Budget Debate – Committee stage–Day 2

Votes of the Ministry of Plan Implementation and Parliamentary Affairs
"If Plan Implementation Ministry worked efficiently the problem of graduates would not have arisen today"

Premaratne Gunasekera (UNP, Colombo District) moved a cut of Rs. 10 from the votes of the Ministry of Plan Implementation and Parliamentary Affairs.

He said: The Plan Implementation Ministry is an important arm of the government. It was this Ministry that was responsible for the vast development programmes such as the Mahaweli Development Programme completed in six years during the UNP regime. Dr. Wickrema Weerasooria was the Secretary of the Ministry then.

Today the Ministry is being head by a versatile Minister but most of the activities this Ministry was handled earlier has been taken off the Ministry.

If the Plan Implementation Ministry worked properly and efficiently the problem of graduates would not have arisen today.

You must have good plans to solve problems both existing and those anticipated in the future.

The Southern Development Authority which should have rightly been one of the functions of this Ministry is now functioning as an independent body. It lacked planning. This led the President at one stage to call the men in charge of the Southern Development Authority rogues. This shows inaction of the authority and the reason is lack of planning.

Shantha Premaratne (Deputy Minister of Plan Implementation and Parliamentary Affairs) said: The Ministry’s functions include development and progress review of development programmes and Parliamentary Affairs.

The Ministry is responsible overseeing the implementation of project funded both out of monies provided by the Parliament and foreign assistance.

We have changed the former development concepts. Today we have given emphasis to development on a regional level.

Up to 1979-94 the total expenditure incurred on the Integrated Rural Development was Rs. 6470 million. But during the four years past we have been able to spend Rs. 7000 million.

When we came to power we were amazed to see that there had been no development to match the expenditure that had been incurred.

Our Ministry has a programme to provide computer education by providing computers to the training institutions.

The District Coordinating Committee which we introduced to expedie district level development is open to the Opposition MPs and government MPs without distinction.

Under the plans now in hand in the near future 100,000 persons will be found gainful employment in the agricultural crop development programmes.

S. Sathasivam said: The development work especially the industrial sector in this country is weak. The Minister has found remedial measures but these plans have been fully implemented.

In Nuwara Eliya area a integrated development programme has been in operation for the past 16 years. But this work has to be adequately supervised, and they did not extend to the plantations. In 1992, I along with Minister Thondaman made representations to the IBRD to do some work to the estate workers. Schools, road construction has been done with the initiative given by the minister who visited these areas. The integrated rural development programme which will be replaced by a new name, regional development, will begin next year. This new regional economic advancement programme should be a continuation of the previous programme. You must see that the basic amenities are available to carry out this programme.

Jagath Balasuriya (PA - Kegalle District) said: The Integrated Rural Development Programme was in operation for some time. But the programme has not produced the anticipated results. There had been wastage, frauds.

But even today development has not reached many areas outside Colombo.

For instance no BOI project has so far come up in the Kegalle district. The reason attributed is the lack of proper infrastructural facilities.

The District Development Programmes must take into consideration, the development activities of the line Ministries in the relevant district.

The Minister must consider whether the Rs. 2.5 million given to Members of Parliament for development projects could be increased. The present DCB allocation is hardly sufficient for development.

Chandradasa Galappatti (UNP, Ampara district) In this country the ministry assigned to help the members of parliament to serve their constitucies is not performing its assigned duties satisfactorily. The decentralised funds are not adequate to serve areas that are in need of funds. Certain areas in Ampara are neglected. If you were acting fairly as you claim there would be more consistent development.

Plan implementation is not done in a equitable and effective manner. The work you plan is not put into operation.

The executive presidency is persisted with despite your claim to make the parliament more powerful. It is one among the long list of broken election pledges, that is dragging this country to devastation.

M. N. Abdul Majeed (SLMC — Trincomalee District) said Government officials are afraid to go to Trincomalee. However the Minister of Plan Implementation has paid visits to Trincomalee and urged officials to visit Trincomalee and help implement the development programmes.

The Rs. 2.5 million given to MPs for development activities is hardly sufficient. Though the Opposition is insisting that the government should keep its word and abolish the executive presidency, one cannot forget the fact that the executive presidency has succeeded in a great measure to establish communal amity in the country.

Y. Balachandran (DPLF, Wanni District) Although the Minister has done everything possible to develop the Wanni district somehow the officials are afraid to go to this area.

The teachers salaries are inadequate and employment opportunities for the graduates are scarce. The security for parliamentary members should be increased. The decentralised budget allocation for the MP’s should be increased in accordance with the cost of living, for them to continue with their development projects in the same pace as a few years ago.

Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, Minister of Plan Implementation and Parliamentary Affairs said: The Parliament requires a printing press a few years earlier we were receiving yesterday’s proceedings today. Now it takes seven days for a copy of a Hansard to receive from the Government Printer.

I propose the Secretary General to convene a meeting of all members of the House in consultation with the Speaker to discuss problems of Members of Parliament.

I hope to do everything possible during my tenure of office, to protect the respect of Members of Parliament.

We are going to introduce a life insurance scheme and a medical scheme for Members of Parliament. We have also decided to improve the knowledge of Members of Parliament, in computer technology. We would also provide them E-mail facilities.

Under the decentralized Budget we are providing Rs. 2.5 million for each Member of Parliament. However what programmes to be implemented will be decided by the District Development Councils. We have no authority to influence the DDCs. This is a practice laid down by the late President R. Premadasa. This circular is still in operation. We never do away with any good thing.

