4 July 2016 11:44 pm
It is natural that a new government faces problems like a new born baby. As for a new born child, we see it struggling with teeth appearing and crying with a red face. There is saliva dripping from its
We have actually inherited a terrible economy. The previous government has borrowed so much. Our annual income is insufficient for our annual debt servicing with interests accrued. That is the type of economy we have got. The President and the Prime Minister are trying to sort out everything in order to reduce debt burden. We have restored the rule of law. One must realize that the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP)-led regimes ruled the country for 20 years. There was a Mafia that benefited from that rule. That Mafia resists the change. I am certain that it will change.
That is the biggest burden. Our debt burden is the problem. Our exports did not improve.
It is not correct. If we mismanage the economy, critics should show where we have failed. It is inappropriate to use the word ‘mismanagement’ in general context to criticize us. They must name the sectors where mismanagement is taking place.
First of all, what is more important is the direction of the government. By the middle of the next year, people will see the direction. When we took office, we were internationally ostracised. We had no status whatsoever. We got it corrected now. Today, we are heading in the right direction.
Well, as I told earlier, our annual revenue is insufficient to pay debt instalments. Then, how are we going to do the other aspects such as constructing roads, schools and hospitals? I must tell you that the prices of essential commodities have not increased. The prices of dhal, sugar and other consumer goods were not increased. We have given a monthly allowance of Rs.10,000 to public servants. We reduced fuel prices. So, there cannot be an impact on the cost of living as such.
As far back as June last year, I told at several press conferences that former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran was an innocent man. Nothing has been proved against him. He is an Oxford-scholar and gave up his lucrative foreign assignments to serve in Sri Lanka. How many people would do like what he had done? He is a person with enormous international contacts. He knows what international trade is. He was a big asset. He was exonerated by the Supreme Court. He cannot be found guilty by the media.
The Auditor General’s report is an opinion. It is based on assumptions here. It can be right or wrong. One cannot find another guilty based on assumptions. All legislations promised to UNHRC will be enacted in time
We are going ahead with them. All legislative work outlined by Foreign Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera to the UNHRC will be presented to Parliament in due course. There is no time-bound plan. We have been asked by the international community to go step by step.
We are organizing the party at grassroots level. We have appointed new electoral organizers. We are getting ready for the next next election. It will be conducted before March. It will be called for in January after the budget. We will contest under the elephant symbol.
We are confident of winning a majority of local authorities.
I must tell you that our policies are entirely different to the policies of the previous regime. We believe that the private sector has a role to play in the higher education sector.
We need more universities to accommodate students who have got through the G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination. The government does not have enough finance to build more universities. We need the support of the private sector. Now, under the Z-score system, students, even with distinctions for all the subjects, are denied university entrance from the privileged districts whereas less qualified students from the underprivileged areas have the chance. We are not against the system. But, we have to think of students who get through with excellent results. If you take England for example, all students who get through the A/L examination are entitled to university education. But here, students go aboard for higher education. It costs Rs. 14 billion a year as a result.
There are several private sector organizations willing to invest in higher education sector here. They are foreign investors. They are willing to do business with local partners. Some are willing to start universities in Jaffna. There are others willing to come to the Eastern Province and Nuwara-Eliya.
We are having discussions with them. Manipal University of India is in talks with us to open a new Medical College in Sri Lanka. A land has been identified for it in the Bandaragama area. They went to see the land as well and they are keen. I will let you know the progress.
I saw media reports allege health ministry and my ministry were conspiring to recognize SAITM. The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has said it. As far as the higher education ministry is concerned, SAITM degree is already recognized. It was set up by the previous government. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has given degree awarding status to it. There is nothing for us to conspire. It has been an open secret. But, we support SAITM and cannot let the students down. How can we do it? I feel SAITM should be recognized because it will open the door for higher education institutions to come here and invest.
The foreign universities which are planning to come here are awaiting the Court ruling regarding the recognition of SAITM degree. Its recognition will lead to a giant leap in the annals of higher education sector in Sri Lanka. Thousands of overseas students are willing to come and study here. Hence, it will really become a money spinner for Sri Lanka.
When the Colombo North Medical College in Ragama was started, there were similar protests. The GMOA made the same fuss. Today, 50% of the medical specialists in the country were produced there.
We will increase the university intake by 10% this year. We will open five technology faculties at different universities to admit 1800 students.
The government’s stability is in Parliament. In the House, we can garner a two-thirds at any time.
I think if we have a good programme for the future, even the SLFP members will be impressed, let alone the UNPers. The National Unity Government will serve its full term. There is a great understanding between the President and the Prime Minister. They have their respective roles to play.
I am quite confident. There is no turning back now.
Its a setback. Even those who campaigned for it, do not want an immediate divorce from the European Union. With time, it will settle down.