Foreign Minister
Dinesh Gunawardena
The President in his Policy Statement to Parliament and the nation commended the confidence and support reposed in him by the electorate. He affirmed that he will deliver on the program he has pledged to the people despite the global setbacks due to the Covid 19 pandemic. The President has put Sri Lanka on the world map. After many years Sri Lanka has been recognised as a success story with our achievements on the Covid-19 front.
He also highlighted the key targets of the government : youth, employment education, agriculture production, fisheries and industries sectors.
He has outlined very positive approaches the government aims at in the coming years and also reforms through state ministries. He explained the desired constitutional and electoral reforms.
He secured an overwhelming majority in November last year for his vision of prosperity which has once again been approved by the people with a two-thirds at the parliamentary election – an overwhelming election victory under the PR system which shows the strength of the people’s verdict for change.
He said he will be committed to pursue a non aligned, neutral and friendly foreign policy with all countries which Sri Lanka would benefit. Sri Lanka is respected by all countries irrespective of different political and economic blocks.
****
Media Minister
Keheliya Rambukwella
I think the latest election result is a unique achievement. Through our manifesto we have given some serious pledges to the public which has given us an unprecedented mandate without any reservations about our capabilities. To secure two-thirds majority in Parliament under the PR system is not an easy task. People have shown us their confidence and we have no excuse to fulfill the promises made to people. We have to deliver. We are confronted with that huge responsibility.
I am confident that we will be able to do it under the leadership of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and with the support of all stake holders. The speech of the President was short but to the point, while it answered some of the criticisms directed at the appointment of the state ministers. He made clear where the government would be navigating in the next five years.
I read a recent article by a professor from the Sri Jayawardenepura University where he described how the economy could be turned around with clay products. If you look at Indonesia, a significant contribution to their GDP is made by traditional batik products. What they have is printed batiks whereas we have handmade batik which is in high demand. We must think out of the box and I believe that is the president’s objective. In Indonesia they have a casual day every week for the state sector where the employees have to wear batik to the workplace as a promotional tactic. We will have to overcome challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. If you have the will nothing is impossible. That will be the motto.
****
SLPP MP
Premnath Dolawatte
I was the youngest candidate from the Colombo district under the SLPP, and the youngest to be elected from the district. I received nearly 70,000 votes. I am proud to represent the Parliament as a professional.
Parliament will be a university for new comers. Many said the 225 members in Parliament must contract the corona virus.
We will work with dedication to ensure people will not look at this institution as a waste of state funds.
The President’s Policy Statement today outlined his vision to take this country and its people towards prosperity. We witnessed his words being put to action, with many firsts in the inaugural session of the 9th parliament, in keeping with his vision. This will be a new normal for this country. Under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa no one will be allowed to waste state resources and public funds.
We clearly saw, how the executive divided the subjects for the Cabinet of ministers.
And even the state ministries have been made an important part of the executive.
He had devolved subjects giving them important responsibilities so that they can perform and serve the people.
I’m certain the Cabinet portfolio hereafter will not be a mere means of accumulating wealth. The changes will pave way for the country to make a giant leap towards economic development and I am proud to be part of that program.
****
Irrigation Minister and State Minister of Internal Security
Chamal Rajapaksa
The President’s Policy Statement has laid emphasis on all vital sectors. It has focused on those who have engaged in self-employment.
Earlier, such attention had not been given to a large number of people who are depending on various self-employment ventures.
According to the responsibilities entrusted to State Ministers, the Government is committed to help those who are engaged in self-employment to develop their industries and sort out the issues faced by them.
This would eventually help increase the country’s foreign exchange earnings in addition to developing the tourism sector and upgrading the status of those engaged in various self-employment ventures.
As the Government has secured two thirds majority in Parliament, it has its bounden duty to uphold the dignity and decorum of the Parliament.
****
Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP
Eran Wickremaratne
We will support the government in all their progressive measures. As a responsible Opposition we will also hold them accountable and make sure that the executive acts within the rule of law.
The President’s Policy Statement is welcome, but there are things that we agree and disagree. There will be a debate on it in Parliament. The allocation of time for the debate should be in favor of the Opposition, if not, the need does not arise for a debate.
But they have taken the biggest share of the time allocated for the debate. This is not in keeping with the parliamentary traditions in the world.
The Government has a two-thirds majority in parliament but societies don’t work only on majority vote. It’s true the majority decides but later what is just, what is right and the traditions will get implemented. If everything is decided based on majoritarianism then we don’t need a judicial system. The fact that they have the majority power in Parliament will not deter us from upholding what we think is best for the country and its people.
****
SLMC Leader and SJB MP
Rauf Hakeem
With an overwhelming majority the government may rush through certain legislation that might be ill considered. Our first challenge is to have a healthy pace in bringing constitutional reforms. Any rushed reforms can be counterproductive. We will be focusing on that. Going by the Policy Statement the President made in parliament, he wishes to abolish the 19th Amendment and then look at overall reforms. But getting rid of the 19A totally will be like throwing the baby with the bath water.
We may have to look at certain obnoxious features if at all, and concentrate on changing those anomalies. We should not do away with it completely. As far as reforms are concerned, we are in the dark right now because only the Cabinet of ministers are discussing the changes envisaged.
Hopefully when the draft is available we will have to scrutinise it and see that some positive reforms are put into place. Of course we are concerned about electoral reforms. The favorable features for a multi ethnic country, should not be repealed. There are certain advantages in the current system. Those should be preserved while the disadvantages can be replaced. Applicability of the system especially the preferential system can be revisited, and certainly we can support such reforms to correct those anomalies.
We will be keen on what the government hopes to propose and then suggest progressive reforms.
****
Opposition Leader
Sajith Premadasa
I would like to answer comprehensively and I don’t want to make passing comments on issues such as what our role would be in the future. We will first have a meeting of SJB parliamentary group members and decide as to how we will proceed in the future as the main Opposition party.
****
State Minister and SLPP MP
Shasheendra Rajapaksa
The President is clear in his message to uplift the country. I believe the Opposition will back us to develop the country.
The Opposition is not interested on having the 20th Amendment since they are yet to know what involves the amendment. Some of the features of the 19th Amendment such as the president’s term and the number of times he could contest will not be changed.
There will not be major alterations to the electoral system. We must speak to the representatives of Tamil and Muslim communities on the new constitution. That is why the President sought two years to complete the process.
****
NPP MP
Vijitha Herath
The Policy Statement looks attractive but it will be a huge challenge to implement. The President said the 19th Amendment will be abolished but he did not say that the good features of it will be preserved. That is a matter for concern.
****
ITAK MP
M.A. Sumanthiran
Our party faced a setback in the recently concluded election.There were many reasons for that. We are examining the causes. However, we are still the third largest party in Parliament. Major issues in the country for the past 70 years including the Tamil national question need a political resolution. Although the President hadn’t mentioned anything about this in his maiden address in Parliament, he said there will be a new constitution.
We look forward to participating in the deliberations so that we could settle outstanding issues. The past government tried to bring in a new constitution with the consent of all parties including the party that is in power now. My position is that we don’t have to start from scratch. The draft can be the basis to move forward.
The new constitutional draft was presented to Parliament on January 16 last year. But if the government says it has a different mandate, we will agree, but they could consider it as the base to save time and money.
