In Parliament on Tuesday From our Parliamentary Correspondents Budget: Committee Stage — 9th Day

Votes of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
I want a clear and cogent answer not an elegant and sophisticated evasion from the minister — Anura

Anura Bandaranaike (UNP-National list) opening the committee stage discussions of the votes of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs moved a cut of Rs. 10 from the votes of the ministry.

He said I bemoan the fact that no discussion is conducted in Parliament on foreign affairs. The foreign affairs of this country is a national issue. One of the very few areas the government and the opposition can agree on, is on a broad consensus on the foreign policy.

We do not want to read eulogistic records of the ministers foreign trips in newspapers. We want to know from the minister of the accounts of his tours abroad.

Some of the appointees to the foreign embassies have taken permanent residence abroad. The minister should take steps to appoint competent officers to the Foreign service.

He appoints 25 in one examination overriding the recommended number of 12 for a service numbering 100. The decision was ministers alone and he must explain it to this House.

The quality of our diplomats must be improved. The Bandaranaike diplomatic training institute should be utilised to improve our foreign service.

I also requested the minister to appoint honorary consuls to America and Latin America. Important American capitals require increased services of our consulars due to the political and economic importance of these cities to Sri Lanka.

I want a clear and cogent answer not a elegant and sophisticated evasion from the minister on these issues.

The lambast of a eminent former diplomat in the press were ignored by the minister and he never defended him.

The minister has stated that he has no objection to other states becoming nuclear or is he helpless to object?

The book "Foreign policy during the Bandaranaike’s" amply states the steady foreign policy of the then government that had a clear policy on nuclear armaments. It is pertinent that the foreign policy formulators refer this book that illustrates the illustrious foreign policy of the then Bandaranaike government.

India does not expect us to compromise on our integrity and go down on our knees to them. The former Bandaranaike government struck many successful negotiations with India.

Last year the government claimed to have made great headway in foreign affairs. There was no real movement on the ground with regard to SAARC. The government has entered into a bilateral trade agreement with India undermining the concept of SAARC and also leaving out Pakistan.

There is no question that SAARC is being undermined. The security concerns of the regions have been totally left out.

Unfortunately the foreign ministry is walking with their head in the stars and also their feet in the stars. All sound and no substance has been their hallmark.

The envoy of the chief executive officer of the UN were received in a churlish manner here. As a result our relations with this world body suffered. The minister deserves our commendation for his anti-terrorist activities at great peril to his life.

However the governments achievements elaborated in the government media is negated with the fact that the Tigers have not closed camp even in the US where the Tiger movement is banned. LTTE has several legitimate front organisations in South Africa. The LTTE is well entrenched there.

Is the minister satisfied with the High Commission in South Africa. The embassy in Pretoria has to be strengthened. The LTTE receives public support and the government of South Africa has not cracked down on them.

The ANC’s maritime forces are being trained by the LTTE.The LTTE has reportedly welcomed third party mediation. This is an opening the government must not shy away from.The minister should advice the President to obtain third party mediation.

I have a flight at seven p.m. today, although the airport is named after my father I cannot change the flight schedule, so it is with great regret that I must state that I am forced to miss the ministers reply at the end.

Rauf Hakeem, Deputy Chairman of Committees said that Prabhakaran in his heroes’ day message this year has deviated from his earlier practice and called for peaceful settlement of the problems with third party mediation.

He said that Prabhakaran has this time lamented the lack of appreciation on the part of the international community of the legitimacy of his organisation’s struggle, while appealing to members of his community living abroad to convince the international community of the legitimacy of their cause.

He said that many commissions were appointed to inquire into persons affected by terrorism and violence and urged the government to appoint a presidential commission to inquire into killings of Muslims and the forced expulsion of thousands of Muslims from their homes in the North East by the LTTE.

D. H. N. Jayamaha (UNP-National List) said our emphasis today is friendship with everyone. Our foreign policy must take into account the growing regionalism. Corner share of our foreign policy should be India.

