The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth

¶ 01 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, as a Sri Lankan, I commend in this House the recent anti-narcotics drive initiated by the Hon. President, which has earned nationwide praise. In many Divisional Secretariats in Ampara — in particular, Akkaraipattu, Addalaichenai, Pottuvil and others — actions have been taken. In Akkaraipattu, a special awareness programme was conducted by “Rangeview Sri Lanka,” aimed at amending the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, No. 5 of 2006, to establish a special commission. The organization seeks to: 1) Prevent drug abuse through awareness focused on students, youth, parents, and communities; 2) Provide social and medical support for rehabilitation and reintegration; 3) Coordinate government agencies, social protection bodies, and NGOs to sustain prevention and recovery.

¶ 03 I record appreciation to Dr. S.M. Talha, Dr. M.J. Naufal, Attorney K. Sameem, F. Quthuz, M.C. Kaldeen, Mayor U.L. Uwais, Divisional Secretary D.M. Ansar, Attorneys Sadheer and Faisal Mohideen, Councillor Thavam, and all who contributed.

¶ 04 I urge amending Act No. 5 of 2006 to establish a special commission, so that we can financially disrupt drug networks and strengthen law, order, and social welfare. Alongside, if the Government also shuts down illicit liquor breweries that feed parallel incomes, the President’s initiative will yield full results.

¶ 05 On sports: Kabaddi began nationally in 1994. Through Youth Services Council tournaments, in 1997 and 1998, Nintavur Madheena Sports Club placed third at district level. From 2000, schools such as Al-Madeena National School and Al-Ashraq National School recorded many victories. In 2022, under-17 teams from both schools won. This year, when the national school tournament was held in Nintavur, Al-Madeena U-17 and Al-Ashraq U-20 were selected. In Youth Services Council tournaments, they have been consistently selected for three years and have been Ampara district champions for over 20 years, also securing second and third in inter-club events. They won championships in 2022 and 2023 Kabaddi Association tournaments.

¶ 06 Internationally, in 2016, M.T. Aslam Saja was selected for the Asian Youth Kabaddi Championships, helping Sri Lanka secure third. In 2018, A.M.M. Halis and S.M. Zabihan were selected for the national junior team for the World Cup. In 2021, A.M.M. Khalid was selected for the national team; in 2022, S.M.M. Zabihan again; in 2023 they were also selected for the Beach Handball team and performed well. Aslam Saja made the 2018 Asian Cup national team, joined the Navy Kabaddi team, and played Beach Handball in 2020–2023, serving as vice-captain in 2022 and captain in 2023. R.M. Nafees has also represented the national team. Aslam Saja was selected for India’s Pro Kabaddi League in 2023 and 2024, representing “Bengal Warriors,” and played in the British League in London. From Al-Madeena Sports Club, athletes such as Saini, Samri, Milhan, and Mahi represented Sri Lanka in the 3rd Asian Youth Kabaddi Championship, bringing honour to Nintavur, the district, and the country. In the services, Halis, Risni, Aflal Shareef, and Anshaf have represented the Navy, and Hamal, Mohamed, and Ismail the Army.

¶ 07 Given this talent base, I request a national-level Kabaddi ground for the Nintavur Divisional Secretariat Division, and I thank Principals Rabihoo (Al-Madeena) and Kaboor (Al-Ashraq) for guiding these teams.

¶ 08 On STF promotions: Despite three decades of war ending and peace restored with substantial STF contribution, there is injustice when promoting Police Inspectors to Chief Police Inspector. Though 62 STF officers have over 10 years of police service, only 10 were promoted, leaving 52 behind. While we welcome promotions granted on seniority during the 159th Police Day, similar structures have not been applied to STF. Of 16 CPI vacancies, only 10 have been filled, while across police services, of 323 total vacancies 153 were filled — yet many STF vacancies remain. I urge that all STF officers with 10 years’ service and the 10-year increment be promoted to Chief Police Inspector, and others appointed as appropriate, with merit and examination criteria applied thereafter to fill remaining vacancies. Please decide that as of 03.09.2025, STF PIs who have completed 10 years and the 10 annual increments be promoted to CPI.

¶ 09 On Public Management Service Officers: The Provincial Management Service Officers Association has about 3,000 members and seeks parity with other senior services. In many services, officers move from Grade III to II after 6 years and 6 increments; in Health, often after 5 years; some posts move to Grade I after 7 years and 7 increments. But Management Service Officers lack such pathways. Instead of waiting 20 years for promotion, please allow Grade II promotion after 12 years and 12 increments with no backlogs, effective from 02.04.2013. Also, implement the recommended salary scale 14/14-3, and reinstate the promotion process per Special Gazette 1971/14977-9 on examination frameworks. Grant graduate recruits a salary and scale commensurate with their degrees. I thank President Prasanna Thiyunuke of the association and Eastern Provincial Coordinator A.L. Kiyasdeen.

¶ 10 On pre-school teachers: absorb them into the teacher service with permanent appointments; the current Rs. 6,000 allowance is inadequate. For journalists, provide cameras and necessary equipment on concessional terms or loans.

¶ 11 On casual computer typists in Divisional Secretariats: regularize them based on qualifications, or absorb them into equivalent services. On human-elephant conflict: in Ampara, especially Pottuvil DS border villages — Komari, Kanagarkiramam, Hidayapuram, Chengamam, Athimunai, Al Huda, Kalappukattu, R.M. Nagar — construct elephant fences, including around all schools in these border areas. Thank you.