We will give Rs. 4 million for each Member of Parliament representing the North. Increased allocations have become necessary for the North which has suffered heavy damage in the armed conflicts.

Projects under Integrated Rural Development Programme are implemented by the various Ministries. On the basis of the work falling within the purview of the Ministries. My Ministry has no role to play in these programmes.

The work of the line Ministries are monitored at two levels. One is monitoring the committee headed by the Secretary to my Ministry. The other one is monitored by a Presidential committee. This process of monitored had been useful in identifying shortcomings in the implementation of projects and to take remedial action.

The vote was passed.

Ministry of Cultural and Religious Affairs
Though money has been allocated for Hindu religious affairs they are not being utilised – Pulendran

R. Pulendran (UNP - Vanni District) moved a cut of Rs. 10 from the Votes of the Ministry of Cultural and Religious Affairs.

She said: The Hindu Cultural Affairs Department should be shifted to Slave Island or to another place where Hindus are predominant. I have made a request to make this change but no action has been taken on it.

Though money has been allocated for the Hindu religious affairs they are not being utilised. Some officers were not acquainted with Tamil language.

Due to the lack of vehicles supervision of Hindu Temples in the East is not possible. The robes worn by Hindu priests have become an hindrance to their movements.

Dixon Perera: (PA - Colombo District) said: The Cultural Ministry was introduced by late S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike in 1956. This was a revolution that late Bandaranaike brought about.

We lost our independence in 1815. Since independence in 1948, under Prime Minister D. S. Senanayake, Dudley Senanayake and Sir John, we were still adoring the western culture.

But the change came in 1956, with the advent of the Bandaranaike. Our literature, our arts and our culture got a severe beating under the colonial rule and until 1956 after our independence, our arts, culture and literature were grossly neglected.

M. H. Mohamad (UNP - Colombo District ) said: Religious matters affecting Muslims have to be given consideration.

The Islam prayer times in Sri Lanka are different from international times. These matters have to be rectified according to the findings of the Muslim organisations.

Pilgrims to Mecca should not be stranded unnecessarily if you work out a solution with the Tourist Board. The Halal bill should be presented to Parliament as soon as possible and implemented. The funds allocated for Daham schools should be increased.

The Haj holiday for the Muslims have to be given consideration in Courts as well.

Statues are coming up in every nook and corner without proper control. You should appoint a committee to control it.

Amal Senalankadhikara (PA - Colombo District) said: I appeal to the Minister to declare a sacred city around the area of Kotte Raja Maha Vihara.

I am happy the government is determined to stop the plunder of invaluable archeological treasures of this country.

I also thank the Minister for holding the first International Buddhist Conference in Colombo.

Arrangement is being made to teach Chinese to 100 Sri Lankans and to give scholarships to follow studies in China.

Y. Balachandran (DPLF - Vanni District) said: Action should be taken to reconstruct religious places which were damaged in the war in the North. This matter is being delayed despite repeated reminders.

There are also schools which need reconstruction.

At least Rs. 20 million is required to restore the Vavuniya Cultural Hall.

P. Selvarajah (TULF - Batticaloa District) said: The Hindu Cultural Department is carrying out its functions only in the Colombo District. Other areas including the upcountry and the North-East have just been forgotten.

The villages around the Temple of Thirukethiswaran temple in the East is taken over by wilderness due to removal of residents of the villages.

The Thirukethiswaran Temple area and Thirukoneswaran Temple area should be declared sacred areas.

R. Yogarajan (CWC - Colombo District) said: The Tower Hall needs repairs and better conditions to attract audiences.

Today it is in a state of disrepair. No air conditioning and the ceiling fans are too old and need replacement.

No Tamil artist had been provided with accommodation in the Maligawatta Housing Scheme. Artistes should receive remuneration.

S. Sivathasan (EPDP - Jaffna District) said: The government has reduced allocations for the Ministry of Cultural and Religious Affairs in 1999. The funds are insufficient. There are many Siva Temples in the country. There are five principal Siva Temples.

No funds have been allocated to reconstruct the Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim religious places damaged in the war.

Prof. A. V. Suraweera (Deputy Minister of Cultural and Religious Affairs): Those spoke about the Hindu and Muslim cultural and religious departments spoke with suspicion.

It is unfair to say no awards had been made to Tamil and Muslim artistes. We have awarded Kalabhushana awards to both Muslim and Tamil artistes.

The 50 Sinhala short stories and 50 Tamil short stories will be translated to other languages.

A ban is being considered on tuition classes on Sunday.

Joseph Michael Perera (UNP - Gampaha District) said: A director has not been appointed to the Christian Religious Department.

A land should be released for the proposed church in the Ranpokunagama. I made this request last year too.

You must build cultural centres for the fishing communities.

There are liquor bars close to temples and churches. Please see that liquor bars are not opened close to religious places.

Lakshman Jayakody (Minister of Cultural and Religious Affairs) said: I will form a panel for media to discuss all the questions of immorality.

Both Tower Hall and the Elphinstone will be repaired next year. Allocations have been made for the purpose.

Creation of sacred areas does not come under my ministry. It is a function if the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. I am concerned with archaeological monuments.

I will be bringing a draft bill to amend the Wakf law shortly. Halal draft is ready and it will be sent to all parliamentarians for their study. Identity cards will be issued to all Buddhist monks and Hindu Kurukkals and Muslim clerics.

We are spending Rs. 350 million for the Hindu Cultural Studies Centre being put up in the Muthurajawela.

Such centres will also be constructed for the Catholics and Muslims. The Buddhist cultural centre under construction will cost Rs. 150 million.

The vote was passed.