to sustain achievements and manage future risks in the economy.

After the President's budget speech, the second reading of the budget 2011 commenced on Tuesday (November 23). Before commencement of the debate the House unanimously elected Galle district UPFA MP Chandima Weerakkody as Deputy Speaker.

Chief Opposition Whip John Amaratunga who congratulated the appointment of Deputy Speaker requested some of its members of Parliament to be appointed to held Parliamentary committees such as COPE and PAC to make the work in the legislature more transparent and neutral.

Construction and Engineering Services Minister Wimal Weerawansa raising a point of order told the House the post of the Opposition Leader has been allocated for the UNP forever, thus there was no need for allocating any other posts. Senior Minister of Human Resources D.E.W.Gunasekera refuting the claims made by the Opposition said the Opposition has come down to a pathetic position that they talk of the budget with venom, rancour, malice and jealousy. The Minister maintained the position the UNP is ideologically impotent, JVP blind and TNA deaf. UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake who first spoke said the Budget has not presented any proposals to reduce the burden on the people. When the salaries of the public servants are increased by 5 percent, the Government has increased the electricity bill by 8 percent. The queried whether the Government does not increase the salaries of public servants due to influence made by the IMF. Senior Minister of International Monetary Corporation Dr. Sarath Amunugama who first joined the debate from the Government ranks said budget 2011 has been presented with a firm confidence to create a new era for country's people.

Previous budgets were presented in an unstable political situation while the country's economy had faced various external shocks such as world food crisis and the global economic recession.

Environment Minister, Anura Priyadharshana Yapa described the budget as a positive budget which has covered all key sectors. Minister Yapa said the comments made by the Opposition to reduce the prices of sugar and dhal are very old and traditional remarks. The appointment of Senior Ministers also turned into a key topic among the Opposition members. The Chief Opposition Whip John Amaratunga stressed the point that these Senior Ministers can attend Cabinet meeting after three months time. Chief Government Whip and Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardene who categorically denied the claim said Senior Ministers can attend Cabinet meetings.

UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekera questioned the clause of the constitution under which these Senior Ministers were appointed. Petroleum Minister Susil Premajayantha made the point according to the constitution, President can appoint any MP as a Minister. Therefore all these appointed Senior Minister posts are in accordance with the constitution.

Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage responding to the speech made by the DNA MP Sunil Handunneththi told the House in lighter vein that after he was attacked in Jaffna, he has got his wires crossed. The MP should consult a specialist and check his head. Irrigation and Water Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva made the point the UNP talked about all previous budgets with a negative approach. The budget has been formulated based on a sound economic policy to achieve a sustainable economic development. Nobody can challenge the economic development carried out by the Government. UNP MP Tissa Attanayake maintained the view that people who tolerated all hardships during the war expected this budget to give them some relief. But this budget has shattered all their hopes. The Budget has failed to provide any solution to the burning issues of the people. It has not contained any proposal to control the cost of living. The majority of poor are not able to have even three meals a day. The number of Ministers increased to 60 and the Deputy Ministers to 31. Did the people request to increase the number of Cabinet Ministers?

External Affairs Minister Prof.G.L.Peiris stressed the point the country's international relations have reached unprecedented heights in recent times thanks to the Government's foreign policy. A large number of foreign leaders are scheduled to visit Sri lanka to strengthen their relationship with the country. These visits will definitely strengthen our international relations.

UNP MP Harsha de Silva said the war has been ended. Most of the former Leaders attempted to end the war. But President Rajapaksa could end it successfully. Everybody is saying that a golden era has been created. I also admit that. However the country cannot be taken forward without combining it with globalisation. A better understanding should be created between Sinhala and Tamil people.

UNP MP Karu Jayasuriya tabling a list of 54 loss making public enterprises accused the Government of incompetence, waste and corruption. The MP said while the State institutions are running at a loss, the Government demands the people to tighten their belts.