The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam

¶ 01 Madam Deputy Chairperson, thank you for the time on Head 102, Programme 1. My original nine minutes have been reduced to six; I request that the time allocated to Hon. Gnanamuthu Sreenesan be also given to me.

¶ 02 His Excellency the President was present today and outlined economic measures, including a Rs. 3,000 increase to pensions. There is, however, a long-standing issue regarding pensions of teachers who retired between 01.01.2016 and 31.12.2019. Under Public Administration Circular 3/2016, Section 5(2), from 01.01.2020 their pensions were to be adjusted to the new salary structure. This was confirmed by the Cabinet decision of 11.11.2019 and Circular 35/2019. Yet on 02.01.2020, the then Cabinet suspended this implementation. Consequently, those retired between 2016 and 2019 did not receive the revised pension, losing Rs. 8,000–28,000 monthly. While the current Rs. 3,000 increase is welcome, the arrears due under the earlier circular must also be paid. About 118,000 pensioners are affected; around 4,000 have passed away without receiving it. I urge attention to this matter.

¶ 03 Due to the war, in the North and East there are many persons with special needs and a high number of female-headed households who are economically very vulnerable. The forthcoming Budget lacks special programmes for them; I request that such targeted programmes be included.

¶ 04 There is also a severe problem at the Motor Traffic Department. Transferring vehicle ownership can take years; even after submitting documents and receiving the book, number plates are delayed for up to two years. Phone calls bounce between officials and a private company handling plates, with no resolution. Intermediaries demand bribes of Rs. 10,000–50,000 to see officials. A government elected to eliminate corruption must intervene; innocent citizens cannot obtain their documents and face police checks on the road without proper papers.

¶ 05 In Vanni District, agriculture is primary, and human–elephant conflict is acute. Eleven deaths occurred recently in one month. We need urgent funding for elephant fences. The Lower Malwathu Oya project notes that without action, human–elephant conflict will worsen, but little has been done to date. Also, fertilizer support must be paid on time; delays will harm yields. Please act promptly.