Opposition MPs absent during answer sessions

Although Government Ministers and Deputy Ministers were present in the Chamber on Tuesday to answer questions raised by the Opposition parliamentarians, they had to table their answers as most of the Opposition MPs were absent during the question session. It has become routine for the Opposition to draw the continuous attention of Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa to the absence of Government Ministers and Deputy Ministers to answer questions. Although there were Ministers present yet the six Opposition MPs who had raised questions were not in the chamber, despite the Opposition very often raising a big hue and cry that Government Ministers are often absent during question time.

Transport Minister Kumara Welgama who stood up to answer a question by UNP MP Akila Viraj Kariyawasam drew the attention of Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody about the absence of the MP. Minister Welgama pointing his finger at Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe told the House that the Opposition MP was not in the chamber despite the big hue and cry always raised by the Opposition Leader on the absence of Government Ministers to answer questions.

The Opposition Leader who was on his feet commended the Minister for his presence. He also told the House that he would call for explanations from the six UNP MPs including Party General Secretary Tissa Attanayake, Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, Buddhika Pathirana, Ranjan Ramanayake and Rosy Senanayake who were not present in the Chamber during question time.

Senior Minister for International Monetary Cooperation Dr. Sarath Amunugama gave a detailed answer to a question raised by UNP MP Sajith Premadasa on the distribution of the national income among the rich and the poor. MP Premadasa who was not satisfied with the answer given by the Minister told him that he was not familiar with what he said.

However, the Minister told him to listen to him patiently as he was giving a detailed answer to his question. The program initiated by the Government to uplift the standard of the poor to the level of the middle class has achieved successful results, the Minister said adding that he could only answer questions which are relevant.

A question by UNP MP Gayantha Karunathilake seeking an answer from Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Amaraweera ended in the issue of UNP's Leadership Council. When MP Karunathilake attempted to show that the weather forecast by the Meteorological Department were not always accurate, Minister Amaraweera told him in lighter vein that the weather forecast was more accurate than the promises given by the UNP Leadership Board.

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne who introducing the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (Amendment) Bill before the House said the new legislation was being enacted in keeping with Si Lanka's obligations under the international agreements to prevent, deter and eliminate unreported and unregulated fishing in high seas.

He said that the fisheries industry in Sri Lanka contributes significantly to nutrition, employment, food security and Government revenue.

The local fish production has recorded a fifty percent increase last year which is the highest in its history.

Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Minister Douglas Devananda said that the international norms and rules are blatantly violated by the intruding fishermen of our neighbouring country. These intruders not only illegally enter our territorial waters but also use internationally banned fishing methods, seriously affecting the livelihoods of the Northern fishermen.

UPFA MP Sudarshani Fernandopulle said, "we should thank President Mahinda Rajapaksa for liberating two thirds of the sea area from terrorists and providing the opportunity for our fishermen to engage in their fishing activities". She said, however, the Opposition is blind to these positive developments.

The Government has achieved an unprecedented development in the fisheries sector.

The problems relating to the agriculture sector and farmers turned into the main topic on the floor of the House due to the adjournment motion moved by DNA parliamentarian Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

When UNP MP P. Harison who seconded the motion attempted to say that the Government had failed to address the problems faced by farmers, Minister Mahinda Amaraweera recalled the how the agriculture sector was destroyed during the UNP regime.

He said that the Bata Atha seed farm was to be sold during the UNP regime. While the debate was on, Deputy Health Minister Lalith Dissanayake queried as to the purpose of conducting the debate as the two Opposition MPs who moved and seconded the motion were not in the Chamber.

After the adjournment debate, the House was adjourned until 1 pm on November 21. President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his capacity as Finance and Planning Minister will present the Budget 2014 in Parliament on November 21. The second reading of the budget will continue for seven days following the Budget Speech by the President.

The vote on the Second Reading of the Budget is due on November 29.

The Committee Stage debate will begin on November 30 and continue till December 20. The final vote of the Budget will be taken up on December 20.

Leader of the House and Irrigation and Water Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva presented the Appropriation Bill in Parliament on October 22 with total government expenditure estimated at Rs.1,542 billion for next year.

The biggest allocation of Rs.253 billion was for the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development.

Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody told Parliament on Tuesday that strict security measures would be in place on November 20 and 21 in an around the Parliament premises in view of the budget proposals to be presented by President Rajapaksa.

Security measures by the forces will include search and cleaning all halls and rooms in the Parliament complex including the MPs' rooms and cloak rooms and the areas surrounding Parliament.

The Deputy Speaker told the House that the Public Gallery would be open only to the invitees on November 21 when the President delivers the Budget Speech. Special traffic arrangements too would be in place by the Traffic police and police stations in and around Parliament.