Time to deliver

That the Government would romp home on the budget vote in Parliament on Monday was a forgone event and came as no surprise to its bitterest opponent. The Second reading vote already provided the trend in the voting pattern so much so that Monday was a mere formality.

The budget itself was crafted at a difficult time when a global recession has threatened many economies. It is to credit the Government that it has managed to overcome this threat through its far sighted national production drive that was carried out in earnest under the special direction of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Budget 2009 too has given pride of place to Agriculture development to take this programme forward. The increased allocation for scientific research too is a laudable feature since the importance of technology the expansion of the IT sector cannot be over emphasised in the current context of world trends.

In this regard the country has also received to boost to its energy sector with the commissioning of the Kerewalapitiya thermal power project yesterday by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, adding 300 megawatts to the national grid. The commissioning of Norachcholai in near future would in great measure help meet the present heavy demand on electricity at reduced costs providing relief to the consumers.

The four budgets by President Rajapaksa so far is on course towards achieving the goals of his 10 year development plan for the country. With the North conflict which has bled the economy on the verge of being resolved, it is the wish of all that these goals would reach fruition spelling economic prosperity to the country. In this context the proposals in Budget 2009 would assume significance. It is important to ensure the targets are met so as to keep the overall development plans on course.

It has been our past experience that all grandiose proposals and relief programmes announced by Finance Ministers failing to meet targets. Many such projects have either fallen by the wayside or proceed at snails pace not benefiting the public in any tangible form.

Now that the lawmakers have set the course it is upto the officials especially its top ranks now to see to it that a proper monitoring process is in place to ensure the full implementation of budget proposals. It is the expectation of the public that proposals enunciated in the budget would be implemented in all earnest and the relief promised speedily delivered. In this respect the cooperation of all segments is vitally important.

Since the heat of the budget debate is over the opposition too should put behind the rancour and bitterness generated during month long budget debate and extend its cooperation to the Government to implement the budget proposals in full. The Government too should ensure that the wheels of administration roll smoothly so that the budgetary relief will be felt in a tangible form by the public. For as mentioned it has been the experience of the past that most budgetary proposals remain still born or failed to have any impact either due to bureaucratic lethargy or a freezing of funds.Hence there is a need to ensure that the full allocation of Budget for each Ministry be expended so that optimum benefits will accrue to the people.

One yardstick for all

Today is International Human Rights Day. There will be the usual resolutions and charters drawn up to promote human rights and freedom from torture.

Today the subject of Human Rights as assumed a new dimension and grown in proportion to the rapidly rising conflict situations in the world.In this respect the role played by Human Rights groups the world over needs to be acknowledged and appreciated for the noble cause of feeling for their fellow human beings and agitating against oppression.

There are also times when these HR activists overstep their remit and conduct themselves in ways that amounts to interference into the affairs of sovereign states. It is in this context that the whole subject of human rights is bound to come under scrutiny by nations who have been subject to this treatment. It is no secret that many Human Rights organisations today are a facade for rich NGOs with sinister designs to undermine the sovereignty of small nations. Sri Lanka has had its fare share of Human Rights activists who provide a distorted picture of Sri Lanka vis a vis the ongoing conflict. The whole purpose appears to be aimed at stalling international aid to the country and forcing the Government to slow down the current military operations.

No right thinking persons would object to defending of Human Rights. The question however is the different yardsticks that are being applied in the evaluation of Human Rights protection. International Human Rights organisations today are mum on the many violations carried out in Afghanistan and Iraq by the US forces but are quick to pounce on countries such as Sri Lanka who are waging a back to wall battle against terrorists threatening their sovereignty.