Salaries of Chairman and Deputy Chairman of National Education Commission

NEC has done a lot of work in the field of education

Speaker K. B. Ratnayake chaired when Parliament met at 9.30 a.m. Tuesday 22, 1998.

He announced that he on Sept. 14, 1998 endorsed the Tax and Foreign Exchange Amnesty Bill.

After presentation of supplementary estimates and other reports by the ministers and petitions were presented and oral questions answered by ministers, the debate on the resolution by Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike on determing the salaries of the chairman and the two vice-chairmen of the National Education Commission (NEC) commenced.

Minister of Education and Higher Education Richard Pathirana said: The Commission was first appointed by late President Ranasinghe Premadasa.

The first chairman was Prof. Lakshman Jayatilleke. First Vice-Chairman Dinapala Alles retired from service due to old age and the second Vice-Chairman Vincent Panditha took up office in another department. Our government appointed Prof. K. D. Arulpragasam and Dr. (Mrs.) Tara de Mel in their place.

During the past eight years the NEC has done a lot of work in the educational field. Their work involved university education, the general education and technical education.

The Commission has presented a series of reports and recommendations with regard to reforms in the educational field.

Some of the reports of the Commission have been presented to Parliament by me.

W. J. M. Lokubandara (UNP — Badulla District) said: Education should be an impartial concern. Former President Premadasa strove for the depoliticisation of education. He appointed a commission to investigate into youth unrest. The Commission headed by Lakshman Jayatillaka identified political interference as one of the causes of youth unrest. It is unfortunate that one of the commissioners of this Commission, Prof. G. L. Peiris, who is now a powerful element in this government is forgetting the importance of depoliticisation.

The Attorney General's Department is not spared, the police department is not spared from political interference. We will support this motion with the fervent hope that the education commission would at least be strengthened to insulate themselves from political interference and to depoliticise education. You seek the advice of the Education Commission, when initiating changes. How did you bypass this commission when you decided to do away with the midday meal? Why is the Education Commission influenced by the Presidential Secretariat?

Lakshman Jayathilaka is an independent thinker. The present government which pledged to eradicate the shortcomings of the past 17 years is forgetting to seek the advice of such independent observers. It is unfortunate that lawyers are not allowed to hear a case in peace. Recent incidents are proof of increasing political interference. The government that postponed PC elections because there was a shortage of policemen, sent 30 policemen after Mahanama Thilakaratna. The removal of the Attorney General, the IGP and the functioning of the Bribery Commission are further testimony of increasing political interference. Please leave education alone and this is our fervant hope as we extend that support to this motion.

H. M. Weerasinghe (PA — Ampara District) said Government has not transferred any teachers on political grounds in Ampara District. Over 20 teachers were transferred during UNP rule.

A senior member of the United National Party, who spoke before me violated the standing orders.

President refused to accept our proposal to give teaching posts to those who supported our party during the 1994 elections. That is the kind of leadership we have.

During your government teaching posts were given to persons who did not have qualifications. It is not the case today under our leadership.

Deputy Speaker, Anil Moonesinghe takes the chair.

R. M. Ratnayake (UNP — Badulla District) said I would like to know on whose recommendation salaries are being increased. Have they applied for an increase of salaries. Or did the President want to give them salary increases?

We must ask ourselves whether the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of the Commission have the qualifications to head a National Commission of Education?

The chairman is an engineering professor. Prof. Arulpragasam is a scientist and Tara de Mel a doctor.

They do not have the qualifications of educationists to head the NEC. This has been the view of many educationists.

The chairman is holding, other posts in addition to that of the NEC. His income is over rupees one hundred thousand. The other two deputy chairmen too earn high incomes by lending their services to several other organisations.

You have not spoken about the 700 odd employees of the NEC. You have not given your thoughts to the increase of salaries of these employees.

We have no objection to increasing of salaries of any person. What we are worried is your failure to consider the lower grades of employees who also need salary increases.

The change of scheme available to teachers to obtain university degrees has resulted in a situation where no teacher can obtain degrees.

The fourth subject introduced for the A/L student on the recommendation of the Commission has created an anomalous situation where a student can gain entry to universities by merely passing the fourth subject only. If a student secure passes in all the three subjects, he will not be able to gain entry to the university if he failed in the fourth subject. This is a ridiculous situation.

The educational authorities of the North-East Provincial Council have given teaching appointments to 108 persons in a shady manner.

Inquiries conducted on the order of the Governor has revealed that some of the appointees did not have qualifications. Several appointees were relatives of officers.

(Contd tomorrow)

In Parliament at adjournment

Govt.’s action ineffective to stop plundering of artefacts
- UNP MP

Governmental action to stop the increasing incidents of plundering of archaeological treasures by organised gangs is both ambiguous and ineffective said Kalutara district (UNP), MP Thilak Karunaratne, moving an adjournment debate in Parliament yesterday (22) evening.

The motion states: Plundering of priceless archaeological treasures a of cultural and religious importance are on the increase. Action taken by the government to stop this menace is both ambiguous and ineffective.

"I propose to the House that immediate action be taken to prevent the plunder of archaeological treasures."

He said: "You will know how the South Indians, the Portuguese, the Dutch and finally English invaders, destroyed the Buddhist sacred places and plundered our archaeological treasures.

At that time it was the practice of the invaders to destroy everything that was precious to be vanquished.

Today plundering is done by people of this country itself who included officers, the guardians of the law and order, politicians, and people who are after a quick buck.

If this process was allowed to continue, there will come a time when we will not be able to find any evidence that the Sinhala race was living in the country for the last many centuries.

You must have a more efficient scheme to stop the plunder of our archaeological treasures, by imposing heavy penalties on the perpetrators.

We have been fortunate enough to retrieve the guardstone at the Medirigiriya Rajamaha Vihara.

There had been a series of incidents of plundering of archaeological treasures reported by the press.

I propose the setting up of a national body to protect our archaeological treasures.

V. G. Jinadasa (UNP — Matale District) seconding the motion said that according to reports persons who have left the security services are also behind this national disaster.

Dharmadasa Banda (UNP — Moneragala district) said newspapers almost daily carry reports about plundering of archaeological treasures.

Laws have been strengthened. Punishment has been increased. Yet the plunderings continue unabated.

When you look at the persons who are involved in the plunderings you will realise that this is not a menace that can be prevented easily.

Today books are being printed giving details of locations of buried archaeological treasures. The Minister must examine whether the printing of such books can be prevented.

The plunderers carry lethal weapons such as T-56. Not only ex-army and police personnel put also other powerful persons are involved in this plundering.

The "Ravaya" recently reported about a supporter of the PA who had gone to a police station and attempted to secure the release of a suspect taken into custody in connection with the plundering of a valuable Buddha statue, and put into the cell another man.

The Moneragala Rajamaha Vihara is also a target of treasure hunters. The historic Rajamaha Vihara needs protection.

I appeal to the new IGP to take action against persons involved in plundering of archaeological treasures including those who shelter them or giving various forms of support to the plunderers.