Co-cabinet Spokesman and Minister of Plantation Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said that we must ensure that there is a continuous surveillance mechanism like in most Western countries to ensure that children are sent to schools and they are not used for the child labour. It is the responsibility of all the citizens of the country to prevent such malpractices.
The Minister in an interview with the Sunday Observer said that a significant number of under-aged girls and boys are working as domestic servants without going to schools. Even though there are laws preventing them from getting engaged in such activities, it is an unfortunate situation where a lot of under-aged children are working as domestic servants. When some incident happens, law enforcement authorities including the Police and the National Child Protection Authority come forward to inquire into that and there is a media publicity during that time. However, after a couple of weeks, everybody tends to forget about it. Therefore, all law-abiding citizens should ensure that they provide necessary information whenever and wherever they see such malpractices are taking place.
Excerpts
Q: Lots of concerns have been raised on the abuse and harassment of an under-aged domestic worker by MP Rishad Bathiudeen’s family. Will the Government ensure justice to her family?
A: We are confident that an independent investigation is being conducted and all the law enforcement authorities are forced to ensure justice to the family of the girl who had succumbed to injuries. There is no interference from the Government and that would be an impartial inquiry.
Q: It seems the so-called women’s organisations which make a big hue and cry on women rights have remained silent on this incident. Would you like to comment?
A: That is unfortunate. A significant number of under-aged girls and boys are working as domestic servants without going to schools. Even though there are laws preventing them from getting engaged in such activities, it is an unfortunate situation where a lot of under-aged children are working as domestic servants. When some incident happens, law enforcement authorities including the Police and the National Child Protection Authority come forward to inquire into that.
There is a media publicity given during that time. After about a month everybody tends to forget about it. This is a vicious circle. We must ensure that there is a continuous surveillance mechanism like in most Western countries to ensure that children are sent to schools and they are not used for the child labour. That is the responsibility of all the citizens of the country to prevent such malpractices.
Q: As reported by the media there is an increasing violence against children. Have the Government authorities such as the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) looked into this situation and also found out whether under-aged children are being employed as domestic servants?
A: We have to have a proper surveillance mechanism. The NCPA alone can’t do this. That is why all law-abiding citizens and responsible people should ensure that they provide necessary information whenever and wherever they see such malpractices are taking place.
Q: The main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) through its No Confidence Motion moved against Minister Udaya Gammanpila attempted to create a division within the Government hoping that they can exploit the situation but it was defeated by a two thirds majority. How do you view this situation?
A: It transpired in a manner that proved all the parties in the coalition Government were together in a much stronger manner to defeat the NCM. That has also further strengthened the Government. We managed to get two thirds not only for Minister Gammanpila but also for the Government itself. That has developed the confidence of all the party members. We are working together to ensure that we sail through the turbulent times economically and socially. We want to ensure a better quality of life for the people.
Q: Despite the Government’s decision to ban the use of chemical fertiliser, farmers countrywide conduct protests regarding the shortage of fertiliser for their cultivation. Your comments?
A: The people have got used to chemical fertiliser without any control. When we start whatever the available quantities in a controlled manner, the people are not happy about it. But we have provided sufficient quantities as per the agricultural recommendations for the plantation sector and also for the paddy cultivation. That is why you see a reasonable harvest of paddy of the Yala season. That is over now. We have to face the Maha season and use organic fertiliser. That is a challenging task. So, the Agriculture Minister along with the Fertiliser Secretariat and other organisations are securing some organic fertiliser. They have processed the tender and the procurement has been initiated. At the same time, there is a local mechanism to produce organic fertiliser and organic materials in the country.
Q: The Opposition conducts protests countrywide by violating health guidelines. Some say this would pave the way for creating Covid clusters. Your views?
