Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan, M.P.

Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK)· Batticaloa

Profession: ---

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Speeches 65 #77 of 225·#5 in party

Attendance 6/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

65 speeches

5 June 2025 AI summary Gnanamuththu Srineshan welcomed amendments to the National Transport Commission Act, arguing that reforms are needed to reduce delays, corruption and malpractice in transport administration, including route permits, driver licensing, road works and procurement. He urged action on an alleged Rs. 760 million fraud in the Batticaloa–Trincomalee road rehabilitation tender, the recovery of misused public funds, and the prompt appointment of qualified Road Development Authority engineers following completed interviews. He requested phased rehabilitation and construction of several bridges in Batticaloa to improve connectivity across the lagoon, asked for restoration of the previous Colombo–Batticaloa rail timetable to suit onward commuters, and also called for expedited appointments to fill the shortage of school principals. Debate: National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading InfrastructureCorruption & Governance ReformEducation Read →
4 June 2025 AI summary Four petitions from Mr. T. Shanmugalingam of Warnamedu, Tampalakamam, were presented to Parliament. Papers: Annual Reports and Committee Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
10 April 2025 AI summary Gnanamuththu Srineshan condemned the torture documented in relation to the Batalanda Housing Scheme and argued that accountability must apply equally to abuses committed in the North, East and South against all communities. He detailed the alleged 1990 Sathurukondan massacre in Batticaloa, stating that 186 civilians were killed after a cordon-and-search operation and calling for prosecutions after decades without justice. He also welcomed recent arrests in connection with killings in the East, including the murder of Professor Ravindranath, and requested that pending Road Development Authority appointments, including Eastern Province posts, be completed through proper administration. Debate: Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Batalanda Torture Chambers Law & OrderJustice & Human RightsEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
20 March 2025 AI summary Gnanamuththu Srineshan argued that decades of poor fiscal management, planning failures and ethnic conflict had weakened Sri Lanka’s economy, citing tax cuts, the fertiliser ban, continued import dependence and post-war stagnation. He urged the new Government to address past mistakes, complete 3,325 unfinished State-funded houses in Batticaloa District by allocating the revised requirement of Rs. 2,724.79 million, and provide fair support to flood-affected farmers. He also called for justice and meaningful redress for over 4,000 cases of enforced disappearance, rejecting inadequate compensation as insufficient for affected Tamil families. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Corruption & Governance ReformPublic FinanceLand & Housing Read →
12 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan urged the Government to prioritize the Mundeni Aru irrigation project, including linking the Urukamam and Kithul tanks, citing potential benefits for irrigation of about 25,000 acres, drinking water supply, inland fisheries, minor tanks, seed production and tourism, with possible AFD concessional funding and grants. He also called for enforcement of court orders to remove illegal settlers from the Mayilathamadu grazing lands used by traditional cattle herders. He further requested fair guaranteed prices, timely fertilizer support and compensation for farmers, and plans to capture floodwaters from tanks such as Kandyian Aru and Adaichakal to reduce flooding and support agriculture. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation InfrastructureLand & HousingAgriculture Read →
11 March 2025 AI summary Requested the opening of the closed internal or fence-line path within the airport area to restore a shorter route for local people. He stated that residents now travel 2.5 kilometres with multiple bends instead of a direct 400-metre path, and asked that relief be provided on their behalf. Adjournment Debate: Batticaloa Airport Land Acquisition and Release Infrastructure Read →
11 March 2025 AI summary Gnanamuththu Srineshan moved an Adjournment Motion regarding families displaced by the 1985 expansion of Batticaloa Airport, stating that residents from five villages lost homes, fields, roads, schools and other properties. He said around 250 families received alternative lands but, after nearly 30 years, still have no formal deeds and are being asked to pay large lease charges before deeds are issued. He requested that unconditional deeds be granted for the replacement lands and that the former public road, or at least a path along the airport fence, be opened to reduce local hardships. Adjournment Debate: Batticaloa Airport Land Acquisition and Release Land & HousingJustice & Human RightsParliamentary Procedure Read →
11 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan urged the Government to implement the digital economy agenda beyond urban areas by ensuring reliable telecommunications and internet access in rural and difficult areas, including parts of Batticaloa District and the North. He called for school and university curricula to be aligned with digital economy, science, technology and labour market needs, highlighting graduate unemployment and shortages of science, mathematics and ICT teachers in disadvantaged areas. He also requested practical measures to create employment for unemployed graduates and raised separate education-related concerns, including delays in Grade 5 Scholarship cut-off marks and appointments of acting principals who passed the Class 3 Principals’ Service exam. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) EducationInfrastructureEmployment Read →
10 March 2025 AI summary Gnanamuththu Srineshan supported the appointment of a qualified Education Minister and urged the Ministry to prioritize equitable education for poor students in difficult and very difficult areas, particularly in Batticaloa District. He highlighted shortages of teachers and technology, unsafe conditions caused by elephant intrusions near schools, and deprived conditions in areas including Vakarai, Kattumurivu and related villages. He also raised salary and seniority anomalies affecting Teacher Advisors and requested revised scales consistent with their position in the education hierarchy. On higher education, he called for university programmes to be aligned with employment opportunities and asked that the pending appointment of a competent and honest Vice-Chancellor for Eastern University be expedited. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Seventeenth Allotted Day – Committee Stage Education Read →
7 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan stated that while the central road within the airport cannot be opened, the road running along the airport fence could be made accessible. He noted that part of it is already open despite obstructions and nearby housing, and requested that instructions be issued to open it fully. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Infrastructure Read →
