Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan

¶ 01 I think I can speak now. Firstly, in this Budget for the financial year, there are indeed some welcome elements. In particular, the Government has allocated additional funds for the North; we must first thank them for that. However, the President, in his speech, stated that India would handle the development of the East. India has provided many forms of assistance to Sri Lanka and we trust India can help develop the East. But the President did not clearly specify what development India is to undertake. We value India’s support, yet I wish to stress that clarity is needed.

¶ 02 People in the East feel that after handing over the development of the East to India, the Government has not allocated its own development funds for the East. I see another angle here: it appears that the Batticaloa District did not vote in large numbers for this Government. Is that why the Government has reduced development funds for the East or handed it over to India? That question arises. While we trust India will undertake work, you must use the Budget to show clearly what development you have permitted India to do.

¶ 03 As for the North, war-affected people there—farmers and fisherfolk—are truly in a state of deprivation. For the development of our affected regions, His Excellency the President, who is also the Minister of Finance, and the Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake have allocated billions of rupees. Among these, the construction of the Vattuvaakal Bridge is very important. A historically significant event—termed ethnic cleansing by some—is associated with that bridge. During the final phase of the war, our people who were confined to Mullivaikkal, suffering terribly, traveled through that bridge. They lost fathers, mothers, children, and siblings, and could not even bury the dead. They fled and still carry that pain in their hearts. As such, we truly welcome the President’s attention to the rehabilitation of the Vattuvaakal Bridge, which tells the story of our people’s history. Under good governance or under previous governments, we MPs brought up this bridge multiple times, but it was not heeded. In that context, I commend this Government for taking the initiative to build the bridge.

¶ 04 However, when I look at today’s press reports, I fear that some consider “the North” to mean only Jaffna. Those traveling to the North—be they foreign diplomats, ministers, or even the President—appear to give prominence only to Jaffna and camp there. Yet, of the five districts in the North, almost no one visits the three Vanni districts—Vavuniya, Mannar, and Mullaitivu—except during elections. The President came during the election period; I do not know whether he will come again for the next election. My request is that this Government must consider the Vanni. Our people there are suffering in many ways.

¶ 05 Will the substantial funds allocated to the North this time also reach the Vanni? That is a pertinent question. The media focuses mostly on Jaffna. I am not saying do not do anything for Jaffna; rather, my request is that funds for the North be used across all areas of the North. It seems even the President’s allocations are made with Jaffna in mind. Development in Jaffna is sometimes portrayed as a boon given to Tamils. Our request is that the funds allocated to the North be distributed to all districts and areas.

¶ 06 Therefore, Hon. President, you should visit the regions not merely for local government elections but to see the conditions there firsthand. Our people lack basic facilities—roads, schools, and hospitals. In particular, service facilities in our three districts are far behind. Ministers must have a field view of these. The funds allocated to the North must be shared across all places and essential facilities provided urgently. The Governor has paid special attention to this. Therefore, the Governor, the Hon. Minister, and the officers, Government Agents, and Divisional Secretaries in the Vanni must act to ensure this money is properly distributed and implemented for local needs, rather than being returned unspent.

¶ 07 We thank the new Government for allocating funds for the Jaffna Library. Our Tamil community still bears the pain of the historic burning of that library many years ago—then one of Asia’s foremost libraries. Allocating money to develop it is one thing; identifying those who burned it is another. You must appoint a commission to find those responsible. The perpetrators still move freely. A commission must be established to investigate, prove guilt, and mete out punishment.

¶ 08 On education, Jaffna was once renowned for academic excellence. After the library was burned, educational standards have lagged, partly due to the decline in reading. Our histories are being erased by such acts. We appreciate the President’s allocation for the library and also request the appointment of an inquiry to identify and punish those responsible.

¶ 09 Regarding the salary increase for Government officers, what has been proposed is confusing, to be granted in stages over three years. Why not raise it immediately? With high cost of living, Government officers do not receive disaster compensation, housing, or other benefits because they are State employees. Attention must be paid to them and the increase provided upfront rather than staggered over three years.

¶ 10 Another point: persons with disabilities are found across Sri Lanka. Your Government has appointed a person with a disability as an MP. Yet this Budget says nothing for them. They face many hardships. Please address this.

¶ 11 Next, former combatants affected by the war—regardless of the movement they belonged to—must be supported with livelihood programs funded in the Budget. The current ruling party itself was once a protest movement, having lost many, including its leader. In that sense, the Government must consider former combatants.

¶ 12 This Budget is, in my view, a boon for ordinary people. In our areas there are many villages without proper roads. When it rains, schoolchildren cannot even reach school. These roads must be upgraded as a first priority. Once roads are rehabilitated, our farmers can take their produce to market themselves for better prices and incomes.

¶ 13 Another suggestion: in the North and East, additional military personnel cultivate people’s seized lands, run plantations, and even keep people’s cattle for milk. The President has spoken of releasing civilian lands held by the military. When these lands are released, our farmers and livestock producers—who have the drive—will increase incomes and help rebuild the country. The fisheries sector also needs additional allocations. Fishermen in the North—especially in the Northern Province—face many hardships at sea and receive no relief. More funds should be allocated to assist them. With thanks for the opportunity, I conclude. Vanakkam.