Parliament

Tax concessions to vehicle importers

Sandasen MARASINGHE and Irangika RANGE

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa presided when Parliament met at 1 pm yesterday. After the presentation of papers and oral questions, the House took up several orders under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act and Stamp Duty (Special Provisions) Act for debate.

International Monetary Cooperation Senior Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama: I submit an order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act and two orders under the Stamp Duty (Special Provisions) Act for the approval of Parliament.

The regulations before this House today, was aimed at providing tax concessions to vehicle importers who purchase vehicles to provide transport facilities to passengers from and to the international airport and to release the vehicles imported by the government.

They were also intended to do away with the requirements of complying with the stamp duty when the government was investing in development projects.

Opposition and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe: I requested for a list and register of shares purchased by the government from the Finance Ministry. I asked for a list certified by the Secretary to the Finance Ministry. But the answer given by the government was not completed.

There was no signature of the Secretary to the Finance Ministry in the answer.

The answer did not include the purchasing prices of shares, dates of purchasing and their current market prices.

There were no proper answers for the questions raised by me with regard to the EPF and ETF funds invested in the share market.

If the Finance Ministry was not ready to answer the question, they should have informed me.

Why is the government scared of giving the promised answers is a matter that needs an explanation.

If the Opposition Leader raised a question not only in Sri Lanka, but also in other countries, the ruling party has a responsibility to provide answers to questions.

The EPF funds of the innocent working class, has been misappropriated by the government. Nearly Rs. 50,000 million of the EPF Fund had been misused. It is the people that suffer at the end.

Opposition leader’s allegations are baseless

International Monetary Cooperation Senior Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama: Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe made a number of accusations against the government.

All these allegations are baseless. I must emphasize that the government does not want to hide anything related to the investment of EPF and ETF funds in the share market.

You are unable to state that this was a loss incurring deal. You cannot say this was a loss incurring transaction by highlighting the current prices of the shares in the share market. Our economy is very strong today. The economic growth rate has been registered as 8 percent. So we are able to assure that this investment would not be a loss incurred. Any share market in any other country would have a difficult time. It is a common theory in the world. One day we could make profits and on a another day a loss could be incurred. We are a working class friendly government. We do not hesitate to provide benefits to the working class.

Chandima Weerakkody (UPFA): Today our economy is growing at a fast rate. We need to amend the law for the betterment of the people and facilitate for the development of the country.

These amendments submitted to Parliament would definitely help to strengthen the country’s economy.

Govt should inquire into Nimala Ruban’s death

Especially these amendments would lead to the development of the rural economy. There is nothing wrong with investing money in the share market by the government. This would pave the way for the private sector to invest more money in the share market.

M.A. Sumanthiran (TNA): A political prisoner Nimala Ruban, had died at the Ragama hospital today, due to assaults by Prison officers and the Police. I strongly protest against this incident. There are many Tamil political prisoners in prison, who have been subjected to assault and harassment. I request the government to take immediate action to prevent such illegal activities. The government should also conduct an immediate inquiry in regard to the death of Nimala Ruban.

It is also necessary to provide information of the Tamil political prisoners detained in countrywide prisons to their relatives.

Country’s economy growing step by step

Shantha Bandara (UPFA): Our economy is growing step by step, but the Opposition never utter a word concerning the progress achieved by the government, but try to criticize the development projects. When ships had arrived at the Hambantota Harbour, the members of the Opposition were silent. They make various allegations against the government, targeting the upcoming elections.

We were able to restore normalcy and revive development despite many national and international man made and natural disasters.

Politicos never intervened in the stock market

Dayasiri Jayasekara (UNP): Today we could see the private sector doing their best to get their needs fulfilled by the government. They have joined hands with the government.The stock market has totally collapsed as never before. Politicians never intervened in the share market in the past, but it is happening today.

There is a mafia in the share market. The economy is no more open, but controlled by a few people. We as UNPers feel sorry for this plight.

A.H.M. Azwer takes the Chair

Asian countries have appreciated President’s integrity

Social Services Minister Feliex Perera: Nobody would question or be worried of increasing the tax on liquor. The government reduces the tax by 50 percent on vehicles used as taxies at the Airport. It will be granted to those who have been engaged in the trade for more than five years.

This is to develop the tourism industry, which would bring foreign exchange to the country. The government has identified its priorities.

