The Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath

¶ 01 Greetings, Hon. Presiding Member. I am pleased to participate in today’s debate on the contemporary situation. Due to the war situation now prevailing in the Middle East, our country too has faced many difficulties and problems. Most importantly, issues relating to fuel, electricity tariff hikes, price increases of goods, and the resulting pressures on people’s lives have arisen. I welcome the relief measures the Government and His Excellency the President have moved to provide in some areas. However, many serious challenges remain.

¶ 02 Particularly, as relief has been given to fishermen engaged in the fishing industry, similar relief should be given to farmers. In our district, cultivation is ongoing. Farmers are facing severe hardships due to the fuel price hikes. If they do not get a fair price for their paddy, they will suffer losses despite the significant expenses they incur to increase food production. Though they do all they can, in the end they end up in loss. This has happened in the past as well, and today no adequate measures have been taken to prevent a recurrence. Electricity and fuel price hikes have imposed further burdens, and there are insufficient plans or actions to mitigate the impact on people and on sectors such as the private sector that are affected.

¶ 03 I therefore expect the Government to act more effectively and propose practical plans that can be implemented. Instead of Government and Opposition repeatedly blaming each other over who ruled the country, we need constructive programmes that deliver real benefits to the people.

¶ 04 I must also point out district-related matters. This morning, many issues were raised in this House concerning the Department of Archaeology. I express my concern that the Hon. Minister’s answers were not satisfactory. Minorities in this country have long faced injustices, and such a situation seems to be continuing. Many programmes advanced through the Department of Archaeology reflect majoritarian bias. For example, in our last District Development Committee meeting, we raised the issue regarding a Vihara established at Nediyakal Malai. For over one and a half years, the Department could not provide a response about the research. Initially, it was said in both the Divisional Coordinating Committee and the District Committee that it was constructed illegally without the Department’s approval. But at the most recent meeting, the story changed to say it was built with Archaeology’s approval. How, in such a climate, can minorities have confidence in this Government?

¶ 05 I went to Trincomalee recently to participate in a pooja organized by our district people. A bell brought from London could not be installed due to lack of permission—though they have been seeking approval from the Department of Archaeology for three years. Yet 58 shops operate there without any permission, and because they are owned by members of the majority community, permission is effectively permitted. Meanwhile, for simple facilities such as an employee room in the temple or other basic works, people have been waiting for years. In this scenario, how will you proceed quickly and according to law and evidence? The Minister claimed actions are based on law and evidence, but in reality the so-called experts are biased, and the “evidence” is often contrived. In a time when the country’s economy is weak, how can Tamil or other minority communities place faith in this Government?

¶ 06 The present economic crisis is shaped by geopolitical and multiple contextual factors. Yet, repeatedly trying to rebuild the economy without including minorities equally and without their participation has led to failure. Past governments made such mistakes; this Government should not repeat them now or in the future. We should, at least on a legal basis, ensure that everyone in Sri Lanka can live with equality.

¶ 07 Look at what is happening in Trincomalee: for three years, a bell cannot be installed at Thirukoneswaram, yet 58 shops operate without any legal approval. Where is the law? Where is equality? This is why, in the past, the Tamil nation pursued its demands through peaceful means for a long time, and such pressure contributed to war. We earnestly desire that such a situation should not recur. The Government must guarantee equal treatment for the people living there and take concrete action.

¶ 08 There are many other issues to highlight. In our district, illegal liquor production has not yet been controlled. Similarly, illegal sand mining continues unchecked. Corruption, bribery, and unlawful activities persist despite the hope we placed in this Government to curb them. Why cannot the Police Department control these situations? The Government is proceeding in an inefficient manner, citing shortages whenever asked.

¶ 09 Even schoolchildren are facing hardships everywhere in our district. Despite resource constraints, Batticaloa District achieved excellent results in the recent G.C.E. (A/L) examination.

¶ 10 Hon. Presiding Member, please give me one more minute. Our district endured many years of war. Even after the war, past governments created many difficulties, and reconstruction remains incomplete. Those hardships continue today. What special programme exists for the affected communities? I congratulate the students who produced excellent results despite continuous resource shortages, and the teachers who encouraged them. In the future, the Government must create conditions for all communities in this country to live equally; otherwise, the nation may again face past tragedies repeatedly. I ask the Government to act with great care and fairness. Thank you.