The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir

¶ 01 Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. Hon. Presiding Member, thank you for the opportunity to speak in the Committee Stage Debate on the Appropriation for the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government.

¶ 02 This time, Rs. 80 million has been sent to the Ampara Kachcheri; on that basis, each Divisional Secretariat receives Rs. 3.2 million to serve the people. But with current prices, what development can be done with Rs. 3.2 million — even a 200-metre drain may not be possible — yet this Budget is called the best.

¶ 03 Many voted for you expecting salary increases. You harshly criticized past governments, promising change. Many, including educated segments and postal voters, supported you, followed by the masses. You claimed that price hikes were due to commissions taken by Ministers and administrators, and that if you came to power, you would reduce prices and stop such practices. But even after coming to power, nothing seems to have been done.

¶ 04 Yesterday, I went to Nintavur Pradeshiya Sabha to obtain a building permit application. I was given a receipt dated 28th February, though yesterday was 3rd March. I later learned that accounts had not been closed by month-end. We welcome good initiatives of this Government. But those in office must be exemplary. On 28th February, a political meeting for elections was held in the Nintavur PS auditorium, and payment was not made. There was heavy criticism on Facebook. Yesterday, a party activist, Brother Sadam, went to pay. That is why the office did not close accounts — waiting till Monday to settle that payment. Hence my receipt carried 28th February. I paid Rs. 500 and obtained it.

¶ 05 If you behave like this even before you gain power through the upcoming Local Government elections, how will you build clean governance in Sri Lanka? Please answer. Your MPs and party members attended that meeting. How can you use the hall without payment? You should have paid and obtained the receipt first. You must be exemplary.

¶ 06 Next, the Government must urgently plan to hold Provincial Council elections. We look to Provincial Councils to resolve various local issues. The Government has been gradually taking Provincial powers — over hospitals, schools, even the power to appoint school principals. The 13th Amendment should benefit minorities. In this context of usurpation, please immediately set a plan to hold Provincial Council elections.

¶ 07 There should be CCTV recordings of that Nintavur incident. With those, you can establish the truth.

¶ 08 Since our childhood, we have seen politics over Kalmunai North/South, Tamil and Muslim divisions. This Government is seen as one that can unite the country. Many here replaced previously disliked representatives. Our mindset is different. We sincerely wish that all leaders and Members unite to resolve the Kalmunai issue. Dividing boundaries will not solve people’s problems. Muslims and Tamils in Kalmunai have a long shared history. Do not divide them for politics. Instead of splitting Kalmunai without land-based rationale, let religious leaders, community leaders, and MPs sit together and find a solution. I humbly request this.

¶ 09 Hon. Presiding Member, time is over.

¶ 10 Please grant me one more minute. Regarding the ‘Urumaya’ program to grant title deeds to poor people through Divisional Secretariats, what is its current status? Will this Government continue it and resolve land issues? Also, local-level funds are inadequate; please allocate more. We hear the Indian Government will provide more funds to the Eastern Province; even the Hon. President mentioned it. Please also provide more funds to the regions. We will always support the Government’s good actions. Set an example through your conduct. The whole country is watching. We expect your answers here. Regarding the forthcoming Local Authority elections, we will reap the harvest accordingly. Thank you again for the opportunity.