The President’s integrity has been appreciated by the entire Asian countries. Singapore does not import three-wheelers to their country as it causes environmental pollution.

Tax on imported cars have been reduced

Eran Wickramaratne (UNP): Today we are talking about tax. However, the tax on import of racing cars had been reduced.

Social Services Minister Feliex Perera: It is not true. The tax on import of racing cars had not been reduced.

Eran Wickramaratne (UNP): One amendment introduced today is the vesting of powers to the President to exempt tax on import of vehicles by special persons. It is OK, but what is the yardstick to identify these special persons?

Ranjith de Soyza (UPFA): During the last budget proposals, the President stated that a simple tax system would be introduced to grant relief to the people who had suffered from the terrorism menace.

When the government imposes or reduces taxes, the Opposition makes negative criticism. There has never been constructive criticism.

The Opposition spoke of the national economy, government institutions and selling lands like new borns. They have forgotten that an acre of land had been sold at Rs 2.50 during the UNP regime.

Nimala Ruban died of a heart attack

Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Minister Chandrasiri Gajadeera: TNA MP Sumanthiran, alleged that LTTE suspect Nimala Ruban had died due to brutal attacks by prison officers and police officers. This is a completely false statement. This suspect had been suffering from heart problems for a long time. He was being treated for his illness. He had been transferred to the Ragama hospital. He had died at the hospital and a post mortem examination is being conducted. Therefore, I deny the allegations made by MP Sumanthiran.

No action taken in regard to misappropriation of EPF, ETF funds

Dr Harsha de Silva (UNP): If there had been any fraudulent activities taking place at the share market, the Colombo Stock Exchange should conduct an investigation.

It has all the powers to conduct an investigation. But no investigation had been conducted so far with regard to the misappropriation of the EPF and ETF funds.The government should cancel this loss incurred deal. It is necessary to appoint a special committee to look into and probe this matters.

Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen: As a responsible government, we are always sensitive to the needs of the people. There is a great improvement in the local production sector during the past five years. The export sector has also improved. A new industrial park will be built in Batticaloa.

Another new industrial park will be set up in Jaffna. Through the Divi Neguma project, small scale entrepreneurs have been upgraded into exporters of the country.

Politicos given tax concessions to buy vehicles

Sunil Handunnetti (DNA): When ordinary people cannot afford the recent price hike for purchasing a vehicle, all Provincial Councillors and politicians have been given tax concessions for the purchase of vehicles. Today, government politicians use public funds for their personal purposes.

Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Geethanjana Gunawardena: Dr Sarath Amunugama gave a very meaningful answer to the question raised by the Opposition Leader with regard to the EPF and ETF.

Many Opposition members such as Dayasiri Jayasekera, Ravi Karunanayake, Dr Harsha de Silva and John Amaratunga, have also raised questions previously with regard to the EPF and ETF funds. We have answered the questions in a very transparent manner.

We have acted very accurately at all times. Today the Opposition wants to hide their shortcomings by making false allegations against the government. They shed crocodile tears with regard to the EPF and ETF funds. President Mahinda Rajapaksa, when he was minister of labour, took measures to strengthen the EPF and ETF funds. Only 5 percent of the EPF funds have been invested in the share market and the balance of 95 percent is very safely lying in government securities.

At adjournment

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena, yesterday stated that Sri Lanka was the best country in the region in controlling the dengue epidemic and the government was taking all probable steps to eliminate the epidemic from the country.

He made this observation in response to an Adjournment Motion moved by UNP MP Gayantha Karunathilake.

Dengue spreading at an alarming rate

Gayantha Karu nathilake (UNP): The dengue epidemic is spreading at an alarming rate. Cuba could eliminate the dengue epidemic.

There are various programmes in progress to control it. But they are not adequate.

Janaka Bandara takes the Chair.

Ajith Perera (UNP): It seems that there is no specific treatment for the dengue epidemic.

Dengue is not found in Europe. So they do not do research to find treatment to the dengue epidemic. So we have to undertake research. How much have we allocated for these researches?

A H M Azwer (UPFA): The government is totally committed to eradicate this dengue epidemic. The hospitals and other related institutions work hard day and night to achieve this end.

This epidemic has been identified as a national issue and a Presidential Task Force has been set up to attend to this matter. The people should keep their environment clean to get rid of the dengue epidemic.

Clear legal action have been taken against 5,000 people for not keeping their environment clean to prevent the dengue epidemic.

