The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, I think we can view this Budget in three ways. People expected this Budget to have a historic place. From that perspective, you, who call yourselves a leftist organization — the JVP — have presented this Budget under the banner of the National People's Power. This has happened after nearly 77 years. Previously, even when leftist leaders such as the Hon. (Dr.) N. M. Perera and the Hon. Colvin R. de Silva tried, they could not achieve this. You have done it. In your Marxist-Leninist-Maoist thinking, people expect this Budget to be constructed in an egalitarian way that transcends ethnicity, religion, and language.

¶ 02 Looking at the Budget as a whole, there are progressive elements: people-oriented concessions, increased allocations for education and health, wage increases for plantation workers, and the aim to build a society free of intoxicants. You have also spoken of the Clean Sri Lanka programme. Similarly, expansion of welfare schemes such as Aswesuma, and national development plans — these are matters the public desire. We do not reject them.

¶ 03 At the next level, we must see what has happened with regard to the North and East. In the North, a once-renowned seat of learning in South Asia — the Jaffna Library — was burnt by a former Minister for election purposes. At that time, J. R. Jayewardene’s favourites were Gamini Dissanayake, Athulathmudali, and Ranil Wickremesinghe. This is considered the sleight of hand of one among them. You have allocated Rs. 1,000 million for the improvement of that library. We welcome it. Likewise, we welcome the allocation of about Rs. 1,000 million for the Vattuvagal Bridge in Mullaitivu, which was affected by war. You have allocated money for reconstruction there. We consider all these as good.

¶ 04 However, as a Member of Parliament representing Batticaloa, when we look at what has been specifically provided for the Eastern Province, we find nothing earmarked even as a small portion for us. It appears as if the development of the Eastern Province is to be looked after by the neighbouring country, and we are told to just bring the plates to the feast. You know that both North and East suffered for nearly 30 years of war.

¶ 05 Recently, floods caused heavy losses, including loss of life, in districts such as Batticaloa, Trincomalee, and Digamadulla. Through this Budget, allocations should reach these districts for development while maintaining equity. Surprisingly, in Batticaloa District, the two regions known as Paduvankarai and Eravur Pattu (Ezhuvaankarai) are split by lagoon and tanks. In the past, these were divided into High Security and non-High Security areas. After the war, we made many attempts to connect these two land masses. Even during good governance we raised this. If five bridges had been built then, transport could have been regularized, and economic development followed. Initial works, including borehole testing to identify bedrock, were done for two bridges and money spent, but bridges were not built; projects stalled after studies.

¶ 06 We warmly welcome the Vattuvagal Bridge in the North. But similar attention must reach the badly affected areas of Batticaloa, Trincomalee, and Digamadulla. Batticaloa has six MPs, including Kanthasamy Prabu who achieved a noteworthy victory. However, given the suggestion that a neighbouring country will handle Eastern development, he too will be questioned by people, as will we.

¶ 07 We therefore say: development focus must necessarily come to the Eastern Province. Flooding repeatedly affects about 30 villages because a small bridge was built across a bunded tank constructed in the 1970s; when water backs up, roads and villages submerge. Borehole testing was done there too; no bridge. Similarly, tests were done for a bridge linking Naripul Estate and Pankudaveli; no bridge. No testing and no bridge at Thikilivattai–Sandiveli. No bridge connecting Kinnaadi–Murukandy. No bridge connecting Mandur–Kurumanveli. No bridge connecting Kanchirankuda–Munai Kadu. Since Independence, no change in these. In the past, rightists governed with ethnic, religious, and linguistic biases. You are leftists — expected to see all people equally. On that basis, please take this up.

¶ 08 People have long said green and blue parties ruled with partiality, disturbing our peace. We expect at least under this red government to bring sound plans and programmes, without racism or sectarianism. For us, Eastern development is vital. Especially, connecting Paduvankarai and Ezhuvaankarai is essential. Since the colonizer left, they remain in pieces. Part of that land, called non-High Security, saw no development footprint, while some happened elsewhere in the East, though insufficient.

¶ 09 Sixteen years have passed since the war ended. People of Paduvankarai ask for land connectivity. They travel long detours for short distances; students, officials, and patients suffer — even deaths occur while transporting through Ambivaan (ambulance). Hence, the Kiraan Bridge is crucial. When floods occur, Paduvankarai and Ezhuvaankarai need relief via proper links. I place this people’s request before you. If you accomplish even one of these first, people will build confidence in you; they will think, despite past wrongs, those now in office care about them. I believe our district MP from your side, Hon. Kanthasamy Prabu, will accept this. All six of us think together on development. He too will surely highlight this. He is not at odds on development; he journeys with us. I expect his voice to echo here.

¶ 10 Beyond that, I wish to speak of true reconciliation — not mere words. Two measures are essential: release of lands and provision of housing. For North and South to clasp hands in fraternity, truths concealed during the war must be brought out and justice given to the affected who yearn for remedial justice, and a stable solution found so atrocities do not recur. Since you are egalitarians, with lofty policies, we earnestly ask you to do these.

¶ 11 Next, our brothers in the plantation community of the hills still live in “line rooms”, while those playing with their labour live in luxury. They live between fear and exploitation; for 200 years this persists. Emancipation must come. You have thought about this working class. When they change from being exploited to becoming equal citizens, the curse pinned upon our country will fade. They toil to the utmost and are exploited to the utmost. We welcome raising the basic wage to Rs. 1,700; but we desire real change — emancipation — in their lives, and expect you will deliver it.

¶ 12 Another matter: “reducing perks for MPs.” Within this lies “security.” The Easter Sunday attacks were said to be a device to change power. Therefore, security for MPs is very important. Sometimes, someone might attempt to create problems or to sacrifice us. Even during protests and road blockades, we need security while passing by. We wish to travel freely — even by bicycle, motorbike, or on foot — but security must be ensured for MPs. Former MPs have it; new MPs lacking security is inequitable. Please consider this too.

¶ 13 We appreciate your progressive measures and have pointed out shortcomings. Please take necessary action. Thank you.