PARLIAMENT

Budget 2022: Milestone of Education Sector in Sri Lanka – Minister Gunawardena

The 2022 Budget is a historical milestone of the education sector in Sri Lanka as it has allocated a humongous sum to address the teacher and principal salary anomaly, Education Minister Dinesh Gunawardena yesterday said in Parliament yesterday.

Minister Gunawardena was participating in the Second Day Debate on the Budget 2022 in Parliament.

Minister Gunawardena said that funds have been allocated to all education institutes starting from primary schools to universities. The Minister added that allocations worth billions of rupees have been done for the education sector through Provincial Councils. With all of that, the allocations exceed 7.5 per cent. “It is a significant investment for future generations,” Minister Gunawardena said.

Minister Gunawardena also said that this year’s Budget has allocated all the investments required to transform the country into a knowledge based generation as promised in President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Vision for Prosperity policy statement.

Minister Gunawardena also said that this year’s Budget outlines measures that can be taken to curtail the wasteful government expenses that have been dragging on for two to three decades.

“In 2019, we had to shoulder a country that was facing a major economic crisis. In 2020 and 2021, we had to face a pandemic. Global economy is also affected seriously. The Opposition is saying they can bring money from countries like the USA. Even the USA recently increased their borrowing limits. The Opposition is just joking. Last week the representatives of the World Bank visited our country and we have several rounds of discussions. We are always ready to discuss. The World Bank will be supporting many of the programmes as they used to. The same Opposition said the Government will not be able to manage the pandemic. Have we or have we not successfully manage the pandemic. So what the Opposition does is to keep trying to convince the public that the Government has failed. That is how they survive.” Minister Gunawardena said.

The Minister said that special funds have been allocated for the drivers of vans and minibuses that transport schoolchildren, and those allocations will also focus on maintaining hygienic transport services.

Minister Gunawardena also said that no deductions were made from health, education, or agriculture expenditure heads despite the economic crisis suffered by the country.

Children, elderly, pregnant and breast feeding mothers and other such groups that need special social care have been main topics of the Budget 2022, Minister Gunawardena said.

Minister Dinesh Gunawardena also said that the economic revival of the country is based on export industries, which will allow the country to get back on track under the guidance of the Finance Minister. Minister Gunawardena said that the same amount of money has been allocated for the development of 14,000 Grama Niladhari Divisions right across Sri Lanka, from point Pedro to Dondra Head. This assures the development of all areas without any party or any other affiliation.

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Allocations made for almost all areas in economy – Minister Chandrasena

The Budget proposal has made allocations almost to all areas in the economy though it has been presented amidst challenges no other Finance Minister had faced in the history of Sri Lanka, Minister S. M. Chandrasena yesterday said.

The Minister added that all the 14,000 Gramaseva Niladari divisions have been included in the development programmes. “Money has been allocated to develop roads, industries and infrastructure in them,” the Minister said.

Minister Chandrasena said further that issues of the pensioners, teachers’ salary issues, women’s issues are addressed through the proposals. The Minister added that the allocations have been made to develop irrigation systems and tanks, agriculture, protect environment, forest conservation and solve Human-Elephant Conflict as well.

The Minister added that going beyond the Chinese saying to give a fishing rod to a hungry man, Minister Basil Rajapaksa has given both food and fishing rod to the hungry people through his Budget proposal for the financial year 2022.

Minister Chandrasena was participating in the Debate on the Budget 2022 for the Second Allotted Day in Parliament.

The Minister said further that Parliament should thank the Finance Minister for taking over this challenge at such a worse hour in the economy. The Minister added that there are many reasons for this draw back in the economy.

“The economy was gradually begun to drop under the Good Governance Government with fiscal mismanagement and Central Bank scam, which paved the way to destabilise the bank network. It was aggravated with the Easter Sunday attacks during, which made the country lost USD 4.5 billion revenue via tourism.

“Under such a economic background, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa took over the Government.,” the Minister said.

The Minister said further that scenario was even worsened with the unexpected Global Pandemic, which again dropped the Tourism Industry, led to many lockdowns, dropped the national production, revenue from locals employed overseas, unexpected expenditure on vaccination programme and other health necessities.

“However, as a clever Minister, Basil Rajapaksa has taken over the challenge to drive the economy forward. This Budget proposal is the blueprint for the programme.

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Finance Minister will steer economy in the right direction – Labour Minister

The economy of the country is caught in a hurricane and Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa has taken up the challenge to steer it to safe waters, Labour Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva yesterday said.

