New blood radiates the House 

By Dilrukshi Handunnetti

Following the December 5 polls 38 new legislators made their entry to the legislature although 65 first timers made their appearance last year. The Marxist-oriented JVP that gained entry to parliament for the first time in 2000 increased its ten members to a significant 16 within one year. However, the Sihala Urumaya suffered a defeat losing its single representation in the House.

Against this backdrop, with the call for peace being the theme of the northern-based Tamil political parties, the TNA have collectively returned 15 members. Legal luminary and veteran politician G. G. Ponnambalam's grand-son Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam also made his entry to the legislature representing Jaffna while former Sri Lankan cricket captain Arjuna Ranatunge made his political debut.

The new parliament will also include a husband and wife duo- PA's Ronnie de Mel and his wife Mallika, the latter entering the legislature for the first time, representing Devinuwara. 

With peace being the top most priority, some of the first timers spoke to The Sunday Times about their political aspirations. 

Ven. Baddegama Samitha Thera said there were no " Vinaya Rules" (Buddhist code of discipline) prohibiting him from entering the legislative assembly and conceded that he would abide by parliamentary traditions without losing his position as a monk.

He said he was the second member of the clergy to have entered the legislative assembly, the first being Canon R. Boteju who was in the House of Representatives in 1921 representing Ratnapura. 

"I served in the Southern Provincial Council and had worked for the welfare of the people. I have a political ideology and my mission has been endorsed by the Baddegama people and the rest of the Galle district," he said. 

However, he admitted that as much as there were thousands of monks and laymen showering their blessings on him for the courageous step he had taken, there was much criticism among the Buddhist clergy, laymen and even among fellow legislators who did not want to see a Buddhist monk in their midst.

Arjuna Ranatunge said he was determined to infuse a new political ideology to the House. He claimed he was interested in serving the cause of youth and sports, adding that much had to be done in both areas. 

"I was very idealistic about politics before I entered the arena. But now I realize that ground realities are somewhat different. The cult of violence must give way to a new order," he said adding that if he felt unsatisfied at the end of his six-year term as a legislator, he would certainly hang his political boots and look for some other job to serve the people. 

Ms. Mallika de Mel who had played a supportive role for her illustrious husband Ronnie de Mel said she made her debut in response to a request by the Devinuwara voters.

"I wish there were young people especially young women staking their claims. However, they are not in touch with reality at village level. I will try to launch projects to develop the South," she said.

Another wife who has entered the legislature following the footsteps of her husband is Puttalam district UNP member Mary Larine Perera. Her husband Festus Perera had been a UNP Cabinet minister and she had served the Wayamba Provincial Council as a minister.

"With my husband's decision to retire from politics, it became my duty to provide leadership to the Wennapuwa electorate. There are many problems plaguing the Puttalam district ranging from the shortage of drinking water to issues concerning their livelihood. It was once a very prosperous district with many industries. However, it had a fast decline during the past few years," she said.

PA's Sarana Gunawardhane, the son of the late deputy minister Lionel Gunawardhane is another first timer in the House. He said the recently concluded elections were marked with violence.

Mr. Gunawardhane said there was too much of violence in certain areas including Gampaha. He said a new political culture should emerge where people could live in harmony despite political differences.

UNP's Sanjeewa Kaviratne, a former journalist, is another youth who has successfully entered parliament representing Rattota in the Matale district. He had a stint at the Central Provincial Council before being elevated to national politics.

Mr. Kaviratne said the Central Province had natural resources which could not be compared with any other region. "We need sustainable development for this province and special care should be taken because it is environmentally sensitive," he said.

One of the most colourful personalities in parliament is Ms. Chitra Srimathie Manthilake, the former Central Provincial Council's opposition leader. She was a teacher and a co-operative director who reached new heights in politics during President R. Premadasa's regime. Ms. Manthilake said she was determined to get directly involved in the process of decision making. 

She said women should influence the decision making process by getting involved in politics. "We can talk about it but we really cannot change a system by remaining outside. The UNP is committed to creating a new socio-political order and that requires a committed effort. I would be more than happy to contribute to a nation building exercise," she said.

No major changes in education 

By Nilika de Silva 

At present there was one computer for 10,000 students. The ratio was one computer for every 10 -15 schools, he said.

"Literacy no longer means only the ability to read and write," he said adding that computers and foreign language education played a very important role. "The students need English, computer skills and basic science," he said. 

At present less than 600 from among the 9,600 schools offered Advanced Level science education, Dr. Kodituwakku said. 

For personality development and self-confidence, extra-curricular activities were very important, he said identifying the lack of self-confidence to be a major area of concern regarding Sri Lankan students. 

