Hon. M.A.M. Thahir, M.P.

All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC)· Digamadulla

Profession: Businessman

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 58 #85 of 225·#1 in party

Attendance 3/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

58 speeches

9 January 2026 AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir welcomed regulations facilitating imports of essential goods for those affected by Cyclone “Dicha,” but questioned why detained consignments of the Holy Qur’an had not been released through specific Cabinet approval, particularly after flood damage and ahead of Ramadan. He alleged continuing unfair treatment of Muslims in government appointments, including Cabinet representation, diplomatic posts, and National List nominations, and called for qualified Muslim professionals to be appointed. He also urged urgent action over disrupted medical services in Akkaraipattu and criticized the reported influence of a “Prajashakthi” group over local administration. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act Regulations HealthcareJustice & Human RightsReligion & Culture Read →
19 December 2025 AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir called for national unity in responding to the disaster and thanked foreign countries and others who assisted, while conveying condolences to victims. He urged the Government to ensure that the President’s promised relief, including the initial Rs. 25,000 cleaning allowance, housing, land and other assistance, is delivered promptly and humanely through local administration, warning that delays could undermine public trust. He requested special attention for flood-affected fishers and farmers in the North and East, whose livelihoods have been disrupted. He also raised concerns about shortages and counterfeit medicines, opposing the relocation of the Nintavur Osusala branch and asking that it remain open with adequate low-cost medicines. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 240 – Programme 02 – Cyclone Disaster Relief (Rs. 500 Billion) HealthcareEthnic Reconciliation & DevolutionPublic Finance Read →
3 December 2025 AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir used the Finance Ministry debate to address the national disaster, expressing condolences and urging the Government to involve the Opposition, experts, civil society and other public figures in recovery efforts. He called for a constructive all-party approach, including using retired cricketing figures to raise international funds, and highlighted the need to restore livelihoods in the Hill Country, North, East and farming regions affected by floods. He requested priority support for essential services, rice millers, businesses, hospitals and restaurants in Ampara and other affected areas, while acknowledging the work of religious institutions, voluntary groups, media, public officers, armed forces and MPs engaged in relief work. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Public FinanceInfrastructureLaw & Order Read →
27 November 2025 AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir urged priority action on flood-related infrastructure in the East, particularly the Mavadippalli and Kittangip bridges, citing repeated tragedies and recent loss of life during heavy rains. He called for the release of lands gazetted as forests after the conflict period so they can be used for cultivation, and proposed using vacant state lands for livestock development to reduce milk powder imports and create employment. He also requested resolution of the Vattamadu pasture dispute, faster completion of land deed distribution under the “Himikama” programme, better use of idle land and rainwater, and public safety awareness in light of disaster risks including tsunami alerts. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) AgricultureInfrastructureLand & Housing Read →
26 November 2025 AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir argued that digitalization should begin with practical access points such as schools, local authorities and Divisional Secretariats, ensuring smart classroom initiatives reach all students and the public is properly informed. He questioned how the previous year’s reported Rs. 3,000 million allocation for digitalization was spent and noted that local authority revenue functions such as stall rent, Stamp Duty and court fees remain undigitalized. He also raised concern that local authorities are spending large sums on private digital systems, calling for better coordination and accountability. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day InfrastructureEducationPublic Finance Read →
26 November 2025 AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir urged the Government to allocate funds to rehabilitate and develop the Oluvil Harbour for fisheries, noting its importance to deep-sea vessel owners in Sainthamaruthu and Kalmunai and the potential benefit to more than 25,000 people. He said fishers affected by the 2024 floods and rough seas had still not received relief, and called for support during seasonal rough-sea periods, preservation facilities at Eastern landing sites, and delivery of long-promised landing sites in areas such as Kinniya. He also requested restoration of the non-functional Sainthamaruthu telecommunications tower and provision of satellite connectivity for deep-sea fishers to improve safety and reduce costly search-and-rescue operations. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day AgricultureInfrastructureSecurity & Defence Read →
