President demonstrates political maturity once again

The 13th Amendment to the Constitution, Provincial Councils and devolution of power are the hot topics in political circles these days. Though the masses care less on those, most Government and Opposition politicians were seen indulging themselves in extensive debates on these hot topics.

There was no exception in the Government camp. It is obvious as the ruling UPFA comprises of several constituent parties with the SLFP being the largest of them all. The ongoing debates on the 13th Amendment brought a fresh storm to the UPFA. But unlike the UNP, the UPFA is a democratic platform that allows its members and constituent parties to air different views and debate on it at length.

Though the UNP talks about five-star democracy, its leader Ranil Wickremesinghe’s iron fist has forced all reformists to refrain from expressing their views. In contrast, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has allowed members of the constituent parties to express different views. They debate extensively but ultimately come to a common conclusion.

The Opposition had day dreams of toppling the Government when a team of ruling party senior parliamentarians and party leaders called a news conference to express their support for the 13th Amendment. Ministers D.E.W. Gunasekera, Tissa Vitharana, Rajitha Senaratne and Reginald Cooray were among those who took part at the news conference that was called by the pro 13A group in the Government.

That gave fresh hopes to the Opposition which is unable to capture power democratically. Hence, they thought that the Opposition could some impact by capitalising on that move of ministers. But it was only an occasion of expressing different views and not any against the Government as the Opposition anticipated. Finally it became another shattered dream for the Opposition.

The SLFP, the main constituent party of the ruling UPFA summoned a meeting of its parliamentary group last week under the patronage of President Rajapaksa. “Where is our Kalutara team,” he said while arriving at the meeting.

The political maturity and wisdom was amply demonstrated in the manner in which the President handled the issue as the SLFP parliamentary group eventually came to a unanimous decision on the 13th Amendment.

Ministers Rajitha Senaratne and Reginald Cooray had previously joined fellow ministers D.E.W. Gunasekera and Tissa Vitharana in showing extraordinary affiliation to the 13th Amendment. “As a party SLFP should have one stance and policy. If party members or groups within the party try to express various personal views, it could affect the party’s view,” the President said at the outset of the parliamentary group meeting.

“I am the leader of the party as well as the Head of State. But if my express my personal views, it could be taken as a principle. The SLFP was defeated in 1977 due to differences of opinion within the Government rankers at that time. Hence, give up your personal views and agendas and stand by the stance and policy of the party,” the President added.

Nimal Siripala de Silva

Dinesh Gunawardene

Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene

SLFP General Secretary, Minister Maithripala Sirisena then stood up and gave an extensive briefing on party discipline and the importance of working as a team with collective responsibility.

Ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Rohitha Abeygunawardena criticised all those who had acted against the party’s stance.

“The SLFP should have one firm stand on that. Rohitha Abeygunawardena may have a different view point but I will respect the party’s stance and act accordingly,” Abeygunawardena said.

Sports Minister Aluthgamage too joined Rohitha saying that they should have collective responsibility and respect the party’s stance. “If we express different political views as individuals, that would harm the party and the future of our Government. We should not do that,” Mahindananda said. Ultimately, Ministers Rajitha Senaratne and Reginald Cooray spoke at length, giving a detailed overview of the sacrifices they have made for the party and the efforts made to resurrect the party at difficult times.

It was only after Minister Mervyn Silva began talking that the parliamentarians had a laugh in their faces. “HE the President, I am opening my mouth after long time. I remember an old story during Buddha’s time,…….” Mervyn said relating an ancient story. “When you go to heaven, you must identify the right people to take along with you. All can’t go to heaven,” he said.

Referring to an internal clash between two parliamentarians in Kalutara District regarding opening of a public project, Mervyn had a different solution. “I have my own solution for such issues. Let us appoint one minister in charge of all project openings. All opening ceremonies of public projects should be made through that minister. You appoint me as the subject minister for openings and I will take good care of all those,” Mervyn told the President.

Dinesh sees PC system as a failure

Contrary to the view expressed by Rajitha, Reginald and four others, Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) leader and Chief Government Whip Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said his party viewed the Provincial Council system to be an utter failure.

He added that the Provincial Council system has proved ineffective and redundant -- and said a new system based on the district should be evolved to ensure that administrative and political power is delegated to the grass-roots level.

Addressing a separate press conference in Colombo on Thursday to announce the MEP’s stand on the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, Minister Gunawardena said his party as a key ally of the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government is of the view that the Legislature lost its supremacy due to the 13th Amendment to the Constitution and all its provisions which undermined the supremacy of the legislature -- and should therefore be abolished forthwith. Minister Gunwardena said free health and education services deteriorated due to the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. “The MEP appreciates the government’s attempt to abolish all provisions in the Constitution that are leading to clashes between the Central government and the Provincial Councils. “The MEP has tabled a set of proposals for a system based on the district for the administration and development and reorganization of the government structure,” he said.

