News
Wiggy calls for change of heart among leaders, questions continuing high defence spending
By Saman Indrajith
Thamizh Makkal Thesiya Kootani (TMTK) Jaffna District MP C. V. Wigneswaran, speaking in Parliament, yesterday, demanded to know from the government how and why the defence expenditure of the budgets kept on increasing even though the war was over more than a decade ago.
Participating in the second reading debate on budget 2021, MP Wigneswaran said: “War is over but our Defence expenses are going up. Why? Is the government expecting another war, and if so with whom? The Tamils or the Indians or the Western countries? Whom is our government afraid of? Why are we arranging for war time security needs rather than post-war security needs?
“The Sinhalese are getting ready for war because you suspect the Tamils. Is it not suspicion, fear and hatred that drive you to arm yourself the modern armaments at great cost? As a result have we not swelled up our national debt? A debt prejudicial to you and us!
“Why don’t you think of mending your fences with the Tamil speaking and obtain the goodwill of lakhs and lakhs of Tamils driven away by you and living abroad? What stands between reconciliation and prosperity is your hesitation to take correct decisions.
“If the defence budget is reduced more money could be allocated for debt repayment, thereby ensuring macroeconomic stability. Are you not cutting your nose to spite your face? Are you not procuring armaments, artillery, armour and infantry because you are suspicious of sections of your own citizenry who reacted to your prejudicial discriminatory unilateral activities of the past?
“As Buddhists don’t you realise that you are traversing on a karmic suicidal path? Buddhism says our actions today fashions our life tomorrow. If we think outside the box, so to say, today, and act accordingly our path tomorrow might lead us to prosperity and contentment.
“It was King Ashoka who realised the futility of war, violence and vindictiveness. On that realisation he changed course. The time has come for a change. With a two-thirds majority in Parliament you could bring peace, reconciliation and prosperity or death, damage and destruction. The choice is yours!
“The need of the hour therefore is a change of heart among Sinhalese leaders. A change of heart on your part would bring bout positive results. You must take us into your confidence. Eleven years after the war ended, the war affected northern and eastern provinces lag behind the rest of the country economically. So, it is time you granted self-government to the North and East and allow us and our diaspora to help you and us economically. Let us together move this country towards peace and prosperity.”
The Sri Lanka Navy rendered assistance to bring ashore an ill fisherman, who was aboard a local multi day fishing trawler on the high seas south-west of Sri Lanka, about 881 nautical miles (1631km) off Dondra. Initially, the fisherman was taken aboard a Merchant Vessel in the sea area, on being coordinated by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo. After being brought ashore today (15th October 2024), he was rushed to the National Hospital of Colombo, for medical attention.
The local multi day fishing trawler “Sun City 02” (Reg No. IMUL-A- 1671 MTR) was reported to have left the Dikkowita Fisheries Harbour with 06 fishermen on 29th August 2024 on a fishing voyage. Meanwhile, the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DFAR) alerted MRCC Colombo established in the Navy Headquarters that a crew member onboard the fishing trawler has developed an abdominal illness, and requested Navy’s assistance to transfer him ashore for treatment.
In the meantime, a nearby Merchant Vessel named ‘MV – CCNI Andes’ was directed to the trawler’s location to provide assistance, through the coordination of MRCC Colombo.
With the assistance of MRCC Colombo, the Merchant Vessel managed to retrieve the fisherman and he was brought to the Colombo Offshore Patrol Limit (OPL) by this morning, while administering first aid.
Following this, the Sri Lanka Navy dispatched a Fast Attack Craft (FAC), attached to the Western Naval Command, to the Colombo Offshore Patrol Limit (OPL), where they took on board the ill fisherman and brought him ashore.
The Sri Lanka Navy in coordination with MRCC Colombo continues to exemplify its dedication and unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives within Sri Lanka’s search and rescue jurisdiction, serving as a beacon of hope and security for seafarers and the fishing community.
Although, approval had been granted at the cabinet meeting held on 21-08-2024 to make remedial measures for the unfavorable effects to the fishing industry due to the considerable increase of the price of fuel, the said decision has not been implemented so far.
Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Agriculture, Land, Livestock , Irrigation, Fisheries and Water Resources to provide following concessions for a period of six (6) months with effect from 01-10-2024 with the objective of uplifting the economic condition of the fisheries community.
• To grant an allowance of Rs.25 per liter of diesel, subject to the maximum of rupees 300,000 per month for fishing vessel owners who utilise diesel.
• To provide “fishing industry recovery allowance” of Rs 25/- per liter of kerosene for vessel owners who obtain kerosene as a fuel, subject to a maximum of 15 liters of kerosene per day and 25 days per month.
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the President to reestablish the Food Policy Committee comprising of the following officers.
• Secretary to the President
• Secretary to the Prime Minister
• Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, Policy Compilation, Planning and Tourism
• Secretary, Ministry of Power and Energy
• Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Land, livestock, Irrigation, Fishery and Water Resources
• Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Council, Local Government and Labour
• Secretary, Ministry of Trade, Commercial, Food Protection\, Cooperative
Development, Industry and Entrepreneurship, Development
• Ministry of Health
• Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation
• Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Wildlife, Forest Resources, Water Supply, Plantation and Community Infrastructure Facilities
The food policy committee had been established as per the cabinet decision dated 03-10- 2022.
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