FTAs brought about changes in national economy

Senior Minister for International Monetary Cooperation and Deputy Finance and Planning Minister Dr.Sarath Amunugama moving Regulations under the Imports and Exports Act in Parliament called upon the Opposition to do away with its traditional confrontational politics and consider the resource skills of the country. He reaffirmed that the Government had already formulated plans up to 2020 to take forward the country.

Commencing the debate Dr.Amunugama made a comprehensive analysis of the significant changes effected since President Mahinda Rajapaksa assumed office. He told the House how various Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) signed by the Government with neighbouring countries had paved the way for important changes in the national economy. Dr. Amunugama said that the House should discuss the significant improvement of the imports and exports due to the FTAs with India, Pakistan, Japan and China. The Minister described the official visits by World Leaders and other foreign dignitaries as a sign of firm confidence reposed in the stable economy of Sri Lanka.

Citing an example, Dr. Amunugama said the recent visit of the Japanese Prime Minister helped bring tangible economic benefits to the country. He said the Chinese President will also visit Sri Lanka shortly and it would also create an environment conducive to reach an FTA with China. The Minister said that avenues are being created to further strengthen the trade relations with China and Japan. He said during the Chinese President's visit extensive discussions would be held on the trade sector. Responding to a query by the UNP members, the minister told them in lighter vein that nobody would dare to jump into a house like the UNP which is under fire. Chief Opposition Whip John Amaratunga who interrupted the Minister inquired whether these FTAs will help reduce the cost -of-living burden on the people. The Minister said the FTA to be signed with China will make significant changes.

UNP parliamentarian Eran Wickremaratne who commenced his speech in an aggressive manner said whoever comes from China, Japan or US, it would be difficult to prevent the forming of a UNP Government next year. Wickremaratne told Minister Amunugama that when he talks about the economy to compare Sri Lanka only with other smaller developing countries in the region such as Vietnam as there is no use of comparing Sri Lanka with bigger countries such as China or US. He called upon the Minister to learn lessons from a smaller, fast developing country such as Vietnam. MP Wickremeratne said merely putting up buildings does not reflect the actual economic development of the country. He asked the Minister to visit the Ho chi Min city and see for himself the huge investments flowing into the city.

UPFA parliamentarian Tilanga Sumathipala who joined in the debate said Eran Wickremeratne spoke like an MP supporting the "Mahinda Chinthana". Unfortunately he could not understand the analysis by Dr. Sarath Amunugama. The MP was very critical of the UNP's privatisation scheme. MP Sumathipala said no former Government had invested in higher education and vocational training as the incumbent Government does. The Opposition MPs have no proper understanding of the development taking place in the country.

DNA MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the living conditions of the majority of the people are pathetic. He regretted that at present the highest foreign exchange revenue is earned by sending women to foreign countries as housemaids.

Investment Promotion Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena who presenting an order under the Strategic Development Projects Act made a detailed analysis of the increased Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows to the country. Quoting statistics on FDI inflows, he told the House of the total number of FDI inflows from 1978 up to the second quarter of 2014, 74 percent of it had been attracted during President Mahinda Rajapaksa's tenure.

UNP and Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe attempted to give a wrong impression to the House that the Government is secretly planning to hold Uva Provincial Council Election on two days, citing the high election-related violence as the reason. Making a special statement he said both the Government and Opposition should take all precautions to prevent Election Law violations.

Chief Government Whip and Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena explained to the Opposition Leader that a Government cannot postpone or advance elections and it is the Election Commissioner who is empowered to decide on election dates. The Minister said that the Opposition Leader should present his case to the Elections Commissioner. The Minister also said it seemed the Opposition was already getting ready for an election defeat.

Another highlight was the adjournment of the House on both sitting days, Tuesday and Wednesday before its scheduled time due to lack of a quorum. As a result, the Government could not pass the regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act on Tuesday. This led to moving the regulations for the approval of the House the following day. After Minister Sarath Amunugama moved the regulations in the House, both Government and Opposition members aired their views on these regulations.

While UPFA MP A.H.M. Azwer was speaking on the Uva PC elections, UNP MP Niroshan Perera said that around 5.30 pm there was no quorum in the House. This led the Presiding Member and Deputy Chairman of Committees Chandrakumara Murugesu to ring the quorum bell to summon MPs to the Chamber. Minister Gunawardena who arrived in response to the quorum bell told the House about the decision reached at the Party Leaders meeting to pass these regulations even without the quorum in the House. The Minister who opposed the decision to adjourn the House, said if there is anything contrary to the decision taken at a previous party leaders' meeting, another meeting should be summoned. The Deputy Chairman of Committees said that when an MP raised the quorum issue and if the required number of 21 MPs in the Chamber, was not present except adjourn the House, the Chair has no alternative. Accordingly he adjourned the House.

Meanwhile, Parliament sittings were suspended abruptly around 4.23 pm on Wednesday due to the failure of the Opposition to move a motion for a debate at adjournment time. The adjournment debate had been reserved for the Opposition and UNP MP Lakshman Kiriella moved a motion proposing that the Temporalities be removed or exempted from the Bim Saviya Act and sections in the Temporalities Circular No. 2014/01 issued by the Commissioner of Buddhist Affairs should also be removed. However, Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratne objected to moving the motion on the ground that there is no Act called, Bim Saviya Act and that circular had been withdrawn later. Therefore, the Premier said that a debate could not be permitted on a non-existing issue. As the Government and Opposition members exchanged views for and against a debate, Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody who suspended sittings for five minutes said that he would consult experts on the issue and convey his decision to the House. When the House resumed sittings, the Deputy Speaker said that the motion had not been properly phrased and there was no such Act called Bim Saviya Act. He adjourned the House and said the Opposition could move the motion again at a future date after it was properly drafted.

The Government on Wednesday tabled a Bill in Parliament to ensure the protection of witnesses and victims of crimes. The Bill titled, 'Assistance to and Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses' was presented by Justice Minister Rauff Hakeem. The objectives of the Bill are to set out, uphold and enforce the rights and entitlements of victims of crimes and witnesses and provide a mechanism to promote, protect, enforce and exercise such rights and entitlements.