A: It is good if all those who conduct protests take that into consideration. At the same time, the Government doesn’t want to curtail freedom of expression. That is why the protestors who were taken into the quarantine process were released partly taking that into consideration. Under the pretext of quarantine laws, we don’t want to take people into quarantine centres and harass them. On the other hand, those who stage such protests should take into consideration that there is a grave risk of spreading the disease if they continue to behave in such a manner.
Q: What was the outcome of the recent discussion between the President and the SLFP?
A: I am not aware about it in detail. The SLFP had aired their grievances in relation to governance and also other party matters. They were provided with sufficient room by the President. We hope that not only the SLFP, all the parties of the coalition Government work together to ensure that we create a better society for the Sri Lankan people.
Q: The health authorities have warned the new Delta variant has spread countrywide. Could you explain?
A: As per the claims by the health authorities, there is a significant number of Delta variants found in Sri Lanka. According to the estimates, they say it is about 25 to 30 percent. That is a significant number. That is why our primary aim is to ensure that we immunise as many people as possible. At the same time, all of us have to ensure that we follow the safety precautions as detailed by the health authorities. It is not an excuse. Even if we are immunised, we still have to maintain the social distance, wear facemasks and wash hands for a significant period of time to come.
Q: Medical experts say relaxing travel restrictions has led to an increase in Covid-19 cases. Is there any truth in it?
A: Some countries have brought stringent restrictive measures which have hampered their economies. Sri Lanka also had that experience. For successive years, we have lost about Rs. 8 billion by way of tourism income which had actually put Sri Lanka in a difficult position in relation to debt servicing despite we managed to overcome the difficulties and paid the loan instalments. So, we can’t keep the countries closed forever because that badly affects the economies of millions of people. We have to ensure, we open the country and follow the safety regulations. However, still the risk is very high.
Q: The Opposition says Sri Lanka is in an economic crisis centered on a foreign exchange deficit. Your comments?
A: We are facing a kind of crisis and all of us know that. That is partly because of the world crisis managing the pandemic scenario. Sri Lanka also suffered immensely because of that. All of us are aware of it. We are facing the challenge.
This is a challenge that we should overcome. We can overcome that. Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa also faced a similar situation in 2005 when he came to power. At that time, our foreign reserves were at a very low level which was nearly US$ one billion at that time. We have more than that now. But still we have a risk.
That is why we have to gradually accumulate our foreign reserves. We have to increase our exports and reduce imports.
Despite criticism by the Opposition parties, we managed to pay the loan instalment of US$ one billion. The country is in a comfortable position now. But all of us have to ensure that we work hard and open doors for tourists and increase exports and reduce imports.
Q: Still principals and teachers continue their protest demanding the Government to rectify their salary anomalies. They say they will further strengthen their protest campaign from tomorrow. Would you like to comment on this?
A: I think from their side they have a fair cry. They are relatively at a lower salary scale. The Government has stated policy wise that we acknowledge the fact that there is a salary discrepancy which needs to be rectified.
But we have to decide what the different salary scales are for the teachers, principals and educational administrative service. Once we agree on that, we can execute that gradually on stage wise. The first of such installments will be paid to the teachers by the next Budget. That is what the Finance Minister has also agreed.
Q: Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said that the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is vehemently opposed to the General Sir John Kotelawala National Defence University (KNDU) Bill and they will try their level best to defeat it in Parliament. Would you like to elaborate your views?
A: This Bill was passed in 2007. Since then this Act was known as Kotelawala Defence University Act. It is a degree awarding university. What is going to happen is the consolidation of the Act by bringing in different amendments that were brought in during the past few years. It is only the consolidation and nothing else would happen. The Opposition parties and the people with some vested interests have given different interpretations but there is nothing of such. That will only further strengthen free education and won’t harm the free education of the country.
Q: The Opposition alleges the Government made use of the pandemic to suppress the protests and trade union activities. Your views?
A: That is not true. The Government doesn’t intend to use these health laws to prevent the free expression of ideas by the people.
But those who stage protests should take some precautions and ensure that they don’t take the risk of spreading the disease. It is up to them to decide as responsible civilians.