President has pledged unlimited funds to eliminate dengue

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena: I am happy for making a platform to have a dialogue on the dengue epidemic which has become an issue to many nations.Today around 200 persons die each day in Delhi only. In Mexico, millions are suffering from the dengue disease and in Malaysia too the situation is the same. Cuba destroys everything in a house if the dengue larva is found somewhere in a house. In Singapore a person is imprisoned if dengue larva is found in his area.

The President has allocated Rs 300 million for the eradication of dengue this year.

He has pledged unlimited money for this purpose. I have to say proudly that our country is the best country in the region which has controlled the dengue epidemic.

Special treatment units have been established in hospitals and required medicines made available. The Defence Ministry has deployed around 10,000 personnel for this purpose.

In 1934 -1935, around 80,000 people had died of Malaria, and it had taken around 80 years to eliminate the epidemic.

There is a dengue eliminating month in progress by now.

During the last two weeks, the number of dengue patients had dropped. However, our doctors went to Pakistan to train their doctors to control the dengue epidemic as our dengue control programmes had been successful.

However this mosquito spreads due to the increasing warmth of the environment. In addition, 120 experts to control dengue larva is working hard in each district to eliminate the dengue epidemic.

However, the people too have to commit themselves to eliminate the dengue epidemic.

I have sent letters to all the 225 members in the House, requesting their support to eradicate this dengue epidemic.

The government’s objective is to protect each and every person from all possible disasters and the government led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa is committed to perform its duty to protect the people.

The House was adjourned until 1 pm today.

‘No back-up vehicles for MPs’

Except two policemen, no other security facilities including back up vehicles are not given to an MP, Chief Government Whip Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Guanwardena told Parliament yesterday.

Only two bodyguards, either from the Police Department of the Ministerial Security Division are provided to each MP, the minister said, responding to a question raised by Kurunegala District UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekera. MP Jayasekera said the answer was incorrect as MPs have been provided with back-up vehicles.

Minister Gunawardena: No, what you say is wrong.

An MP is entitled to have only two security men. No back-up vehicles are provided to them.

MP Jayasekera: Those who had crossed over from our side to the government, have been provided with back up vehicles and security men.

There is nothing wrong with providing security, but when you say no back up vehicles are provided it’s a lie.

If you need, I could give the names of those MPs and the registered numbers of their back up vehicles.

Minister Gunawardena: Some MPs have been provided with additional security and back-up vehicles when there have threats.

These allocations of security and its size are decided on the basis of intelligence reports on the threats against those MPs.

Tradition breached when ministers are not present to answer questions

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa said yesterday that it would be an honour to the House if the subject ministers could be present to respond to the questions raised by Opposition members.

The Speaker said so after the government side asked for additional time for ten out of 15 questions raised by the Opposition yesterday.

Chief Opposition Whip John Amaratunga, raising a point of order, said that that the subject ministers should be present with the relevent answers in the House at question time to respond to the Opposition. This basic tradition of the House was breached and violated when those ministers were absent and the government was asking for more and more time to respond. MP Amaratunga pointed out that it has become a habit for the Chief Government Whip, Water Supply and Drainage Minister to read out responses sent by ministers to the House and the latter was not conversant enough with affairs of other ministries to respond to supplementary questions raised by Opposition members.

‘Disabled War Heroes granted Rs 65,000 each’

Chief Government Whip and Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, yesterday stated that an allowance of Rs 65,000 had been provided to each disabled War Hero. He made this observation in response to a question raised by UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake.

Minister Gunawardena further stated that their pension was also inclusive in the allowance. He added that it was this government under President Mahinda Rajapaksa that provided the highest allowances to the War Heroes than any other government.

Supplementary estimate of Rs 500 million for payment of allowances

A supplementary estimate of Rs 500 million had been submitted before Parliament yesterday for several reasons, including paying allowances for the newly recruited graduate trainees to District Secretariats.

Chief Government Whip and Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena submitted the supplementary estimate to pay allowances to the newly recruited graduate trainees to Kurunegala, Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kandy, Matale, Nuwara Eliya, Galle, Matara, Hambantota, Puttalam, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Badulla, Moneragala, Ratnapura, Kegalle and also to pay the salaries and allowances for the newly recruited staff of the National Child Protection Authority.

The supplementary estimate included 50 spending units.