He said the country’s development will never be hampered due to the abolition of Provincial Councils in the country. The Minister said that the country has seen massive development due to numerous projects launched by the Central Government and the district administrative system is also playing a vigorous role for the development of country. “The country’s development will never be hampered in the absence of Provincial Council system”, he said. The democratic people in the country expect a change in the 13th Amendment to the Constitution for which they empowered the government with a 233 majority.

Minister Gunawardena said the 13th Amendment to the Constitution is illegal document as five out of 09 Supreme Court Judges upheld that it was inconsistent with the Constitution. The merger of North and the East is detrimental to the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Provisions enshrined in the 13th Amendment to the Constitution has undermined the supremacy of the Legislature. “The clauses in the 13th Amendment are contradictory and the supremacy of the Legislature has deteriorated due to the 13th Amendment on which the Provincial Council system was set up.

President in Tanzania

President Rajapaksa left for Tanzania on the first leg of his five-day official visit which is expected to end tomorrow after touring Seashells. The Presidential delegation arrived at the Julius Nyerere International Airport in Tanzania on Thursday morning. Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete warmly welcomed President Rajapaksa at the airport.

A girl presented a bouquet of flowers to the President while native dancers performed at the welcoming ceremony. The President was also accorded a Guard of Honour and gun salute. Not only will this be President Rajapaksa’s first visit to both countries, but it will also be the first of any Sri Lankan President.

President Rajapaksa held bilateral discussions with his Tanzanian counterpart and also attend the International Smart Partnership Dialogue in the city of Dar es Salaam. During the lengthy discussions, the two leaders focused attention on several areas of bilateral cooperation, including the economy, investment, trade, technology and tourism. President Rajapaksa elaborated on present investment opportunities in Sri Lanka and invited Tanzanian investors to make use of those opportunities. The President apprised the Tanzanian President of preparations to host 2013 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (2013) in Sri Lanka. President Kikwete while reaffirming his support for a successful Summit in Sri Lanka, pledged his country’s cooperation with Sri Lanka at various international fora. The Tanzanian President hosted the Sri Lankan delegation to a State Banquet at the State House.

Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete while reaffirming his country’s support for Sri Lanka’s hosting of the 2013 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), pledged that he would persuade other Commonwealth members of Africa to participate. He gave this assurance during bilateral discussions with President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is on a state visit to Tanzania.

President Rajapaksa while apprising the Tanzanian President of Sri Lanka’s preparation to host 2013 CHOGM, invited Tanzania to take part in the Commonwealth Business Forum on the sideline of the Summit.

The Tanzanian President said he will send a substantial delegation to the forum. President Kikwete said he has not heard of any African country saying it will not participate at the forthcoming CHOGM. External Affairs Minister Prof G.L. Peiris, Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Public Relations and Public Affairs Minister Mervyn Silva, Monitoring MP of the Ministry of External Affairs Sajin De Vaas Gunawardene, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga and Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal were also present at the discussion.

‘Teacher-kneeler’ granted bail

Former Wayamba Provincial Council member Ananda Sarath Kumara (27) remanded in connection with an incident, in which he allegedly ordered a female teacher to kneel before him, was released on Rs 5,000 cash and two personal bail bonds of Rs. 500,000 each when produced before the Anamaduwa Magistrate on Friday.

The Magistrate also ordered him to report to Navagattegama Police on the last Sunday of each month.

A large crowd including Puttalam District Parliamentarian Arundika Fernando was present at the Court premises to receive Kumara after he was released on bail.

Meanwhile the North Western Provincial Councillor granted bail by the Anamaduwa magistrate for ordering a teacher to kneel down as a punishment, dashed coconuts at the Iyyanayake Devale seeking redress.

Ananda Sarath Kumara was arrested for forcing a teacher of Navodya Vidayalaya in Nawagaththegama to kneel down as a punishment. His supporters received him as he came out of the court premises and was taken around Anamaduwa town. Kumara was later taken to the devale where he dashed coconuts seeking redress. Kumara was arrested following a complaint lodged by the school’s disciplinary teacher.

President graces ANCL Aloka Pooja

President Mahinda Rajapaksa switched on the Mihintale Aloka Pooja at Mihintale last Sunday,amidst the chanting of seth pirith by the maha sangha headed by Mihintalaya Raja Maha Vihara Chief Incumbent Ven Walawahengunawewa Dhammarathana Nayake Thera. The event conducted by the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited for the 51st year was sponsored by Abans Ltd. Ven. Dhammarathana Nayaka Thera in his Anusasana explained how President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s involvement and guidance helped renovate and rehabilitate the dilapidated monuments of the Mihintale Sacred City.

