President provided solutions to some burning problems – Mahindananda
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage said in Parliament yesterday that President Ranil Wickremesinghe has been able to provide solutions to some of the burning problems faced by the country during the past five months. “We will not be able to resolve these problems if we are confined to narrow political objectives when the country is facing a serious economic crisis,” he said.
The MP was participating in the Adjournment Motion debate on the proposal to provide relief to the people in the plantation sector who were unable to meet their daily food needs.
“We believe that the President will be able to provide some solutions to the economic crisis and consider upcoming action if the President is unable to face these crises,” he said.
The MP also said that Power and Energy Minister should be praised for his efforts to provide fuel, electricity, and gas to the people as needed. We have been able to provide some solutions to these problems because of the proper management programmes of the Government,” he said.
He also said that the prices of goods have decreased by 30 per cent compared to last April and steps will be taken to reduce the price of goods even more in the coming period.
People in protests being repressed instead of finding solutions – Anura Kumara
The Government, instead of finding solutions to the crisis, is repressing the people who are protesting against it, National People’s Power Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday said (8). He also said that such repression will isolate the country in the international arena.
Dissanayake was commencing the debate on the prevailing situation of the country moved by the NPP.
NPP Leader Dissanayake also said that the country is now similar to a “Somalian ship” held by pirates.
“The numbers and data produced on the country’s economy is not reliable. Since the Government does not have a clear-cut plan to generate jobs, people’s stress worsens,” he added
Dissanayake criticised the Government’s attempt to postpone the local government election. He said that the Election Commission needs to call for the election after next March. He also said that the Government is trying to establish a delimitation commission with the ulterior motive of postponing the LG polls.
The NPP leader also said that the country needs a new government with a fresh mandate. “The people are not interested in the 22nd amendment to the Constitution, but they are seriously worried about meeting their daily needs such as feeding children and providing medicine to parents.
Public servants cannot undermine Human Rights – PM
Prime Minister and Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said in Parliament yesterday that no public servant can undermine or insult the right to life and right to the fundamental freedom of any child or adult. The Prime Minister also said that the Government will always work on that basis.
The Prime Minister was responding to Matale District Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Rohini Kumari Kavirathne. MP Kavirathne asked about the cases that the Polonnaruwa District Secretary declared that a 13-year-old girl was pregnant and then he again declared that it was a mistake and the decision to be made regarding the District Secretary because the child was under mental pressure.
The Prime Minister said that the Polonnaruwa District Secretary has been informed to clarify the matter immediately and steps will be taken accordingly.
School uniform, teachers’ dress will not be changed –Minister
Education Minister Susil Premajayantha yesterday told Parliament that the Education Ministry will not change either the dress of the teachers or the uniform of schoolchildren under any circumstances.
The Minister also said that different groups including clergy, Old Boys’ and Girls’ Association, and several other parties made requests to him in this regard.
We will not change them. The uniforms like in Finland have been chosen according to the climate of that country. Why should we change our dresses like in Finland? We should also go to its education system,” he added.
Committees to be set up in Parliament included in Order Paper for approval – Speaker
Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana announced to the House yesterday (8) that the 17 Sectoral Oversight Committees to be established in Parliament has been included in the Order Paper of Parliament for obtaining the approval of the House.
The Speaker, therefore, requested all Parliamentarians to extend necessary support to reach a conclusive decision and to begin its process.
The approval for incidental matters related to these Sectoral Oversight Committees and the establishment of the Committee on Banking and Financial Services, the Committee on Economic Stabilization and the Committee on Ways and Means was be obtained at the meetings of the Committee on Parliamentary Business and the Committee of Selection yesterday (8).
Solid programme must be created to fight against child abuse – Opposition Leader
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said that the Government together with all political parties should create a solid programme to fight against child abuse.
He was raising a question under the Standing Order 27/2 in Parliament yesterday (8).
“The increase in child abuse cases reported day by day shows us that we should be very concerned about child protection in this country. It is reported that the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) has also issued a red light regarding child protection here. Therefore, the Government should work together with all parties to protect the children from all abuses including child abuse and give them a safer tomorrow,” the Opposition Leader added.
“In the last 10 years, how many complaints have been submitted to the National Child Protection Authority regarding allegations of sexual abuse, sexual coercion, and cruelty against children under 18? Can this House be presented with a detailed report on how the National Child Protection Authority has acted in this regard, particularly regarding the information related to the penal judgments that have been obtained?” he asked. Premadasa said that arrangements were made to submit a Child and Justice Reform Bill to Parliament. He asked about its progress and when it is expected to be submitted to Parliament.
The Opposition Leader also said that according to sources, there is no protection from the Government or the Education Ministry in case of child abuse in international schools. “Since the children are also educated in these schools, why are these schools not subject to a formal regulation by the Ministry?” he asked.
Wednesday, November 9, 2022 – 01:00