The Minister added that the Finance Minister with the very intention in mind has presented the Budget to Parliament no matter whatever the opinion the Opposition maintains.

The Minister was participating in the debate on the Budget 2022 for the second allotted day in Parliament.

Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said that the Gross National Production in 2010 was eight per cent and it dropped to 4.5 per cent in 2016 and to 2.2 per cent by 2019 and to minus 3.6 in 2020. The Minister also said that the country is locally indebted USD 15,117 billion while USD 6052 billion is indebted to overseas. The Minister added that this is the economic status when Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa is presenting his maiden Budget.

The Minister added that the situation was aggravated in 2020 with the Global pandemic, which spared no nation reversing their economies. “Even China has dropped production immensely, which as a whole has affected the Sri Lankan economy, too,” the Minister said.

“This is the economic status of the country,” Minister Silva said. “There is no point in passing the ball to each other. This is the labyrinth from which, we have to get out. How can we get over this problem?” the Minister asked.

The Minister said that the country receives nearly USD 7 billion from the Sri Lankan employees overseas. The Tourism Industry brings in nearly USD 4.5 billion whereas exports earns USD 10 billion. The rest is from foreign investments.

The Minister added that the revenue from tourism and Sri Lankan workers abroad dropped immensely during the last two years. However if we need to overcome the dollar crisis, we have to increase the dollar revenue and ban the purchase from overseas,” the Minister said.

The Minister said further that the target for migration of Sri Lankans for foreign employment is 100,000 this year and so far, more than 83,000 have been sent. The Minister added that the target for next is 250,000 or 300,000.

The Minister added that the Government has plans to reduce imports and increase exports by strengthening the production economy. Minister Silva added that plans are afoot to increase production of milk powder and food items in the country.

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Budget 2022 addresses post pandemic economic crisis – Minister Pavithra

The Budget 2022 proposals not only address issues in a post pandemic economy but also addresses economic crisis in the country, Transport Minister Pavithra Wanniaarachchi said in Parliament yesterday (15).

“While the Budget focuses on a number of measures to rebuild the post pandemic Sri Lanka economy, which is seriously affected by the COVID-19, it has also paid attention on eliminating salary anomalies, providing relief to the people and on infrastructure development,” Minister Wanniaarachchi pointed out.

The Minister was participating in the Day Two of the Debate on Budget 2022.

Minister Wanniaarachchi also said that every country is preparing its budget this year to rebuild the social, economic and educational conditions that were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, not to provide relief packages.

“This year’s Budget proposes a number of steps to rebuild the post pandemic economy. This year’s Budget has also taken a number of steps to build the infrastructure economy. The highest amount of money has been allocated for education since the independence. This is a people’s budget as it provides relief to the majority of the people,” Minister Wanniaarachchi said,

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Supply of fuel ensured – Minister Gamini Lokuge

Power Minister Gamini Lokuge told Parliament yesterday that regardless of the present situation in the petroleum sector, the Government has taken steps to ensure the supply of fuel to the country. The Minister also assured that uninterrupted power supply will be made available to the people and that there will not be any hike in electricity charges.

The Minister said that there may be minor shortcomings, but the queues for certain products are there because of the private sector manipulation.

The Minister blamed the Opposition for having given control of many of the major sectors to the private sector such as the supply of cement. He noted that while the main raw material used for cement production, which is limestone, amply available in the country, several cement importers are controlling the market and the prices.

Minister Lokuge also said that through the Budget, the Government has created an environment to uplift the rural entrepreneurs and small scale businesses. This segment of society, the Minister said had been neglected by previous governments.

The Minister added that the Government’s plan is to start from the rural level and develop the country as a whole by strengthening the local small and medium scale businesses.

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OUSL LLB Entrance Exam papers leaked – ITAK MP

The LLB Entrance Examination papers of the Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL) may have been leaked before holding the Examination, ITAK MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam told the House yesterday (15).

MP Rasamanickam said that the LLB Entrance Examination of the OUSL was held on Sunday (14). But prior to the Examination, English, Tamil and IQ papers have been leaked by a private educational institute.”

The MP requested both Justice Minister Ali Sabry, PC and Education Minister Dinesh Gunwardena to look into the matter.

“I will give you the copies of papers leaked by a private education institute. Please investigate this as soon as possible.” the MP added.

