Hon. (Dr.) Sellaththamby Thilaganathan, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Vanni

Profession: Veterinary Surgeon

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 10 #211 of 225·#149 in party

Attendance 0/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

10 speeches

21 January 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Sellaththamby Thilaganathan referred to the damage caused by the “Ditva” cyclone, thanked government officials and the armed forces for rescue work, and noted the deaths of five Navy personnel during rescue operations near Mullaitivu. He said the Northern Province continues to face long-standing challenges and focused on the deterioration of education standards, alleging poor administration and inequitable distribution of resources despite support from the President and Prime Minister. He criticized teacher transfer arrangements in the Vanni, stating that many replacement teachers failed to report and that vulnerable students were affected, and called for responsible officials to be removed and competent officials appointed to improve education and economic development in the North. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 2) Security & DefenceEnvironmentEducation Read →
27 November 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Sellaththamby Thilaganathan supported the 2026 Budget allocation for the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock Resources, Lands and Irrigation, highlighting planned irrigation and water supply projects in the Vanni, including the Paliyaaru reservoir, Lower Malwathu Oya, and Kivul Oya projects. He said these projects would address drinking water scarcity, irrigation needs, flooding, pasture shortages, and kidney disease-related groundwater issues, while also noting tank rehabilitation and the release of lands previously brought under the Forest Department or Mahaweli system back to farmers and livestock rearers. He outlined livestock and dairy measures, including Milco’s reported profit, profit-sharing with dairy farmers, district-level dairy development support, funding for NLDB farms, and the phased release of pasture land at Mayilathamadu–Mathavani. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Land & HousingInfrastructureAgriculture Read →
18 November 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Sellaththamby Thilaganathan defended the 2026 Budget allocations for the Defence and Public Security Ministries, rejecting allegations that security forces in the North are involved in drug trafficking or excessive checkpoint deployment. He said military camps and lands in parts of the Vanni had been released under the Government, and that naval personnel in Mullaitivu assist fishermen, prevent banned fishing methods, and help curb drug entry. He highlighted Government measures including arrests of drug traffickers, a planned rehabilitation centre in Oddusuddan, appointment of Tamil-speaking police officers, procurement of vehicles for Northern and Eastern police stations with Indian assistance, and Civil Security Department support for preschools. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionSecurity & DefenceLaw & Order Read →
10 September 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Sellaththamby Thilakanathan outlined government support for agriculture in the North and East, citing increased fertilizer subsidies, assistance for subsidiary crops, and allocations for irrigation and tank rehabilitation in Mullaitivu. He said abandoned wartime lands and tanks are being revived, including work on the Niththakai command area and proposed canal rehabilitation at Muththaiyankattu following a request to the President. He also noted increases in milk purchase prices to support livestock farmers and reduce dairy imports, and said damaged paddy storage facilities in the North are being refurbished to support procurement and storage. Adjournment Debate: Fair Guaranteed Price for Paddy Agriculture Read →
22 August 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Sellaththamby Thilaganathan addressed the Adjournment Motion on Tamil human rights issues, describing the death of Kapilan in Muthiyankaddu as a tragic isolated incident rather than one involving ethnic or religious incitement. He said the nearby Army camp had been removed at local request, with land and fencing to be handed over for civilian and temple use, and criticised the subsequent hartal as economically harmful and politically motivated. He argued that people in Mullaitivu prioritise livelihood restoration over separatism or federalism, and cited Government interventions to secure fertilizer subsidies for 1,200 acres and release water under the Muthiyankaddu scheme. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionJustice & Human Rights Read →
11 July 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Sellaththamby Thilaganathan stated that the livestock sector’s contribution to GDP has declined and identified feed scarcity, particularly grazing access for indigenous cattle in the dry zone, as a key constraint. He said 20,000 acres in Mullaitivu had been agreed in principle with the Forest Department for grazing, with similar steps planned in Vavuniya and Mannar, and proposed wet-zone grazing and dry-zone feed crop cultivation for commercial dairy. He also noted inadequate staffing at 337 veterinary stations and said Service Minutes were being prepared to strengthen veterinary cadres, while emphasizing the need to raise domestic milk production from about 40% to reduce imports and improve nutrition. Private Members' Motion No. 3: Livestock Sector Enhancement AgricultureHealthcarePublic Finance Read →
12 March 2025 AI summary The speech outlined Budget allocations for agriculture, livestock, lands and irrigation, including funding for MILCO, and argued that the livestock sector has been weakened by shortages of veterinary staff, outdated vehicles, inadequate fuel and insufficient allowances. It raised concerns that farmers receive low prices while intermediaries capture high margins, and supported proposed government mechanisms through cooperatives and MILCO to improve paddy and milk marketing. It criticized past imports of unsuitable dairy cattle, particularly to dry-zone areas, and emphasized the suitability of indigenous cattle and buffalo systems in the North and East. A request was made to provide controlled grazing access on lands under Forest and Wildlife authorities, citing relevant forest and wildlife legislation and the cultural and livelihood role of cattle rearing. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation AgricultureLand & HousingEmployment Read →
28 February 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Sellaththamby Thilaganathan stated that the 2025 Defence Ministry allocation of Rs. 442 billion reflects a 3 percent increase, mainly due to salary increments for the armed forces, and linked national security to economic growth indicators such as tourism and the stock market. He outlined allocations across the Army, Navy, Air Force, Civil Security Department, disaster management and development activities, noting nearly Rs. 5 billion for the Kotelawala Defence University and its expansion. He also said military-occupied lands in the Northern Province are being released in stages, giving figures for Mullaitivu District and stating that the remaining lands would soon be released for public use. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) InfrastructureSecurity & DefencePublic Finance Read →
25 February 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Sellaththamby Thilaganathan supported the 2025 Budget, highlighting allocations for Northern Province development, including Rs. 5,000 million for rural roads and district-level funding which he argued prioritizes war-affected areas on a per capita basis. He cited plans to revive the Kankesanthurai cement factory, Paranthan Chemical Company and Ottuchudanil tile factory, and to rehabilitate the Vattuvagal bridge. He also outlined proposed facilities and services for Mullaitivu and Mannar, including Fire Brigade units, hospital expansion, a public library, cultural centres, and grazing arrangements for cattle near the Kattukkarai tank. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 (Continuation Day 7) AgriculturePublic FinanceInfrastructure Read →
22 January 2025 AI summary Hon. Sellaththamby Thilaganathan argued that the Vanni District’s resources, including forests and river sand, were exploited after 2009 under the guise of development, while key livelihoods such as agriculture, livestock and fishing were neglected. He called for grazing land to be allocated for livestock farmers, highlighted low milk producer prices, inadequate veterinary services in Mullaitivu, and the decline of animal husbandry’s contribution to national production. He also raised concerns about exam paper errors, the military occupation of the Co-operative Training School in Vavuniya, the continued closure of the Vavuniya Economic Centre, and the absence of Mahaweli water for the Vanni region, stating that the Government would address these issues. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme (Postponed from 2025-01-21) AgricultureEmploymentCost of Living Read →