Week In Parliament

Floods, a raging topic in House

Uditha Kumarasinghe

The leadership crisis of the UNP was further exposed to the House when Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe made a very hard hitting speech in Parliament on Tuesday, during the debate on the Special Commodity Levy Act.

However, the Opposition Leader’s speech was not focused on the relevant subject and he raised various different issues on why the Government didn’t reduce the fuel prices following the Supreme Court ruling and why Sarath Fonseka was subject to a Court Martial. Wickremesinghe queried why Sarath Fonseka, who is one of the key partners of the war victory is not there when the Government is going to commemorate the Victory Day celebrations. Wickremesinghe commenting on the demolition of unauthorised constructions in Colombo and the suburbs said, “Today the Urban Development Authority has turned into the Urban Destruction Authority.”

Construction and Engineering Services Minister Wimal Weerawansa who stood up when the Opposition Leader wound up his speech told the House “Wickremesinghe’s speech showed how difficult it is to survive in the leadership” position. UPFA National List MP A. H. M. Azwer who interrupted the Opposition Leader’s speech said “ Wickremesinghe is shouting in Parliament as he is unable to resolve the crisis at ‘Sirikotha’. He said the Opposition Leader is not speaking about the subject matter but speaking about Fonseka. As the Opposition Leader he should set an example to his followers.”

Social Services Minister, Feilx Perera who joined the debate said today Wickremesinghe has not been able to prevent the floods within the UNP. When the rumours on various new names are proposed to the UNP leadership, the change in attire by the UNP front liner Ravi Karunanayake who switched from his usual full suit (coat and tie) to the national dress to attend Parliament drew a lot of attention not only from the Government members but also from some Opposition MPs. Several Government MPs called Karunanayake as the upcoming UNP Leader when he rose to speak on Tuesday. “When UPFA MP Aswer inquired from Karunanayake about his new attire, he asked the MP why the people in Colombo can’t wear the national dress?

Deputy Economic Development Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya who responded to an oral question raised by the UNP MP Sajith Premadasa on the damage caused to the cultivations by the elephants focused the attention of the House on the country’s elephant population. The Deputy Minister said “ It is very important to safeguard the four legged elephants in the country, not two legged elephants.”

Party leaders on Tuesday (May 18) reached a decision to conduct the Parliament sittings from 1.30pm to 7.30pm with effect from next month. This decision was reached at a discussion chaired by the Speaker, attended by the representatives of all political parties.

However, UNP and the DNA representatives who attended the discussion had expressed their opposition to the decision taken by the Government. The Opposition representatives were of the view as a result of this decision, media personnel may have to undergo difficulties to report and telecast the Parliament proceedings.

Another significant incident took place in Parliament history, when the House was adjourned two and a half hours earlier than scheduled time on Tuesday (May 18) fearing that the road around Parliament area would be submerged. Deputy Public Administration Minister Dilan Perera requested the early adjournment of the House due to the rising water level of Diyawanna Oya while Construction and Engineering Services Minister Wimal Weerawansa also endorsed the request to wind up early to facilitate the MPs and the Parliament staff to go home without being marooned!.

After 1992, this is the second time that several parts of the road adjoining Parliament complex have submerged with Diyawanna Oya reaching spill level due to heavy rains. The MPs and others coming to Parliament on Tuesday’s morning had to alter their usual route to get into Parliament through the entrance located close to the Japan-Sri Lanka Friendship Road due to several sections of the road leading to the Parliament remaining under water with Diyawanna Oya spilling over at several places while the Parliament ground too was inundated.

The subject of education was also one of the key topics discussed at the House when an Adjournment motion was moved by the UNP MP Akila Viraj Kariyawasam regarding the problems in the field of education.Education Minister Bandula Gunawardene who joined the debate informed the House that the Government intends to introduce a new education policy within the next three months. The intention of the Government is to amend the existing Education Act and introduce a new education policy which will not be subjected to change from time to time when the Governments are changed.

Higher Education Minister S. B. Dissanayake who took part in the debate gave an indication that the Government would allow international universities to set up branches here on the condition that each such university accommodates 20 per cent of local students through scholarship programs. He pointed out even Cambridge and Oxford universities had such scholarships quotas for students.

Minister Dissanayake in his maiden speech also said if the then Speaker had properly intervened to safeguard his privileges, he would have secured his Parliament seat earlier. “ I was imprisoned following the Supreme Court ruling given in 2004. However, I went to the UN Human Rights Council on this ruling given against me. Finally the UN Human Rights Council also decided that this is a wrong decision given by the Sri Lankan Supreme Court.”

UPFA MP Namal Rajapaksa who made commendable speech on the field of education stressed the importance of making joint efforts by all the Government and the Opposition members to develop school education. The young MP said “ A politician through a teacher should bring the message of development to the village. This is not a political issue. We are discussing about students as a group.

They are the life blood who will take over the future of this country.”The Parliament on Thursday also raised a joint voice against the ragging the university system with Higher Education Minister S. B. Dissanayake seeking the support of all members of Parliament concerned to curb this trend. The Minister said the University Grants Commission has also made a lot of effort to prevent this trend. It is necessary to conduct discussions within the university system to stop this trend. UPFA National List MP Prof.Rajiva Wijesinha who moved the adjournment motion stressed the need for stoping all forms of ragging within universities.

The flood havoc in the island also became into a key topic in Parliament when the Opposition questioned as to the measures taken by the Government to overcome this situation. Disaster Management Minister A. H. M. Fowzie said the Government is very concerned about this situation. But this is not a political issue. Minister Fowzie told the House that a series of meetings had already been held to identify short and long term plans to mitigate floods in Colombo and suburbs.

Deputy Finance Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama introducing several regulations under the Special Commodity Levy Act told House on Tuesday that the recent elections clearly showed the success of the tax system introduced by the Government. In future, price stability and the development would be the main focus of the Government.

While Dr.Amunugama was speaking, DNA MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake who interrupted to his speech asked as to why he was not given a ministerial portfolio to which Dr. Amunugama replied,” Everybody should make sacrifices to rebuild this country. Therefore, I am ready to make any sacrifice on behalf of the country. We cannot move forward without making sacrifices. Therefore, the JVP should admire the decision taken by me.”Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena giving a good indication on the drug shortage said the drug shortage will be sorted out within the next 10 days. He also informed the House that new measures have been introduced to overhaul the health care system which includes the setting up of a Presidential Task Force on Health.