24 November 2025 AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir addressed the budget allocations for urban development and transport-related ministries, highlighting neglected infrastructure and unfinished projects in Ampara, Kalmunai, Nintavur, Mannar, and Pottuvil. He requested action on replacing the dilapidated Kalmunai NHDA complex, improving the Kalmunai market, strengthening solid waste management, completing the Velavallodai beach park and lagoon tourism development, and allocating Rs. 470 million to finish the Mannar–Silavathurai Cultural Hall. He also called for rail links to Eastern Province tourist destinations and educational institutions, compensation for land damage caused by Oluvil Port-related coastal erosion, rehabilitation of Hidayapuram Road, and restoration of an abandoned park under the Clean Sri Lanka programme. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Construction and Housing Land & HousingEnvironmentInfrastructure Read →
10 November 2025 AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir welcomed the Rs. 300 million Budget allocation to renovate a long-incomplete building in Nintavur, linking it to earlier efforts by late M.H.M. Ashraff and thanking officials and political leaders involved in securing the funding. He said the Opposition’s role is to raise public concerns, and questioned whether minority areas in Ampara, Batticaloa and Trincomalee had received promised development support, including Indian aid. He called for action on coastal erosion and the inactive fisheries jetty linked to Oluvil Port, compensation for affected landowners, improvements to the unsafe Kalmunai public market and municipal facilities, and the issuance of long-pending permits and better facilities for academics. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading InfrastructureEthnic Reconciliation & DevolutionPublic Finance Read →
23 October 2025 AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir welcomed the adjournment motion on controlling drug operations and said drug trafficking and organized crime must be addressed through stronger arrests and punishments. He linked the drugs problem, particularly in the North and East, to alleged past involvement of military, naval, police personnel or deserters, arguing that it had targeted Muslim and Tamil communities and affected education. He also referred to post-2009 communal violence, the “Grease Devil” incidents, Aluthgama and Digana riots, and the Easter attacks, calling on the government to identify and disclose those behind such events and to resolve tensions between Christian and Muslim communities. Adjournment Debate: Organized Crime, Drug Trafficking and Nation Together Programme (Ratama Ekata) Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionJustice & Human RightsLaw & Order Read →
9 October 2025 AI summary M.A.M. Thahir stated that his question was intended to obtain clarity from the Minister on the matter. He thanked the Minister for the clarification provided. Oral Question 4: Special Schools and Standing Order 27(2) Questions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 October 2025 AI summary Hon. M. A. M. Thahir raised a Standing Order 27(2) question on alleged inconsistencies between Sri Lanka’s marriage registration laws and related administrative circulars affecting Muslims and foreign nationals. He asked the Minister to clarify how the General Marriage Ordinance, Kandyan Marriage and Divorce Act, and Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act apply where both parties are Muslim or where one party is a foreign Muslim. He claimed these rules create a registration vacuum and reports of officials pressuring Muslims to declare themselves non-Muslim, and requested government action to resolve the inconsistency and prevent discriminatory administrative practices. Oral Question 4: Special Schools and Standing Order 27(2) Questions Law & OrderReligion & CultureJustice & Human Rights Read →
8 October 2025 AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir welcomed the Supplementary Estimate and urged that transport allocations prioritize improved public transport, arguing that better SLTB bus and rail services would reduce congestion, fuel use, and hardships for commuters. He requested late-night bus connections from Batticaloa for passengers arriving by the Fort–Batticaloa train, expanded rail services to support tourism between Nilaveli, Trincomalee, Arugam Bay and Panama, and improvements to transport infrastructure in the East. He also thanked the Minister for starting work on the flood-damaged Mavadippalli bridge and called for rehabilitation of the Kittangi bridge, upgrading of the Kalmunai and Sammanthurai bus depots, and completion of several unfinished roads in Nintavur. Debate: Supplementary Sum - Head 117 - Programme 02 (Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation) Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
25 September 2025 AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir supported Hon. Kabir Hashim’s Motion and criticized the Government for not fulfilling its promise to reduce electricity tariffs by 30 per cent. He said poor households face disconnections, interest on arrears, and high reconnection fees for small unpaid bills, and urged that these practices be stopped. He also questioned restrictions on rooftop solar capacity and argued that with available hydro generation and previous pledges to curb fuel and coal-related commissions, tariffs should be reduced to assist households and small producers. Adjournment Motion: Ceylon Electricity Board Financial Status and Tariff Reduction Cost of LivingInfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
