Casino Gazette on hold

Although attempts were made by the Opposition to make a hue and cry in and outside Parliament during the past few

weeks on the proposed regulations to be introduced under the Strategic Development Projects Act, the Government was concerned with views expressed by Opposition political parties as well as some constituent partners of the UPFA and decided to withdraw the casino gazette notification from the Parliament Order Book.

Before the commencement of Tuesday's proceedings, Chief Opposition Whip, John Amaratunga queried from the Leader of the House and Irrigation Minister, Nimal Siripala de Silva as reported by the media whether any decision was taken to postpone the debate on the regulations under the Strategic Development Projects Act which had been scheduled to be debated on October 24 and 25. However, the Minister who did not respond to Amaratunga's claim on the floor of the House informed him that the Government would announce its decision at the Party Leader's meeting to be held in the evening. The UNP in a media communique issued also disclosed the decision taken by the Parliament Group to vote against the controversial casino gazette if the Government presented it to Parliament again.

Later Minister De Silva informed the Government's decision to withdraw the gazette from the Order Book at the Party Leader's meeting held at the Parliament complex on Tuesday evening. The Minister conveyed to Party Leaders that the Government had shelved the controversial gazette from the Order Book, the Convention against Doping in the Sports Bill and the Buddhist Temporalities (Amendment) Bill would be taken for debate instead.

Investment Promotion Minister, Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena on Thursday withdrew two regulations brought under the Strategic Development Projects Act for approval to construct two luxury hotel complexes in Colombo. Even though the Government categorically announced its position to withdraw the Casino gazette, Opposition legislators during the other debates continuously referred to the issue to gain political mileage.

Public Management Reforms Minister, Navin Dissanayake who participated in Wednesday's debate on four regulations under the Inland Revenue Act, also made certain references on the controversial Casino gazette.. The Minister pointed out to UNP MP, Sajith Premadasa how President Mahinda Rajapaksa was flexible enough to withdraw this Casino gazette notification following views expressed by political parties and religious leaders. The Minister told MP Premadasa, that if Ranil Wickremesinghe was in power, he would have never withdrawn the Gazette notification.

The Appropriation Bill 2014 presented by Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva on Tuesday saw the largest allocation being made to the Defence and Urban Development Ministry. The bill has made allocations under the financial Heads of 63 Ministries, the President and another 22 state institutions responsible to the legislature. Among key financial outlays for Ministries for the next year include Ports and Highways, Health, Mass Media and Information and Higher Education.

The other notable allocations made included Public Relations, Economic Development and the Law and Order Ministries. President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his capacity as Finance Minister is scheduled to present Budget 2014 in Parliament on November 21. A tense situation was erupted in the House following a controversial statement made by UNP Parliamentarian, Mangala

Samaraweera about his security, the MP who raised a privilege issue in Parliament said he had reliable information about a plot to assassinate him in the run-up to CHOGM. Speaker who turned a serious note to the MP's statement informed him as the custodian of the House, he would not provide room to lose the confidence placed in him.

The Speaker said this was a matter of concern to him as he and MP Samaraweera entered Parliament together. Therefore, the Speaker ordered the Inspector General of Police to provide adequate security to the MP. The Speaker said he would summon security officials and inquire into allegations made by the MP. Speaker also directed the IGP to provide equal protection to all Parliamentarians.

The Speaker informed the House that he would allow Samaraweera to make his statement in Parliament as he was concerned about his security. However, the MP in his statement said a contract has been given to two underworld characters to assassinate him. The Speaker interrupted the MP's speech and informed him not to raise references made by third parties as a privilege issue. The Speaker told the MP that he allowed him to raise the privilege matter as there was an issue with regard to his security as he claims. The Speaker informed the MP not to refer to matters where there was no evidence.

A giant LED digital screen was unveiled by Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa at the Jayanthipura visitors' car park of the Parliamentary Complex on Wednesday to provide live telecast of parliamentary proceedings to the public. The Speaker who addressed the gathering said this would be the first step towards providing live telecasts of parliamentary proceedings so that the public would have the opportunity to see how their representatives conducted themselves in Parliament.

The Speaker maintained the view that the public should be given every opportunity to assess the conduct of those whom they have elected to represent them.

The Speaker said he considers this as a giant step towards safeguarding the democratic rights of the people. He said in the event certain remarks made by MPs were expunged from the Hansard on the grounds of unparliamentary language, the public would still be watching it alive.

The numbers in the Cabinet and its expenditure once again came into the limelight on the floor of the House due to certain remarks made by UNP MP, Iran Wickremesinghe .

The MP said the biggest Cabinet in the world is being maintained by Sri Lanka with a colossal waste of public funds.The Government says the country is heading towards prosperity but only a limited section of the population were prosperous, he said.

However, Ports and Highways Projects Minister, Rohitha Abeygunawardena who responded to the MP's claim pointed out how a large number of State, Cabinet, Projects, Deputy and Provincial Ministers were appointed during the tenure of President J.R. Jayawardena.

The Minister queried what the UNP did for the betterment of the people and for the development of the country. He querried whether those UNP Ministers constructed any expressways, ports or airports? The Minister pointed out how the Government under President Mahinda Rajapaksa's leadership had launched a massive development drive throughout the country.