[Week in Parliament]

Shanty dwellers to be given houses

The developments taking place in Colombo city and the issue of shanty dwellers turned into key topics during the week in Parliament due to various remarks made by the Government and the Opposition ranks.

The issue of shanty dwellers first came up on Tuesday when UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake alleged the Government was going to demolish shanties in Colombo city. Construction and Engineering Services Minister Wimal Weerawansa told him the Government has no intention to demolish the houses of nearly 60,000 shanty dwellers and send them out of Colombo. These families will not be removed from their places until the Government completes the construction of alternative condominiums for these families. The Minister told the House all shanty dwellers would be provided houses in high rise apartments with all facilities. Minister Weerawansa asked the UNP MP to say directly if he wanted to keep shanty dwellers in shanties forever.

The Minister told MP Karunanayake not to look at this issue from a political angle. The UNP should also extend its support to provide a solution to this issue without concentrating on who is going to win the CMC election.

Leader of the House and Irrigation and Water Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva who also responded to an adjournment motion moved by UPFA MP Manusha Nanayakkara said if the UNP had a genuine intention to solve the problems faced by the shanty dwellers in Colombo, they would have done it earlier. However the Minister alleged the UNP exploiting the suffering of shanty dwellers to gain an undue political advantage. During the regime of the UNP, the number of shanties in Colombo increased. Minister De Silva said the UNP has no right to point their fingers at the Government stating that it has not done anything to overcome the problems faced by the shanty dwellers. After the defeat of three decades of terrorism, the intention of the Government is to develop the country and it has given priority to develop Colombo city.

UPFA MP A.H.M.Azwer moving another adjournment motion appreciated the services rendered by the Urban Development Authority(UDA) within a short span of two years to turn Colombo city into one of the beautiful cities in South Asia. Azwer pointed out that the task undertaken by the CMC in collaboration with the Defence Ministry within this short period is a model for other Local Government Bodies. The MP told the House all other Municipal Councils and Urban Councils can introduce such beautification and development projects in their Local Government areas.

Provincial Council and Local Government Minister A.L.M.Athuallah who responded to the adjournment motion said the people of Colombo will definitely vote for the UPFA at the CMC election as they are aware President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa have systematic plans to develop their city. The Government has a proper plan to develop the Colombo city and the Opposition should appreciate the development process.

UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekera who raised a question about the standard of some water bottles also said there is no standard of cement and the Government as well. Co-operatives and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando told him it is the UNP which does not have any standards.

The Government showing its utmost commitment on the country's national security and deal with LTTE overseas fund raising and money laundering brought amendments to the Prevention of Money Laundering (Amendment) Bill and the Convention of the Suppression of Terrorist Financing (Amendment) Bill.

The Government MPs informed the House that these amendments were brought to further strengthen the existing laws and take stern action against any Sri Lankan living here or abroad found guilty of terrorist financing or money laundering.

Education Minister Bandula Gunawardene who commenced the debate on behalf of the Government said pro-LTTE elements had started fund raising in Europe. The introduction of these new laws on terrorist financing woud leave enough room to deal with those who engage in fund raising for terrorist activities here or abroad. Minister Gunawardene pointed out these two bills enacted on a recommendation by the UN are powerful enough to take legal action against anyone aiding and abetting a terrorist movement or terrorist activities here or abroad.

UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake queried as to what happened to assets seized from Kumaran pathamanathan. The MP noted that out of 65 Ministers most are not seen in the Chamber. The Deputy Finance Minister who responded to Karunanayake said most of the Ministers were attending the Vietnam - Sri Lanka Friendship Association meeting held in Parliament.

Senior Minister for Human Resources D.E.W.Gunasekera recalled that the Suppression of Terrorist Financing Bill was introduced by late Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar on July 07, 2005. It was the last piece of legislation moved by him. Minister Kadirgamar was assassinated just four weeks after he moved the bill. He said sometimes the LTTE terrorists may have assassinated him as he moved that Bill to prevent their fund raising activities. The Government decided to amend this Bill moved by the late Minister to suit present day needs by furthering, strengthening its legal provisions to deal with terrorist financing activities.

MP Ravi Karunanayake drew the attention of Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa about the constant delay of the Finance and Planning Ministry to give answers to the questions raised by the Opposition for oral answers. Speaker informed the House he would inquire from the Finance Ministry Secretary as to why they were not prompt in answering questions raised by the Opposition Members during the oral answers session in Parliament.

The issue of traditional farming lands owned by the farmers were discussed in Parliament during an adjournment motion moved by the DNA MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The MP moving the motion alleged the Government was engaged in selling traditional farming lands owned by farmers and their children to companies.

The MP said priority should be given to provide lands to the children of farmers for cultivation purposes. He said the Government should not tarnish the image and the dignity of our farmers by turning them into labourers of foreign companies. Economic Development Deputy Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene who joined the debate said even though the DNA MP Dissanayake moved the motion, there was not even a single DNA MP to second his motion. It was seconded by UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekera.

The Deputy Minister informed the House the Government has not sold any land of the country straying from the law. The Government has pursued all land deals in a legal manner. While pursuing foreign investments, the Government has distributed land blocks among the farming community and other deserving people as well. UPFA MP Azwer told the House it is ridiculous of the JVP to enage in destructive politics, to speak of the land rights of farmers. There are certain elements who are anti- Government, anti-religious and anti-social. Therefore the Government should be vigilant over those elements.