UNP's debate on COL, a damp squib

Despite adequate time given by the Government to debate the UNP-sponsored adjournment motion on the cost of living issue, the Opposition members once again displaying their lackadaisical attitude were not even seen within the Chamber when the debate was in progress. Most of them had left after their speeches without showing any interest in their own motion.

The UNP-led Opposition as a matter of national importance moved an adjournment motion on the rising cost of living on Thursday and called upon the Government to provide relief to the people. The Government having given priority for the motion moved by UNP Parliamentarian Gayantha Karunathilaka ensured a full day debate for the Opposition to air their views. It was obvious that the Opposition under the cover of Parliamentary privileges raised the cost of living issue in Parliament merely to gain political mileage.

Instead of constructive criticism, most of the Opposition members made use of the opportunity to level baseless allegations against the Government.

If the Opposition moved this motion to exert any pressure on the Government eventually it turned out to be a futile attempt. The Opposition resorted to its usual tactics during the debate. The Opposition benches were seen empty during the debate as almost all Opposition MPs after their speeches had left the Chamber. At the end of the debate, only TNA MP R. Sampanthan was seen in the Chamber. There was not a single UNP or DNA member even listen to or interrupt the Government Ministers during the debate. This was a clear testimony to the present plight of the main Opposition UNP.

MP Karunathilaka who moved the motion called upon the Government to provide relief to the people who had faced severe hardships due to the rising cost of living.

The MP said the people believed that the Government would use the money voted for war against terrorism to grant some relief to them. But that hope has been shattered. Today Sri Lanka has became a country which imposes the highest number of taxes.

DNA MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake who seconded the motion stressed the need to train human resources to develop the country. Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne recalling the past gave a comprehensive reply to the allegations levelled by the Opposition members. The Premier said that the country has not achieved the desired development goals as all successive Governments since independence had been subsidising almost everything.

The Premier said that there was no truth in the allegation that the prices of food commodities had increased. He also outlined the prices of some essential food items and said that the poverty level has been reduced.

What the Opposition highlighted during the debate was that the Government had not done anything for the masses. The references by the Opposition members showed that they have not witnessed any massive development in the country or they are unable to acknowledge it due to their political bankruptcy. It seemed that they had no idea of that the prices of consumer items such as rice, vegetables and fish had dropped and the cost of living has eased to some extent.

Government parliamentarians who aired their views during the debate apprised the House on the significant progress achieved by the Government's development initiatives. However, the Opposition members failed to make any constructive criticism during the debate on the motion moved by them. Most of them had resorted to levelling baseless allegations against the Government to gain petty political mileage. Senior Minister Athauda Seneviratne said that the Opposition members spoke with malice during the debate.

UNP MP Gamini Jayawickrama Perera attempted to interpret the development in the country as a myth. However, Co-operatives and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando gave a detailed answer to the MP. The Minister who read out a price list of some food commodities queried if the cost of living is as high as claimed by the Opposition and how these prices had been stabilised in the market. Senior Minister for International Monetary Cooperation and Deputy Finance Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama who joined the debate made a comprehensive analysis of the significant economic development in the country. He briefed the House on how the Government has achieved a stable economy last year.

The live telecast of parliamentary proceedings turned into a hot topic in Parliament on Tuesday due to remarks by the Opposition members on the suspension of the live telecast. Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody responding to the Opposition members told the House that the live telecast of parliamentary sessions during the Budget debate was only a test transmission and its continuation would be considered by Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa when he returned to the country.

UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake who drew the attention of the Deputy Speaker demanded to know on whose orders the live telecast had been suspend. Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the live telecast was not done as a test transmission.

What the Speaker said on the last day of the Budget debate was that some members had abused this facility and warned that he would be compelled to suspended it if the members continued to repeat same. Wickremesinghe said that the Speaker in his speech never said that it was a test transmission.

UPFA parliamentarian A.H.M. Azwer said that under Standing Orders, no member can question an order by the Chair. This test transmission was not a rule or law. He told the House even other Parliaments don't telecast the entire proceedings live.

DNA MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that after the Budget debate, the House met for the first time on Tuesday. The MP asked how the live telecast had been suspended while the Speaker was absent. UNP MP Buddhika Pathirana said opening ceremonies are not held to launch test transmissions.

The LED screen at Parliament car park was opened at a gala ceremony. The suspension of live telecast is a breach of privilege of the 225 members. The Deputy Speaker said that the LED screen is functioning and it telecasts live proceedings. Only the telecast of Parliament proceedings via the PEO TV has not been done.

There is no agreement between Parliament and the PEO TV to telecast parliamentary proceedings alive and that was only a test transmission. After evaluating the results of this pilot project, the continuation of the live telecast would be considered The move by the Speaker to introduce the test transmission needs to be appreciated. Therefore, it is wrong to interpret this as a breach of privilege, the Deputy Speaker said.

A Private Member's Bill moved by UNP parliamentarian Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe to provide for "fair, independent and impartial trial to judges of the superior courts in the case of a resolution for their removal" was defeated in Parliament on Tuesday by a majority of 38 votes. When the MP got up to present the Bill titled 'Removal of judges of the Superior Courts (Special Provisions) Bill', Leader of the House Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said the Bill cannot be permitted and asked for a division.

Accordingly a vote was taken and 72 votes were cast against the Bill and 34 in favour. The UNP, DNA and TNA members voted for the Bill. Later the Deputy Speaker told the House that the Bill could not be allowed to be presented as it had been defeated in the vote.