Maithri-Ranil unity Govt heralds a new era

Fulfilling the people's pledge by President Maithripala Sirisena during his Presidential election campaign, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake on Thursday presented the National Unity Government's interim Budget in Parliament which he described as a 100-day revolution to provide relief and concessions to ease the cost of living burden of the people. The Mini-Budget is a shining example of how a people friendly Government hopes to serve the people and provide immediate relief to them.

The Budget has key proposals to bring down the prices of 13 essential food commodities as an immediate relief measure for the people. Even though the Government pledged to reduce the prices of 10 essential food items, in fact the prices of 13 food commodities were brought down further expanding the Government's relief package. The outlook of the interim Budget was similar to that of a welfare Budget which had surpassed the attempts of all post-independence Governments.

Some of the highlights of the Mini-Budget presented by Minister Karunanayake were the Rs.10,000 pay hike to the public sector employees, increased provision for health and education sectors, drastic reduction of funds provided under the Financial Heads of the President through the UPFA Budget of 2015.

The estimated expenditure of Rs.95,930 million for the Presidential Secretariat for 2015 was cut down to Rs.2,560 million. The Budget has also saved a colossal amount of Rs.2.5 billion spent to maintain the jumbo Cabinet of previous Government by bringing down the number of Ministers. Overall the Mini Budget has given concessions to all segments of the society including farmers, common masses, public sector employees and pensioners, at large.

The Finance Minister commended the leadership of President Maithripala Sirisena and the wisdom of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe which paved the way to herald a new Sri Lanka free of all misdeeds leading to a "Maithree Palanaya". He called upon all Sri Lankans to extend solidarity to the Government and rally round for a "change" aimed at a better tomorrow under the Government's 100-Day program.

The Minister told the House that following the Presidential election, the Maithripala-Ranil National Unity Government formed with a majority of the parties in Parliament has dawned a new era in the post-independence history of Sri Lanka.

The hundred-day program will lay the foundation for a new era and provide a bench-mark meaning to "freedom and liberty". Independent commissions, Right to Information, Constitutional Amendments which are clearly enumerated in the hundred-day program will certainly enable the people to enjoy the fruits of freedom regained. Sri Lankans are now smiling again. The smiles portray freedom, liberty and courage. It is refreshing, after the defeat of family rule and nepotism, the Finance Minister Said.

Before the Finance Minister delivered his speech, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who made a special statement in Parliament explained to the House the tasks to be fulfilled by the Government under its hundred-day program within the next few weeks.

The premier said the hundred-day Program is a big challenge and the Government is labouring day and night to make its objectives a reality. He also expressed concern on the attempts by certain people to criticise this program and said the Government is always ready to welcome constructive criticism. He said that the Government is moving in a new direction which is a novel experience.

The Prime Minister stressed the need to think seriously of the motherland rather than enjoy personal benefits.

Before the Government presented its Budget, the Opposition expressed their serious concern for the removal of Chief Justice Mohan Peiris. MEP Leader MP Dinesh Gunawardena raising a Point of Order told the House that a lawfully appointed Chief Justice had been removed by force from his office while Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake the former Chief Justice who was removed by a resolution adopted in Parliament had been reinstated as Chief Justice. Gunawardena said that this is unlawful and unconstitutional and an assault on the supremacy of Parliament.

This is a sad day for parliamentary democracy of this country. The Prime Minister in his response to the MP said that the Government had not violated the Constitution in enabling Shirani Bandaranayake to resume her position as the Chief Justice. If the Opposition demanded a debate on the matter the Government is willing to allocate time only if such a request is permitted by the Party Leaders.

However, the following day, Parliament sittings came to an abrupt end owing to a clash between Government and Opposition legislators over this issue. The Opposition's clamour for a debate began after the Prime Minister made a statement to the House detailing the process that led to the removal of former Chief Justice Mohan Peiris.

Opposition MPs led by MPs Dinesh Gunawardena and Wimal Weerawansa backed by Opposition Leader Nimal Siripala De Silva and Chief Opposition Whip W.D.J. Seneviratne called for a debate on Friday (January 30) or on February 2. However, the Government said that the earliest date for such a debate would be February 5.

At times the Premier was forced to silence the main Opposition SLFP members though they shouted back at him. The Prime Minister told the Opposition members in lighter vein not to shout. He said if they shout further, he will complain to the President. He called upon them to sit and be calm.

The Prime Minister said, "Remember your Party Leader is our President".

MP Gunawardena said that there were serious questions about the removal of Chief Justice Mohan Peiris and the reinstatement of Bandaranayake as Chief Justice. Bandaranayake was removed following the due process laid down in the Constitution for the removal of judges. Her reinstatement was not legal, he said. NFF Leader MP Wimal Weerawansa told the House that the Government is setting a dangerous precedent by removing judges at will.

He said that they had no issue if a motion was brought to the House and removed Mohan Peiris through a vote. Things came to a head after MP Gunawardena asked for a vote if there was an agreement to the debate on February 2. The disagreement over the debate date led to suspend the sittings twice for 20 and 10 minutes. Even after that, though two Party Leaders' meetings were held, there was no agreement on the issue so that the Speaker was compelled to adjourn the sittings.

Another highlight of the day was that Jayasinghe Bandara who contested on the UPFA ticket at 2010 general election took oaths before Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa as an MP on Thursday. He was sworn in before the interim Budget was presented. Bandara who had secured fifth in the list of preferential votes in the Polonnaruwa district was appointed to the seat which fell vacant due to Minister Maithripala Sirisena's resignation from Parliament after being elected President.