Sri Lanka should have a proper intelligence system and proper men to man it.Parliamentary Consultative Committee on Foreign Affairs do not meet.Foreign Ministry must co-operate with the cultural and Religious Affairs Ministry in informing the world about the cultural achievements of this country.

Anura Priyadarshana Yapa (Deputy Minister of Post and Telecommunications) said before 1994 the LTTE received international support and the government was mostly indisrepute in these countries. The government has successfully countered false propaganda of the terrorists to some degree. This is the achievement of the foreign ministry. The foreign service should be strengthened to serve the interests of the Sri Lankan workers specially in the Middle Eastern countries.

P. Chandrakumar (EPDP-Jaffna district) said the package is not going to meet the aspirations of the Tamil people. We will never accept the package. The package is not accepted by the Tamil parties.

Why do you reject international mediation in political matters.The Chemmani mass graves have received international attention but the government is silent on it.The consular division of the ministry is rife with corruption. One official inflicts untold hardships on the Tamil people.

Kesaralal Gunasekera (DUNLF-National List) said its a pity that Anura Bandaranaike delivered his speech from the wrong side of the House.

The minister has dedicated his services to change the opinion of foreign governments that were once sympathetic to the LTTE.

The minister has taken on a difficult task travelling around the globe to curb LTTE activities.

He is the first target of the LTTE. Its a pity that the opposition does not recognise his efforts.

The ministry should improve the cadre in Sri Lanka’s foreign embassies that operate in countries that has active LTTE operations.

Tyronne Fernando (UNP-Colombo District) said: I must commend the Minister of Foreign Affairs for what he has done to change the world opinion against us. The changing of world opinion is rather a difficult task.

When a person offers his hand it must be taken though he was an enemy. President J. R. Jayewardene did it, in a different context when Rajiv Gandhi offered his hand. J. R. Jayewardene later observed he would take the hand if offered even by his enemy and keep him.

The government must take a positive view of Prabhakaran’s latest gesture.

I have Prabhakaran’s full speech which I took from Internet. It says they have closed the doors for peace.They were ready for talks if the civilised standards are followed, in resolving conflict. They are insisting on a third party mediator as they cannot trust the honesty on the part of the Sinhalese leaders.

This is why the Opposition Leader had called for unconditional talks. If you lay down condition, we will be talking about the conditions all the time and nothing about a solution.

The President has said she was prepared for talks provided he drops the Eelam claim. It appears that they are prepared to drop the Eelam.

At last, Prabhakaran has spoken and if you don’t make use of the opportunity, the generations to come will curse you.

Lakshman Kiriella (Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs) said the consular service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for the welfare of Sri Lankans working abroad.

All Sri Lankans now going abroad for work are going on a contract. They are also enjoying insurance cover. This is a facility introduced by this government.

During the last four years the Foreign Ministry had been buying about eleven buildings for our embassies. It is the practice of the Foreign Ministry to buy its embassy buildings. During the 17 years of UNP rule only six were purchased.

We were negotiating with South Africa to purchase a building for our proposed embassy there but negotiations are still going on.

We co-hosted the International Buddhist Conference in Colombo this year with the Ministry of Cultural and Religious Affairs.

Today 75 percent of the foreign embassy posts are filled by members of the foreign service unlike during the UNP regime. When the figures were the other way about.

S. Sathasivam (CWC-Nuwara Eliya district) said there are still shortcomings in some of our embassies abroad.

Our missions abroad must promote Sri Lanka and her import and export potential. Even in Britain, the younger generation doesn’t know that tea is produced in Sri Lanka.

There should be someone appointed to our missions abroad to guide Sri Lankans going on work permits.

Felix Perera (PA-Gampaha district) said anyone can obtain current information on Sri Lanka via Internet. In some countries the LTTE has been prohibited from collecting funds by inter-government agreements. The ministry has covered much ground over the last few years.

The minister carries out his work with great self sacrifice. The successful diplomacy of our President has also been the reason for increased foreign recognition. The LTTE must first talk with the other Tamil parties before seeking international assistance.