7 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan raised transport and infrastructure concerns in Batticaloa, requesting new bus driver appointments, replacement of ageing buses, and permanent appointments for long-serving temporary Road Development Authority workers. He also asked for salary relief for railway level crossing guards reportedly earning about Rs. 6,000 despite many years of service. He highlighted the displacement of around 300 families during the 1985 Valachchenai airport expansion, noting that alternative lands given in 1997 still lack deeds, and requested action to issue ownership documents and improve access by reopening or repairing a road along the airport fence. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) EmploymentInfrastructureLand & Housing Read →
5 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan supported Hon. Rajeevan’s Motion, stating that drug use, distribution, illicit liquor production and the proliferation of bars have increased in the North and East after the war. He urged the Government to translate its “Clean Sri Lanka” vision into firm action through coordinated work by the Governor, civil administration, military and Police. He also called for identifying and acting against any Police or military personnel who assist drug-related activities, citing the case of former senior Police officer Deshabandu Tennakoon as an example of alleged involvement at high levels. Adjournment Motion: Jaffna - Social Impact of Drug Addiction Among Youth Law & OrderSecurity & DefenceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
5 March 2025 AI summary Gnanamuththu Srineshan highlighted inadequate transport and road facilities in difficult rural areas. He renewed his request to Hon. Bimal Rathnayake to construct the Kattumurivu road for indigenous communities, fishers, and farmers, urging immediate action to strengthen public confidence in the Government. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 AgricultureInfrastructure Read →
5 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan urged the Fisheries Ministry to revive several idle fisheries and aquaculture facilities in Batticaloa, including a prawn hatchery, fish fry production centre and ice plant, and to address licensing and authorization issues in prawn farming projects in Vakarai. He called for stronger fisheries development from Kathiraveli to Kallar, new or improved harbour facilities, fair distribution of boats and gear, and revitalization of the Ocean University regional campus at Kallady–Navalady. He also raised concerns about illicit liquor, drugs and violent “sword culture” incidents in Batticaloa, asking authorities to act promptly and ensure more effective policing. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 AgricultureCorruption & Governance ReformLaw & Order Read →
4 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan argued that the unitary system and inadequate power sharing have failed to address human rights, reconciliation, the economy, and the national ethnic question, and called for a federal-type political solution and reforms to the provincial council system. He requested administrative restructuring in Batticaloa District, including splitting large divisional secretariats such as Eravur Pattu and Porativu Pattu and resolving the long-pending Kalmunai North Divisional Secretariat issue. He also criticized the 60:40 mixed electoral model for local authorities, saying it creates unstable councils and opportunities for bribery, and proposed either a fully proportional system or a 70:30 ward-proportional model. Appropriation Bill 2025 — Twelfth Allotted Day — Committee Stage Parliamentary ProcedureEthnic Reconciliation & DevolutionCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
4 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan argued that the Provincial Council system established under the 13th Amendment has been weakened through the removal or non-implementation of key powers, including land and police powers, the separation of the North and East, and the transfer of functions such as Divineguma to the Centre. He said overlapping responsibilities in education, health, and roads, inadequate funding, deteriorating provincial services, and the failure to hold Provincial Council elections since 2018 have made the system ineffective. He urged the Government to restore powers to Provincial Councils and implement genuine devolution as a means to address the national question, promote peace, and support development. Appropriation Bill 2025 — Twelfth Allotted Day — Committee Stage InfrastructureEthnic Reconciliation & DevolutionCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
21 February 2025 AI summary Gnanamuththu Srineshan stated that Trincomalee is also affected and urged the Minister to increase administrative capacity in Batticaloa. He specifically requested more offices, officers, vehicles and drivers to address the situation. Oral Question: Compensation for Natural Disaster Damages (Q. First Round) Law & Order Read →
21 February 2025 AI summary Gnanamuththu Srineshan raised concerns about increasing human-elephant conflict in Batticaloa, citing recent incidents in Kokkatticholai and Siththandi and shortages of Wildlife Department offices, personnel, vehicles and drivers compared with neighbouring Ampara. He requested urgent expansion of wildlife services in Batticaloa, including more officers, guards, vehicles and drivers, and noted that a previously announced staffing programme had not materialized. He also asked that scientific elephant population-control methods be explored, while stating he did not support culling. Oral Question: Compensation for Natural Disaster Damages (Q. First Round) EnvironmentInfrastructure Read →
21 February 2025 AI summary Gnanamuththu Srineshan asked the Minister of Environment for detailed data on Sri Lanka’s forest extent, elephant-suitable habitats, and the wild elephant population. He sought annual figures from 2020 to 2024 on human injuries and deaths caused by elephants and elephant deaths linked to human-elephant conflict. He also asked whether the elephant population exceeds available forest cover, what mechanisms exist to control it, whether such measures will be implemented, and what methods are available to reduce destruction caused by wild elephants. Oral Question: Compensation for Natural Disaster Damages (Q. First Round) Security & DefenceEnvironment Read →
19 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan said the Budget contains welcome progressive measures, including welfare expansion, education and health allocations, plantation wage increases, anti-intoxicant goals, the Clean Sri Lanka programme, and funding for the Jaffna Library and Vattuvagal Bridge. He argued, however, that the Eastern Province, particularly Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Digamadulla, has received no specific equitable development allocation despite war damage and recent flood losses. He called for Budgetary attention to stalled bridge projects and lagoon/tank crossings in Batticaloa, including links such as Naripul Estate–Pankudaveli, Thikilivattai–Sandiveli, Kinnaadi–Murukandy and Mandur–Kurumanveli, to address flooding, transport and economic development needs. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Public FinanceInfrastructureEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →