Lanka scored many milestones in a few years

The main Opposition UNP's lackadaisical attitude was again exposed on the floor of the House on Thursday when no Opposition member listed to speak at the commencement of the debate on third reading of Budget 2014 was present in the Chamber. This led Chief Opposition Whip John Amaratunga to follow an unparliamentary tradition in calling upon Government legislators to commence the debate.

However, Chief Government Whip and Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena turning down Amaratunga's request proposed to take a vote and pass the Expenditure Heads of Highways, Ports and Shipping, Civil Aviation, Power and Energy and Petroleum Industries ministries without a debate.

The Minister held the view that there was no point in continuing the debate without Opposition speakers. The Chief Opposition Whip asked UNP MP Akila Viraj Kariyawasam whose name was not in the Speaker's list to commence the debate on behalf of the Opposition. The MP made an impromptu speech.

The following day the Chief Opposition Whip disagreed with UNP MP Sajith Premadasa on the number of questions to be raised and time allocated for question time. He told MP Premadasa that the number of questions and the time allocated had been finalised at the Party Leaders’ Meeting. Amaratunga said so in response to a query raised by Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody who was in the Chair.

MP Premadasa raising a Point of Order complained that no sufficient time had been given for supplementary questions. He asked to reduce the number of questions to be raised and allocate more time for supplementary questions. The Deputy Speaker told the MP to take up this matter at the Party Leaders’ Meeting. On inquiry by the Deputy Speaker MP Amaratunga said that the Opposition stands by the decision arrived at the Party Leaders’ Meeting. Both MPs Sajith Premadasa and Ravi Karunanayake who protested against the lack of time for supplementary questions had to remain silent in the face of MP Amaratunga's response to the Deputy Speaker.

Instead of talking about the positive aspects of CHOGM, the Opposition members were critical of it. Chief Opposition Whip John Amaratunga who opened the debate on behalf of the Opposition attempted to highlight CHOGM 2013 as the summit attended by the least member of World Leaders. Amaratunga said although the UNP had decided to participate in the CHOGM, it had to change its mind due to attempts by mobs to attack Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe at Sirikotha two days prior to the Summit.

One of the key objectives of the Commonwealth is to safeguard democracy. If that is not fulfilled, the UNP was of the view that there was no use in attending CHOGM. Chief Government Whip and Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena who interrupted Amaratunga queried whether the UNP was opposed to holding CHOGM in Sri Lanka.

Amaratunga quoted certain remarks by British Prime Minister David Cameron. He told the House that if there was a group of so-called anti-imperialist Ministers in this Government, why didn’t they utter even a word to safeguard the President when Cameron made those remarks.

Amaratunga also commended the impartial manner in which Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa and his staff are performing their duties in Parliament. He regretted that due recognition had not been given to the Opposition Leader. He recalled two recent incidents where the Opposition Leader had faced mob attacks. The MP said no investigation had been conducted so far against those who were responsible for those attacks. He also had doubts about the recent incident where a ‘mapila’ was found in the Opposition Leader’s office in Parliament.

Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne responding to Amaratunga’s claim told the House that the Government had decided to provide a new vehicle and a building to the Opposition Leader following his request. He said this was clear testimony to the Government’s sincere commitment to safeguard democracy. The Opposition Leader who appreciated the Prime Minister's move told him that a vehicle and a building were inadequate for the Opposition to fulfill its responsibilities. He stressed the need for a democratic environment for the Opposition to engage in politics.

The Premier also responded to the remarks by the Chief Opposition Whip on CHOGM expenditure. He said Sri Lanka as the host country for CHOGM gained pride and international recognition. He also explained how the CHOGM helped Sri Lanka to attract a lot of Foreign Direct Investments. He said the election of President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Chairman of 53 Commonwealth countries was another significant achievement by Sri Lanka in the international fora. The Prime Minister stressed that the expenditure on CHOGM did not have any adverse effect on the country's economy.

The Premier who held a press conference at his Parliamentary Office also referred to the claims by Opposition members during the Budget debate on the provision under the Presidency. He said financial provision have been made for 22 institutions under the the Presidency. When the funds allocated to these 22 institutions are counted, it could be seen as a big financial allocation.

UPFA parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa who joined in the debate on the Defence and Urban Development Ministry told the House about the tasks accomplished by the Government to rehabilitate 12,000 ex-LTTE terrorists and integrate them into mainstream society.

The MP told the House that the Government had given books and provided vocational training for the Northern youth who carried weapons earlier. Nearly 3,000 rehabilitated youth have been recruited to the Civil Defence Force. MP Rajapaksa said it was regrettable that Northern political parties don’t utter a single word about these significant developments in the North.

The TNA which makes a big hue and cry for democracy had aligned themselves with insidious forces who were instrumental in setting fire to the Jaffna library and sabotaging the District Development Council Election. One of the most important aspects in MP Rajapaksa's speech was the reference to national security. He told the House when it comes to the issue of national security, everybody should join hands to uphold it irrespective of political differences.

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa who spoke during the debate on the vote of his Ministry referred to certain remarks by the Opposition MPs on the Divi Neguma Bill. The Minister categorically rejected the claim by the Opposition that the Divi Neguma Bill was passed in Parliament in an illegal manner. He told the House the Bill was presented before the House with all the salient features in keeping with the Supreme Court order.

The President introduced the concept of Divi Neguma with the sole purpose of uplifting the income level of each family. The Minister said the construction of roads and other infrastructure development projects are investments for the future generation. Citing an example, Minister Rajapaksa said the war in Vietnam ended 65 years ago. However, Sri Lanka had made significant progress within a duration of 3-4 years after the end of terrorism. In his lengthy speech the Minister made a comprehensive analysis on the massive development drive carried out by his Ministry over the past few years. He said the UNP levels various baseless allegations due to its political bankruptcy.