Karunasena Kodituwakku (UNP-Colombo district) said there was never a dispute about the ministers qualifications at any point of time during this debate. So don’t veer this debate off course. The success of your foreign policy must be measured by the results. Who received a red carpet welcome at the White House.

The Japanese gave a Royal welcome to J. R. Jayewardene. The number of foreign delegations and trade links increased during this period. The human rights record of the government is deteriorating year by year, according to international reports.

Jayantha Dhanapala was prevented from assuming a high ranking position in the UN due to government interference. We have given a seat in the Security Council to Korea as a result. What are the benefits the country’s economy has received from your foreign policy.

Dilan Perera (PA-Badulla district) said the UNP which wants the government to have talks with the LTTE should declare its stand with regard the devolution package.Once western countries banned the supply of arms to Sri Lanka as our human rights record was bad. The international image of Sri Lanka has been salvaged by the right policies followed by the President the Minister of Foreign Affairs and his Deputy.

A. C. S. Hameed (UNP-Kandy district) said I would be asking the Foreign Affairs Minister to table before this House full details of foreign visits he has undertaken who went with him for what and the expenditure incurred. This was the practice all along.

You have been accusing the governments of the UNP of human rights violations, that the international community was looking down upon Sri Lankans as barbarians.

This is all unnecessary talk. In 1993 Sri Lanka’s human right record was approved by all the 53 countries who participated in a conference. India received about half the number.

The international community is tending to consider the LTTE as freedom fighters. That is why everyone, outside this country, tell you to talk to the LTTE.

I knew Nelson Mandela. We supported the ANC struggle for freedom. Did you tell this to Mandela. Can any young South African turn round and ask why should we support these fellows who have not supported us.

Has the Foreign Ministry examined why Sri Lanka’s stock market is crashing? Has the Foreign Ministry asked us why the investors are running away from us. The Foreign Minister must use his words carefully. His words are examined and analysed everywhere in the world.

It is not diplomatically done to tell a country what another country tells about it. According to a communique, I have what you have told India what China told you about India. The Beiging envoy of ours was unaware of this statement. He was unaware of it.

If China treats India as a security threat to her, its China’s and India’s concern.

You must remember that it is the scrubs and the under grass that get crushed when either elephants fight or make love.

Prabhakaran has now said he was ready for talks. But when I analyse your statement its clear that you will not accept the LTTE offer.

You have to go to the international community tomorrow but what would you tell them about this. Are you going to tell them what your Deputy Minister told this House.

We are the Chairman of SAARC. Then what is the trade agreement with India.

Lakshman Kadirgamar (Minister of Foreign Affairs) said my colleague who has 30 years experience behind him became an actor today.The meeting held in New Delhi recently was not a high level meeting of delegates.

The WTO agreement allows nations which are not LDCs to enter into by-lateral or multi-lateral agreements. This is also within the SAARC convention.Foreign Ministry’s centre piece this year is the SAARC. All SAARC countries were of the view that the nuclear tests by Pakistan and India should not be allowed to destroy the grouping. Even India and Pakistan too were unanimous on this.

Now SAARC has become an outward looking organisation. Earlier, it was not so. SAARC would now talk to any groups including the European Union.

SAARC might act in unison with even ASEAN.

The centre piece of the booklet that you were all talking about was Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike’s speech in the United Nations in 1977, on apartheid.

The book carried a picture of President Chandrika Kumaratunga and President Mandela. But don’t grudge it. A picture of Mr. Hameed too was there. That would give a hint as to the history of Sri Lanka’s support for South Africa’s fight against apartheid.

I would strongly refute arguments that we should not fight the LTTE internationally as the LTTE has many offices all over the world and was too strong to fight. We must fight the LTTE and marginalise them before any talks with them.

Last year and this year we have opened embassies in a series of countries such as Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar and South Africa. The Mumbai and Sydney consulates were up-graded to the position of Consulate’s General Offices.

The votes were passed.

---

Votes of the Ministry of Mahaweli Development
"You are going to open a road which was opened in 1980 , don’t you feel ashamed?"

Lakshman Seneviratne (UNP — Moneragala District) moved a cut of Rs. 10 from the votes of the Ministry of Mahaweli Development.

