The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam

¶ 01 I will conclude, Hon. Deputy Chairperson.

¶ 02 Transfers and promotions are being made now. Regarding the Administrative Officer (AO) of Batticaloa Teaching Hospital, I informed the Health Minister six weeks ago. At a meeting with Chair Arun Hemachandra and the Governor present, the RDHS said the AO had obtained appointment through an NPP/JVP union letter, and he had previously been sent on a punishment transfer after investigation. Two months have passed since we called for an inquiry; nothing done.

¶ 03 Illegal sand mining in Batticaloa—though the District Development Committee decided to stop it—continues even today. Sand smugglers are operating. There is also a serious issue regarding the PTA. Many now in Government, Ministers and MPs, joined me in a signature campaign across all 25 districts calling to repeal the PTA—not replace it. But now the Government plans a new law rather than repeal. The Minister responsible for law says there are no political prisoners. I ask him to read the definition of “political prisoner.” There are people languishing in prisons. The NPP Government should be more sensitive to this.

¶ 04 These are constructive criticisms; we want solutions, not fights. If such issues continue—district‑level or national—we too, though small in number, can launch actions. Please be responsive. Also, release the list of bar permits. They say the permits were issued lawfully, but it was also said that MPs in this House recommended them.