25 September 2025 AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir referred to matches held at a privately owned venue belonging to a former MP, noting that events had reportedly been conducted there for about twenty years. He appeared to raise concerns or seek clarification regarding the status or use of that venue in relation to the matches. Debate Continuation: Vehicle Import Regulations Parliamentary Procedure Read →
25 September 2025 AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir supported concessions for tourism under the Import and Export (Control) Act but argued that benefits should reach local landowners, workers, fishing and farming communities rather than only large tourism businesses. He called for better organization of tourist areas such as Arugam Bay and Pasikuda, local sourcing of seafood, improved wages and opportunities for trained hotel-sector workers, and expanded fruit exports including star fruit and Karuthakolumban mangoes. He also urged the Government to release war-affected lands for cultivation, housing and livelihoods, particularly for Tamil-speaking Muslim and Tamil communities. He commended Nintavur schools for winning national Kabaddi titles and requested the Sports or Education Ministry to provide indoor facilities and continued support. Debate Continuation: Vehicle Import Regulations AgricultureLand & HousingEmployment Read →
25 September 2025 AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir stated that his allotted speaking time had been reduced from five minutes to three and requested an additional two minutes from the Presiding Member. Debate Continuation: Vehicle Import Regulations Parliamentary Procedure Read →
24 September 2025 AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir welcomed the child protection amendments but questioned whether they were motivated by genuine protection or political considerations, arguing that legal changes are insufficient without action on issues affecting children. He called for the Government to disclose the masterminds of the Easter Sunday attacks and “ice” drug trafficking, raise Sri Lanka’s voice against child deaths in Palestine, and address concerns about increasing Israeli presence and Chabad houses in areas such as Arugam Bay, Colombo and Weligama. He also thanked the Government for initiating preliminary steps toward a bridge in the Karaitivu–Mavadippalli area after the deaths of eight children during floods. Debate: Penal Code (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Law & OrderJustice & Human RightsForeign Affairs Read →
23 September 2025 AI summary M.A.M. Thahir supported the National Building Research Institute Bill, arguing that a dedicated institute is needed to reduce disaster-related losses and improve protection measures. He raised concerns about coastal erosion and economic damage linked to Oluvil Harbour in Ampara, saying around 10,000 fishing families are affected and calling for the harbour to be reorganized with safeguards for communities. He also urged the Eastern Provincial authorities to grant temporary transfers to HNDE-appointed English teachers, particularly Muslim women posted to distant Sinhala-majority areas, citing language barriers, hardship, and alleged bribery in earlier transfer processes. Second Reading Debate: National Building Research Institute Bill EducationEthnic Reconciliation & DevolutionCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
20 August 2025 AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir said poverty alleviation schemes such as Janasaviya, Samurdhi and Aswesuma have not sufficiently reduced poverty, and called for legal and administrative reforms, including restoring beneficiaries’ access to compulsory Samurdhi savings for education, illness, livelihoods or old age. He requested measures to address transfers and promotion grievances of Samurdhi officers, and compensation or assistance for the family of a Kalmunai Samurdhi officer who died of COVID-19. He also raised concerns that sports selection and support are affected by wealth, influence and ethnicity, and urged facilities and resources for athletes in Nintavur, including a standard outdoor ground and indoor sports complex, citing the area’s contribution to national kabaddi and athletics. Debate: Samurdhi (Amendment) Bill, Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill, Sports Law Regulations, and Judicature Act Rules InfrastructureCost of LivingEmployment Read →
6 August 2025 AI summary Participating in the debate on the Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill, Hon. M.A.M. Thahir argued that CEB restructuring and wider economic reforms have not provided relief to poor households, public servants, or small businesses. He highlighted electricity and water disconnections, including during the crisis period, and questioned the absence of measures such as lower tariffs, subsidized new connections, or assistance for Samurdhi and Aswesuma beneficiaries. He called for reforms that improve services while addressing the cost-of-living burden on ordinary consumers. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Cost of LivingInfrastructurePublic Finance Read →