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Even Bond Scam money to be used to resolve economic crisis – MP Kiriella

The Government’s proposal to move Rs. 8.5 BN generated by the Perpetual Treasuries in the Central Bank Bond scam to the General Treasury was in the limelight during the Second Day of the Debate on Budget 2022.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Lakshman Kiriella speaking on the topic said that the Government is so bankrupt that it is planning to use scam-money to find solutions to the economic crisis suffered by the country.

“We do agree that there was a scam. However, it is such a shame that the Government has to use scammed money to find solutions to the Budget deficiencies. It is such a shame.” MP Kiriella said.

At this juncture, Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said, “Finally they are accepting that there was a scam. During your tenure, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka was robbed in broad daylight. You people are scammers. What is more there to talk about? If a government can rob a Central Bank, what can you accept from such a rule? People like these should be kept in glass cubicles for display.”

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Premier has potential to receive Nobel Peace Prize – ITAK MP Rasamanickam

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has the potential to win the Nobel Peace Prize by resolving the issue of Tamils in the country, ITAK MP Shanakkiyan Rasamanickam said in Parliament yesterday (15).

MP Rasamanickam also said that the Prime Minister, who is at the top as the most mature politician in South Asia, has the opportunity to unite the country once again.

Joining the debate on the 2022 Budget, MP Rasamanickam said that all people want to live together in this country. “However, some people do not like it for fear of losing their vote share,” the MP added.

MP Rasamanickam also said that Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa had a good opportunity to unite the country after the end of the war in 2009 but he missed the opportunity.

The MP also said that Tamil politicians wants to work with all parties in the country and would be willing to assist in resolving the country’s problems. The MP also said that if the Government takes steps to resolve these issues, they will represent the country in foreign countries and bring in the required investments to the country, thereby answering the country’s foreign currency problem.

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Teacher Advisors’ issues will be resolved – State Minister Susil

The issue of Teacher Advisors has been considered and steps will be taken to address the administrative problems, Educational Reforms State Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

The State Minister was responding Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Rohini Kumari Wijeratne in Parliament yesterday regarding the Teacher Advisors’ issues.

State Minister Premajayantha said that the Teacher Advisory Service is essential. The State Minister said that the Secretary in Charge of the Subject has been instructed to look into the issues and the matter will be discussed further today (16).

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Budget 2022 proposes solutions for country’s economic regression – Minister Ratnayake

Wildlife and Forest Conservation Minister C.B. Ratnayake said in Parliament yesterday that the Finance Minister has presented a new programme for the country’s economic regression with a new meaning in this year’s Budget.

The Minister was participating in the Second Reading Debate of the Appropriation Bill.

The Minister said that this is not a candy budget but a budget aimed at creating a prosperous country by developing local industries.

“Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa took the responsibility of developing the country by first developing the village and has allocated Rs. 3 million to every Grama Niladhari Division,” the Minister said.

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Budget 2022 – most useless in country’s history – SJB MP Gayantha

The people were surprised to see the empty budget proposal for financial year 2022 as it was the most useless one in the history of the country, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Parliamentarian Gayantha Karunathilake yesterday said.

The MP said that the Budget had disappointed all including government servants, farmers, Samurdhi beneficiaries, unemployed graduates, small scale entrepreneurs, self-employed persons and labourers among others.

MP Gayantha was participating in the debate on the Budget 2022 for the second allotted day in Parliament.

The MP added that the numbers in the Budget were false and they have been altered to paint a rosy picture of the economy. “This Budget has not been drawn by economists and scholars to be analysed and it is not deep enough for them to analyze,” the MP said. The MP added that it is appreciated by some affiliated people. MP Gayantha said that it it was a general phenomenon with this Government activities.

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Foreign loans will be settled without delay – MP Seneviratne

The Government is prepared to settle the foreign loans without any delay, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National List MP W. D. J. Seneviratne yesterday said refuting the Opposition remarks that the Government is unable to pay the loan installments.

He said that their governments have never failed to pay the loan installments and added that USD 500 million has to be settled this year and the Government is ready to pay it.

The MP added that another USD 1000 million has to be paid next year and the Government is in a capacity to settle it, too.

The Minister added that most of those installments are of the loans taken by the Good Governance Government.

MP Seneviratne added that by 2015 when Mahinda Rajapaksa handed over the Government to the UNP led Good Governance Government, the loan ratio was 72 per cent but when they returned it again to the Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Government, the ratio had increased to 96 per cent.