The Thera explaining the religious significance of the site said throughout the 2320 years and specially during the 30 years of LTTE terrorism, the sacred city could survive, which speaks of the miraculous strength and force dominating the historic site.

The lighting of Mihintale as a custom was inaugurated by King Devanampiyatissa at the four corners of the sacred city during Arahat Mahinda’s stay in Anuradhapura. Today, President Rajapaksa illuminated the sacred place repeating history, he said.

On arrival at Mihintale, President Rajapaksa he waited for a few minutes inquiring about the organiser for the electorate. “It is not fair to go without our organizer,” the President said and it was only after the arrival of Minister Duminda Dissanayake, the SLFP organizer for Mihintale electorate, that President entered the site. He first unveiled the Samadi Buddha statue at the main entrance to the Mihintale Sacred Site and later unveiled a plaque.

Later, the water spout designed and constructed by the Civil Security Department was opened by the President. North Central Governor Karunaratne Divulgane, Chief Minister S.M. Ranjith Samarakoon, Ministers Duminda Dissanayake, Tissa Karalliyadde, Jagath Balasooriya and Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Deputy Ministers S M. Chandrasena and W.B. Ekanayake, Parliamentarians Shehan Semasinghe, Lake House Chairman and Managing Director Bandula Padmakumara, Director Editorial Seelaratne Senarath and others were present.

Minister Abeywardane elected Vice Chairman at FAO conference

Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane was elected Vice Chairman at the 38th session of the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Conference held in Rome, Italy last week.

The 38th session of the FAO was held with the participation of 196 member countries and Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane is the first Sri Lankan who was elected as the Vice Chairman of the FAO Conference.

Minister Abeywardane said the agriculture sector is the foundation of Sri Lanka’s economy. He said over 70% of the population living in rural areas depend on agriculture for their livelihood. It contributes 13% to the Gross Domestic Product, and employees 33% of the workforce. Despite a small island, Sri Lanka has a considerable potential for economic growth through agricultural sector, and therefore the Government is very optimistic of the persuasive need to attain food and nutrition security in the country through self - sufficiency.

“The Government of Sri Lanka implemented a National Campaign, called “Let Us cultivate and uplift the Nation during 2007 - 2010, to accelerate domestic food production. Having identified the impact of soaring food prices, and recognized enhancing food production as the main strategy to cope up with rising food prices, the Government continued with its national Campaign, by giving high priority to it, while also implementing an additional programme; a special home gardening project termed “Divi Neguma’“to increase vegetable production, and making available the harvest throughout the year to stabilize market prices,” he said.

“The intention of this project was to establish 2.5 million domestic units covering all villages in the country. Its prime objective is to strengthen peoples’ economic status and minimize their dependency on market for food and nutrition requirement. These programmes aim to raise food production through distribution of high yielding seeds and providing training, technical and credit facility etc.

A High Level Committee on Food and Nutrition Security and Monitoring of Cost of Living chaired by President Mahinda Rajapaksa meets regularly to review the food situation in the country, price movement in the market and other developments in these fields to make policy directives to address the issues arising therein.

Moreover the Government has introduced following policy measures being complementary to brace up afore said programs.

Pakistan 9.3 million grant for hand looms

The Government of Pakistan through its High Commission in Sri Lanka is collaborating with Sri Lanka to revive the handloom sector in Mirigama, to strengthen this cottage industry and providing self-employment to the people of the area.

The cooperation envisages training of 75 people, providing them with handlooms, hand winders, accessories and raw material. In addition to the direct beneficiaries, hundreds of people will gain indirect employment from the cottage industry.

In this regard, the High Commissioner of Pakistan, Major General (Retired) Qasim Qureshi met Basil Rajapaksa, Minister of Economic Development last week, to present the instrument for US $ 72,000 grant. During the meeting, the High Commissioner informed Minister about the focus of Pakistan’s new government on deepening economic and commercial cooperation, especially with the regional countries.

He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment towards further strengthening friendly bilateral ties with Sri Lanka.

Pakistan has a strong, thriving and vibrant textile sector, with cotton production and entire value addition chain, including production of yarn, fabric, dyeing and printing, knitwear, and apparel.

Textiles are the largest manufacturing sector in Pakistan’s economy and accounts for US $ 12.6 billion annual exports.

Along with established large-scale mechanized industrial textile units, Pakistan has also developed its handloom industry, which is providing employment to thousands of families. Brand names like Khaadi and Bunnat have secured international recognition due to excellent quality, creative designs, eco-friendly production, and aesthetic appeal.

Pakistan is ready to extend its technical expertise in the handloom cottage industry to Sri Lanka through imparting training and capacity building programs.