He said: I must begin my contribution by paying my tribute to late J. R. Jayewardene who took a bold decision to complete the Mahaweli Development Programme in six years. This programme was earlier planned to be completed in 30 years.

I also must remember late Gamini Dissanayake, who settled 83,000 families in the Mahaweli land after successful completion of the programme according to the new schedule.

The World Bank refused to assist this project but the United National Party’s Finance Minister Ronnie de Mel managed to obtain foreign assistance required for the accelerated Mahaweli Development Programme.

Today the Mahaweli Minister in charge of the Mahaweli Development area is minus the irrigation component of it. When your government came into power you expressed a kind of disgust even to think of the Mahaweli. That was the kind of regard the government had for the country’s greatest development programme.

You are now on one hand taking action to retrench past employment and on the other recruiting new hands from the Polonnaruwa district.

It is reported that even women from Pollonnaruwa have been appointed as security officers in the Mahaweli offices. They are said to be working as telephone operators.

You are going to open a road which was opened in 1980. Why are you spending money unnecessarily? Don’t you feel ashamed?

The Mahaweli Minister has made a statement that for the first time he had made arrangements to transport rice from the Girandurukotte to the South. This is not true. Rice from these areas were sent not only to the South but also to the entire country as far back as 1980.

I don’t see any progress in the activities of the Mahaweli areas.

Mahinda Amaraweera (PA — Hambanthota District). The Mahaweli scheme was initiated by the SLFP as a long-team project. It was accelerated by the UNP causing environmental damage. We are still affected by the adverse impact of this accelerated project that was completed in 6 years.

We have initiated many development projects under the ministry. I also request the minister to give uncultivated land to the people under the "Jana Udana" and fisheries village schemes. The previous government has not settled people with any planning in the Mahaweli areas.

Rukman Senanayake (UNP — Polonnaruwa District) said: I would like to remind the previous speaker that the Mahaweli Programme was started by the UNP. It was the UNP which laid the foundation stone for the Polgolla Project. This is the history of Mahaweli Programme.

I also want to tell the member that the draught is not due to the building of the Mahaweli Programme. This is a very narrow point of view. Almost every country is affected by draught. The reason is global warming, the El Nino effect.

Do not evict persons who have obtained Mahaweli land from Land Kachcheries. These are poor people who have come there from outside. They are peniless trying to eke out a living in the most harsh climatic conditions.

Tissa Karalliyadda (PA — Anuradhapura District) said: Mahaweli Development area covers two fifths of the entire land area of the country.

We must remember everybody who were instrumental in the implementation of the Mahaweli Development.

Development of the Mahaweli basis was a dream of Late S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike. Late D. S. Senanayake, Dudley Senanayake, Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike, Late Maithripala Senanayake are persons who were involved in the implementation of the Mahaweli Programme. The Bowatenne and Polgolla schemes were completed by the Sirimavo Bandaranaike government.

S. Rajaratnam (CWC — Kandy District) said: The Mahaweli and Victoria schemes claimed number of estates. The people who were displaced under these schemes have not got land and have suffered great hardships. Those who were settled have not got even their title deeds.

The projects and programmes of your ministry should reach these people. Your ministry has not responded to our request to build a Tamil temple near the Mahaweli reservoir.

Nanda Mathew (UNP — Ratnapura Dist.) said: The Mahaweli has not seen any development during the past few years. There is no political leadership given to the Mahaweli development work.

Why don’t you probe into land pillage taking place in these areas? You stopped paddy cultivation and forced the former to grow bananas. But you didn’t get them the market for their produce. You are not making use of ADB funds for the peoples benefit. When we come to power we will see to it.

Jayatissa Ranaweera (PA — Ratnapura Dist.) said: We stopped illegal settlements in protected Mahaweli areas. However there is still some land grabing taking place. There are court cases and we are also prepared to see justice. I hope the Minister will include a irrigation scheme to the ongoing Hambanthota Development Project spaning over 5000 hectares. This will solve the concerns of water shortage of the farmers of the Hambanthota area.