With 190,000 teachers and 4.2 m. students in the country, 91,000 students qualified to enter the university last year. 

However, only 12,000 would gain entrance, while a maximum of 4,000 would join colleges and professional institutions, leaving behind 75,000 frustrated youth, he said.

"This frustration is socially and politically a real threat to society," Dr. Kodituwakku said adding that the government had plans to double the intake within a short time by creating institutes which could provide tertiary level education.

"Today the labour market is globalised and multi-national companies working in Colombo are on the look out for talent, Dr. Kodituwakku said adding that 30 per cent of the American labour market was made up of foreigners.

"When Sri Lankan professionals are employed overseas, even if they are sending 100 dollars a month, it's a big contribution to our country's economy," Dr. Kodituwakku said. 

The new education minister said he had received a number of telephone calls from Sri Lankan professionals working overseas offering their services for the country's development.

The former Sri Lankan ambassador in Japan Dr. Kodituwakku said in Malaysia, Korea and Taiwan the Japanese model of education was the vehicle for their rapid transformation.

From barriers to boom

A leading businessman said the opening of the Galle Road opposite Temple Trees made access easier, but having offices in Fort, which is the nucleus of business, still remained a problem. He said the opening of closed roads will certainly improve business in the coming year. 

"Subject to security reasons, we would still like to see the roads open as our main offices are in Fort," he said.

Commercial Bank's deputy general manager (Personal Banking) Ravi Dias said business was brisk with the enhanced enthusiasm. There was an increased interest by the people who were anticipating better times during the festive season, he said.

However, some businessmen were still not sure what the future would hold for them. R. M. Ratnapala of Ranaweera Electricals said his business had suffered heavy losses since 1999. While welcoming the move to open closed roads, he said it was too early to comment on the success of the business community.

Old Moor Street Traders Association president K. P. Sundaram said there was an increase in sales. 

Call to eliminate abuse of public property

By Faraza Farook

Following investigations into incidents of abuse of public property to carry out election work during the recently concluded parliamentary elections, the PPP/IHR have identified areas and subjects that need to be addressed urgently.

They have noted that the Elections Commissioner did not have sufficient powers to prevent the abuse of state resources. A report by the PPP/IHR on the findings of the abuse of public property said the Commissioner had no powers to detain vehicles or to deal with any person who abused his authority.

With the December 5 elections seeing large scale abuse of public property, especially by the then ruling party, the PPP/IHR have proposed the amendment to Article 104B of the Constitution or the introduction of a Special Provision Act which will give the Elections Commissioner powers to take action against abuse.

The new law is required to include recommendations such as considering the abuse of public property as an election offence , unseat any candidate involved in abuse, President's immunity be removed in matters relating to abuse, introduce a new law to make ministers and deputies liable for the losses caused and recover such losses from them even after they cease to function in their posts and the amendment of standing orders to ensure that persons with serious allegations of abuse are not appointed as members of the Public Accounts Committee and Committee On Public Enterprises (COPE)

The PPP/IHR have also suggested a caretaker government during elections to prevent the misuse of state resources. Moreover, they said lists of state resources being abused should be compiled by heads of departments while an inquiry should be held and disciplinary action taken against those responsible.

Recommendations were also made to the Bribery Commission, the IGP, the Auditor General and the Army Commander on legal action and other steps.

The PPP/IHR also called for the appointment of commissions/committees to probe institutions identified by them to ascertain their conduct during the elections.

The institutions identified included the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, the Mahaweli Authority, the Presidential Security Division, the Police, the Urban Development Authority, Government Information Department, Government Printing Department, the CWE, the Sudu Nelum Movement, the Rupavahini and the SLBC.

The distribution of political leaflets among the Army prior to postal voting should be inquired into by calling for explanation from the Army Commander and other senior officers, the PPP/IHR said.

The IHR report said the IGP had failed to take steps to prevent the misuse of vehicles during the elections. The PPP/IHR called for disciplinary action against the IGP after calling for his explanation.

It was also recommended that the Auditor General and other heads of department should demarcate the areas of state and political functions to ensure that no political functions was funded by the state.

PPP/IHR project director J. C. Weliamuma said several political events were disguised to be public functions and were held using state funds. 

He cited the opening of an uncompleted bridge on December 3 by a politician in the Kandy province which turned out to be an event to canvass votes as leaflets were distributed and speeches focused on canvassing votes.

As part of a follow up action, the PPP/IHR said if necessary they would institute legal action to compel the authorities to recover losses as well as to take disciplinary action against those responsible for such abuses.