The Hon. K. Kader Masthan

¶ 01 [4.10 p.m.]

¶ 02 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

¶ 03 Hon. Presiding Member, the actions of this Government are commendable. The reliefs announced yesterday in Parliament by the Hon. President are truly welcome. Fishers and underprivileged families in Mannar and Mullaitivu will also receive these — this is praiseworthy. Even in this period, the President identifies the people’s needs and acts — commendable indeed.

¶ 04 In the past, solutions to issues were greatly delayed. In the present Government, such delays are absent — commendable. Yesterday, the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Defence met. We raised matters identified earlier: release of lands in Mullikulam (Musalai DS Division) in Mannar; public lands held by the Navy in Silavathurai causing hardship; and release of approximately 28 acres in Silavathurai town. The President immediately instructed relevant officials to release the maximum possible before the next meeting and to consider relocating the camp to another suitable place to free the 28 acres for the public. He responded positively.

¶ 05 Regarding the Ilavan Kulam road in Puttalam: at a previous special DCC on disasters in Puttalam, an officer misled the President saying no transport operated on the Puttalam–Ilavankulam–Marichchukkaddi road after 1980. In fact, transport operated until June 2018, when it was stopped. I recounted my prior questions and submissions on this matter. In court, due to positions taken by the Forest Department and other respondents, a settlement was reached that led to this state, not a prohibitive court judgement per se. The President said he would summon the relevant officials and take steps. I thank him.

¶ 06 Today, 40% of fuel distribution is handled by private companies. The Government is subsidising to prevent price increases — welcome. However, many farmers and factories operate in our areas; fuel subsidies for industrial workers were not addressed by the President, and electricity tariffs have risen. Arrangements should be made to provide subsidies there too.

¶ 07 For the upcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year, arrangements should ensure goods are available at guaranteed prices. Otherwise, abnormal price hikes persist and are rarely reduced later. A monitoring mechanism should ensure compliance. Specifically, the paddy price for Keeri Samba has no relation to the retail rice price — mill owners manipulate this. The Government must intervene and correct it swiftly, rather than appearing to support mill owners.

¶ 08 On the Middle East: the US President threatened to “finish Iran overnight,” but now has accepted Iran’s conditions and a temporary truce has been reached. The crude price dropped from USD 110 yesterday to USD 95 today. It was USD 72 before the war began. I believe it will return to that level soon. Therefore, I request the Government to promptly restore fuel prices to previous levels for the people.

¶ 09 As I said last month, if Iran can talk to America, Iran should also talk to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and other brotherly nations to prevent recurrence and cooperate mutually. Just as we cannot accept America attacking Iran, we cannot accept Iran attacking those nations. General peace must prevail.

¶ 10 Please also handle rising racism carefully. A community suffered due to the Easter Sunday attacks; though they lived harmoniously, their lives became questionable. Some are now trying to reignite racism on that basis. The Government must act firmly to prevent it. I conclude. Thank you.