P. Dayaratna (UNP — Ampara District) said: To any superficial observer of a colossal project like Mahaweli it might seem to have caused environmental damage. Does anyone who makes such claims observe the surrounding jungles that has been protected and wild life parks? Mahaweli will continue to serve generations in this country.

There is a reduction in paddy cultivation. You have persuaded the paddy farmers to substitute on land that is conducive for paddy cultivation. The Mahaweli Institute is undergoing a major change with 6,000 of the staff to be reduced and new staff recruited, perhaps with IMF blessings.

A lot of illegal settlements are taking place in protected areas, although the Ministers say that they don’t allow it.

T. B. Mahalekam (PA — Polonnaruwa Dist.) said: I request the Minister to give priority status to the Moragahakanda Irrigation Scheme to ease to water shortages of people in the area immediately.

The Minister initiated a scheme to obtain the rice harvests at 9 rupees in the Mahaweli areas.

P. Harrison (UNP — Anuradhapura Dist.) said: The Minister has been given this ministry minus its most vital organ. Irrigation has been isolated and farmers complaints of water shortages fall on deaf ears. Mahaweli areas have been neglected. Areas like Nochchiyagama don’t have water for cultivation. The chillie and onion farmers have stopped cultivating in more than half of the areas they cultivated before.

If the Eppawela phosplate mine is going to be handed over to a foreign company, I wan’t the Minister to tell us how he is going to protect the people in the vicinity.

H. M. A. Lokubanda (UNP — Kurunegala Dist.) said: In the past soya used to make "Thriposa" was bought from the local farmers. Today Health Department officials have on special liking to imported soya. There is a racket going on and the Minister must look into this.

There is some uneasiness among the farmers over the new land development scheme.

H. G. Nelson (UNP — Polonnaruwa District) said: I want to remind the history of the Manaweli Development Programme to the young MPs who are not aware of it.

J. R. Jayewardene held a meeting before the 1977 elections. He was the leader of the opposition then. The meeting was held in Aralaganwila.

The Dimbulaga B area was thick jungle then. There was a small tank called Pimburattewa. Cultivation was done from water diverted to it by blocking the Kuda Oya of the Maduru Oya.

At this meeting a petition was handed over to J. R. Jayewardene asking him to solve the irrigation problems of the area. He asked the people to send me to Parliament promising to look into the problem of the farmers.

I was returned to parliament. The development programme so started.

Maithripala Sirisena Minister of Mahaweli Development said: Everybody has a natural tendency to claim authorship of the Mahaweli Development Programme because this was one of the most prestigious development programmes ever undertaken in this country.

During the 50 years of our independence the UNP ruled the country for 30 years and the SLFP for 20 years. I must say the UNP was responsible for very large developments.

However, from 1989 to 1994 the Mahaweli Development Programme recorded a dormant period. There was no visible movement in any of the development programmes in the Mahaweli land. In our view this was due to some internal conflict in the United National Party.

When we came into power in 1994, this prestigious development programme passed into the competent hands of Gen. Anuruddha Ratwatte. I succeeded him as full time Minister in charge of Mahaweli Development.

One unsatisfactary feature in the Mahaweli areas, during the UNP rule was the scheme of distribution of land. About 30 percent of Mahaweli land had been given to people who were not farmers. These people had no farming skills. This problem exists still.

The United National Party did not take any steps to provide water to the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa Districts during their 17 year rule from 1977 to 1994.

There were allegations from the opposition that there were problems in obtaining a circuit bungalow when opposition members travel in these areas. I must tell you, that when I was in the opposition I never made use of circuit bungalows. However some Parliamentarians of the UNP when they were in power had been occupying these circuit bungalows. But I will undertake to inquire into the problems and to resolve them.

I never support those who encroach upon reserved land. I have pulled up officers wherever I found that they had failed to take action to evict encroachers.

Mention was made about Gamini Dissanayake who was one time Minister of Mahaweli Development. I want to tell you that the Mahaweli Vihara which Gamini Dissanayake started building stopped after Premadasa became President.

The votes were passed: