Bipartisan praise for CPA parley

On Tuesday both the Government and the Opposition in Parliament commended the manner in which the recent 58th session of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) conference was held in Sri Lanka, acknowledging it as the biggest international parley held after three decades-old terrorism. The conference has brought fame to the country by showcasing its image globally.

Before the commencement of the sittings on Tuesday, Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa told the House that Sri Lanka had successfully conducted the 58th session of the CPA from September 7 to 15. The Speaker extended his profound thanks to everybody who effectively contributed to make this key event, a success. He also thanked President Mahinda Rajapaksa for taking part as Chief Guest at the inauguration of the Conference while being its patron. The Speaker commended the President for his support.

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe lauded the President and the Speaker for holding the conference. He described it as one of the best conferences held in the entire Commonwealth in the recent past. The Speaker paid tribute to all Members of Parliament including those in the Opposition who worked hard to make this event a success.

This collaborative effort helped bring fame both to the country and Parliament. The Opposition Leader also extended his profound thanks on behalf of the Opposition to everyone who worked towards the success of the conference under the leadership of the President of the 58th CPA conference, Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa. Leader of the House and Irrigation and Water Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said that it was the Speaker who gave the dynamic leadership to conduct this key international parley. The entire Parliament should thank the Speaker for his firm dedication as evidenced from his participation in every session of the CPA conference.

The Government on Friday withdrew the Divineguma Bill from the Parliament Order Book owing to the Supreme Court determination. The Leader of the House told the Parliament that the Government would withdraw the Bill in accordance with the recent Supreme Court determination which stated that the Bill should first be referred to the Provincial Councils before being taken up in Parliament. The Speaker who announced the Supreme Court Determination told the House on Tuesday in compliance with Clause 1 of Article 121 of the Constitution, the President should first refer the Bill to the Provincial Councils as the Bill involves matters coming within the powers of the Provincial Councils.

The Speaker maintained the view that when a petition is filed in the Supreme Court regarding a Bill presented in Parliament, a copy of such petition should also be sent to the Speaker. However, he said in this instance this requirement has not been fulfilled.

He further said that if someone assumes that this could be fulfilled simply by giving a copy to a Parliamentary officer such an act would amount to a breach of honour and supremacy of Parliament. He said the matter would be discussed with party leaders and inquired into subsequently. Meanwhile, a group of persons held a demonstration along the Parliament road on Tuesday in support of the Divineguma Bill which seeks to replace the Samurdhi Authority.

An unusual turn of events erupted in Parliament on Thursday when the Opposition offered the time allocated to its members to Government MP A.H.M. Azwer to speak during an adjournment motion. However, the Chief Government Whip and Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinsesh Gunawardene was not in favour of the Opposition move and wanted to proceed as scheduled. MP Azwer ran out time allocated to him as he moved an adjournment motion on the Mid Year Fiscal Position Report 2012 and got carried away while praising the 58th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference.

He was reading various newspaper reports when Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody told him to conclude his speech. MP Azwer who was oblivious to the fact that his time had lapsed was taken aback when the Chair called him to conclude the speech. He was quick to ask whether there is an exact time allocated for this, only to be told there was. This led to an outburst of laughter in the Chamber and the Opposition members led by Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe requested the Chair to let the MP proceed with his speech as he seems to be the newest addition to the economic experts in the House. The MP in his speech referred to the glittering opening ceremony of the CPA conference and told the House how delegates were impressed by the President's speech.

The Opposition members who interrupted Azwer's speech queried why doesn't he speak about the Mid Year Fiscal Position Report. Amidst the interruptions, MP Azwer who continued his speech said he was quoting from what the Commonwealth delegates said. In the midst of verbal exchanges between Opposition MPs and MP Azwer, Senior Minister for International Monetary Cooperation, Dr. Sarath Amunugama seconded the adjournment motion moved by Azwer on the directive of Chief Government Whip, Minister Dinesh Gunawardene. However, the Chief Opposition Whip went to the Chair and told the Deputy Speaker that they were willing to allocate time for Azwer.

The Deputy Speaker asked the Minister since the Opposition is willing to offer time, does he agree to it and let Azwer continue? Minister Gunawardene who refused it said the Government intends to proceed with the adjournment debate.

The Deputy Speaker told UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake that he was the next Member to speak. Karunanayake who stood up told the Deputy Speaker that he is willing to give his allocated time to Azwer to continue his speech as they preferred to listen to the remarks to be made by a new "economic pandit", such as Azwer. The Deputy Speaker asked MP Karunanayake to commence his speech as his microphone is switched on.

MP Karunanayake who commenced his speech told the House that "pandits" like Azwer moving this kind of adjournment motion shows the bankruptcy of the country's economy. Karunanayake said that MP in his motion talked nonsense. Telecommunication and Information Technology Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya who joined the debate made the point that the Mid Year Fiscal Position Report should be discussed irrespective of party differences. The Government's investments during the first four months of 2012 have increased by 46.6 percent compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. Our budget deficit in 2011 was 6.9 percent. But India had a budget deficit 8.7 percent.

Even in the developed countries the rate was very high. The Minister emphasised that the country is emerging after three decades of terrorism. Therefore, he said the Opposition should be optimistic to view the constructive side of the development.

Senior Minister for Human Resources D.E.W. Gunasekara who spoke during the adjournment debate told the Parliament that the Budget proposals for financial year 2013 will be presented in Parliament on November 8. He also said that the debate will be taken up on November 9.

UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekera who moved an adjournment motion alleged that diplomatic relations between India and Sri Lanka are in jeopardy as the Sri Lankan Government has failed to keep its promises to India over solving the ethnic issue.Deputy External Affairs Minister Neomal Perera who responded to the motion said that the ongoing protests are led by extremist groups in Tamil Nadu who were funded by the LTTE diaspora. He said Jayalalitha or her administration has no involvement in these.

They are geared by pro LTTE elements with the influence of LTTE diaspora. The Deputy Minister charged that the Opposition led by Ranil Wickremesinghe and certain other members were helping these groups by making provocative remarks.

Parliament on Friday granted three months leave to Colombo District UPFA MP Duminda Silva and Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne who were undergoing treatment in hospitals abroad following a motion presented by Leader of the House Nimal Siripala de Silva.