Strong growth momentum to continue

Senior Minister for International Monetary Co-operation Dr.Sarath Amunugama who joined the adjournment motion on exports and imports regulations moved by the Opposition explained to the House with details how the well balanced economic management adopted by the Government has paved the way to be included among the first five nations which had recorded the fastest economic growth in the recent past.

Dr. Amunugama maintained the view that Sri Lanka might not obtain the last two tranches of the IMF as the country's economy has been growing rapidly. The Minister's broader view was that this strong growth momentum will further continue. Referring to the remarks made by the Opposition members in their speeches, the Minister informed the House that the inflation is under control and the country may not need to obtain the last two instalments of the IMF loan. Despite the withdrawal of the GSP Plus facility, Sri Lankan exports to Europe continued to grow. Dr. Amunugama pointed out the number of foreign investors coming to invest in the country was on the rise owing to the prevailing peaceful situation created within the country.

Despite the remarks made by the Opposition that our economy would face a severe crisis as the economy in Europe was facing a recess, Dr.Amunugama reiterated the Government's economic policies have been perfect while the global surveys have also confirmed the economy of Sri Lanka was stable. The Minister pointed out, when the European countries have gone down to negative territory in ratings, Sri Lankan economy is in B plus as it had been successful. Even the IMF has also commended on our economy.

UNP Parliamentarian Dr. Harsha de Silva who joined the debate on behalf of the Opposition drew the attention of the House on the increase of the trade deficit. The MP pointed out this kind of large trade deficit has not been created in the country. The MP was of the view that in order to develop the local economy, we have to be export-oriented and stressed the need of strengthening the bilateral ties with foreign countries.

The Deputy Health Minister Lalith Dissanayake who responded to the remarks made by the UNP MP Harsha de Silva told the House, at present, the Opposition has not been able to find out any constructive criticism against the Government. They bring one motion, but speaks about a completely different topic. The Deputy Minister said it was their own party men who attacked the UNP Headquarters Sirikotha. Even the Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe who admit this fact, says his party has been divided. However, the Deputy Minister said if the UNP move this kind of adjournment motions, the people will not vote for them. A political party will not be able to come to power through people's struggles. When a political party Leader publicly says that he is being attacked by his own party men, nobody will vote for that kind of Leader. Deputy Minister Dissanayake told Dr. Harsha de Silva, instead of making a big fuss about China, the UNP should sort out their internal party disputes.

DNA MP Sunil Handunneththi who joined the debate pointed out that charging taxes is not a new source of income for the Government. This is just only a move introduced for the existence of the Government. MP said the country's foreign reserves has been dipped from Rs.8 billion to Rs.6 billion. Fines, taxes and loans have turned into the key economic policy of the Government.

The newly opened Southern expressway turned into a key topic in Parliament during the debate on new regulations introduced for users of expressways in the country. If the Government members who joined the debate highlighted the importance of the expressway, the Opposition members attempted to point out various shortcomings made on the construction of the expressway. Ports and Road Development Deputy Minister Nirmala Kothalawala who commenced the debate on behalf of the Government informed the House, if various speculations were made before the construction of the Southern expressway, it has become very popular among the people today. The construction of the expressway has been helped the people to save their time and this is another victory achieved by the country's people. The Deputy Minister informed the House the Government intends to construct similar expressway network throughout the country.

Chief Opposition Whip John Amaratunga noted the Opposition does not oppose to these new regulations introduced for the expressways. However, he pointed out a question has arisen whether this expressway has been constructed according to the accepted standards. The MP in his speech also drew the attention of the House on the increase of deaths and injuries due to road accidents.

Deputy Minister Nirmala Kothalawala who interrupted MP Amaratunga informed him that most of these road accidents have occurred due to reckless drivers who have driven their vehicles by exceeding the normal speed limits. The Chief Opposition Whip in his speech also raised the point of charging money from Parliamentarians who used the expressway. Deputy Minister Nirmala Kothalawala who responded to Amaratunga told him except President and Prime Minister, all Ministers and MPs are subjected to pay. However, the Deputy Minister queried, who requested at the Party Leader's meeting not to charge money from Parliamentarians who use this expressway? The UNP MP Gayantha Karunathilake said key attention should be focused on the safety of the people rather than issuing them penalties. The MP pointed out 233 school children had been killed last year due to road accidents. But he pointed out the total number of people killed due to road accidents last year was 2,697.

UPFA MP Namal Rajapaksa speaking during the debate, informed the House that over 650,000 people have already used the Southern Expressway and the income gained from the expressway is nearly Rs.188 million. However the MP stressed the need of increase the maximum speed limit of the expressway to 120Km per hour. He said he regularly uses the expressway and its current speed limit of 100Km must be increased to 120Km so that the time spent by the users would be reduced. The MP also proposed to introduce a day-pass system for the benefit of regular users of the expressway.

UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake who joined the debate appreciated the move by Government to construct the expressway. He informed the House, if the Government attempts to get the full credit of the construction of this expressway, it was the UNP which first started to construct this expressway. Karunanayake told the House they raise these questions on behalf of the country's people and not with any hatred with the Government. The MP also raised a privilege matter against some English and Sinhala newspapers for erroneously reporting that he had been fined for driving above the speed limit of the Southern expressway. The MP informed the House that his privileges had been infringed by these news reports and requested the Speaker to take action to ensure his rights.

Responding to a special statement made by the DNA MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr.Rajitha Senaratne informed the Parliament that a section of the media had been targeting him since he took the underworld and narcotics dealers. The Minister accused the media of being involved in the campaign of tarnishing his political image at the behest of some sinister elements.