WEEK IN PARLIAMENT

CPA Presidency hailed

Parliament marked another significant event with the election of Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa as the President of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) where all the Party Leaders extended their warmest wishes and congratulations over the significant achievement of the Speaker.

All the party leaders in their congratulatory speeches informed the House irrespective of political differences they were really proud of this landmark achievement made by the Sri Lankan Parliament. The remarks made by the Party Leaders on the Speaker's election to CPA Presidency showed their interest to rally round on the issues of national importance irrespective of politics.

The Party Leaders who also commended the CPA's decision to choose Sri Lanka as the next venue for the 2012 CPA conference extended their fullest cooperation to make the event a success.

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe who extended his warmest wishes to Speaker said the election of Speaker as the President of the CPA was a pride gained by both Sri Lankan Parliament and the country when the CPA celebrated its centennial at its conference held in London on July this year.

The Chief Government Whip Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardane said the confidence and reputation gained by the Speaker in Parliament would help him bring that to the CPA as well. The speaker who extended his thanks to all the Party Leaders who congratulated on his appointment invited all members of Parliament to join hands to make the next CPA conference to be held in Sri Lanka to promote the image of the country.

The speaker told the House his election as the President of the CPA is an honour bestowed on our country and the Sri Lankan Parliament by the Commonwealth. Speaker's firm commitment to uphold the dignity and decorum of the House was further highlighted to the House when he described his new appointment as a recognition made to the post of the Speaker and not as a personal achievement.

Oil exploration in Sri Lanka turned into a key topic in Parliament and Government and Opposition members built up various arguments on the subject. Senior Minister for International Monetary Co-operation Dr. Sarath Amunugama who commenced the debate on behalf of the Government explained with details on the progress achieved with regard to the oil exploration activities.

Dr. Amunugama said 12 blocks have already been identified to commence these oil exploration activities where preliminary oil exploration activities will be commenced in three blocks in Mannar basin. The Minister described the oil exploration as an historic occasion in Sri Lanka so everybody should be thankful to the President and the Government towards this landmark decision.

Amunugama told the House as a country we should be proud of this move without attempting to sabotage or undermine it. He made the point 'the Opposition must have its say and the Government must have its way'. He queried in which country in the world has this kind of important investment been brought before the Parliament to debate?

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa said the Government will utilise oil exploration to boost the country's economic development like how it defeated terrorism and restored peace in the country.

He said the main Opposition UNP should attempt to resolve its party crisis without wasting its time to find out the reasons of the success of the Government. He told the House most of the developing countries reached a level of development through foreign investments. The Minister explained how Sri Lanka faced a severe setback over the past 30 years due to terrorism which prevailed in the country. Instead of commencing oil exploration activities, the investors did not come to Sri Lanka to establish even a hotel.

The Minister said at present necessary environment has been created for investment. It is the Government's responsibility to safeguard the local investors and bring foreign investors to the country.

Deputy Minister of Economic Development Lakshman Yapa Abeywardane who refuted various claims made by the UNP on oil exploration explained to the House in detail how former UNP Government had leased the buildings like World Trade Centre for a pittance. He said this Government does not have anything to hide as it has made all transactions in a transparent manner.

The most important fact in a country is that the Opposition should also extend its support to the Government to bring investments to the country. Instead of doing so, our Opposition attempt to frighten the investors and prevent them from coming to Sri Lanka.

Referring to the continuous demands made by the Opposition end. The State of Emergency, Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne who moved the motion to extend the Emergency informed the House the Government after consulting the Security Council has already taken measures to repeal the Emergency regulations. UPFA Parliamentarian Prof. Rajiva Wijesinghe who joined the Emergency debate stressed, though terrorism has been eradicated from the country, still some spoilers and betrayers are attempting to destabilise the country.

TNA Parliamentary Group Leader R. Sampanthan making a special statement informed the House that there is a decline of the number of MPs elected to the Jaffna electoral district and it would appear that this number is to further decline. The MP said this reduction is attributed to the decline in the total number of voters currently registered within the Jaffna district.

The premier who responded to Sampantahn said the Election Commissioner is unable to increase or reduce the number of MPs in an electoral district according to his will.

The Election Commissioner only fulfils the responsibilities entrusted upon him by the Constitution. When the electoral lists are prepared, the number of members of some other electoral districts have also been reduced. Therefore the Prime Minister urged the MP not to use this to gain narrow political objectives and not to act in a manner to disrupt national unity.

Civil Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayaratne in a special statement made in Parliament categorically denied certain reports appeared in some newspapers that US fighter jets had violated Sri Lankan airspace.