The Hon. M.L.A.M. Hizbullah

¶ 01 Okay.

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, I am pleased to participate in today’s debate related to the Ministry of Transport. Especially, recently the transport sector was badly affected by floods and the “Ditwah” cyclone. Under the leadership of Hon. Minister Bimal Rathnayake, steps were taken through the Ministry to restore transport services, including train and bus services. He acted as swiftly as possible, and we appreciate him for that.

¶ 03 Hon. Minister, the Oluvil Harbour, constructed at a cost of billions of rupees, remains continuously closed and unused. Though a Gazette was issued to convert it into a fisheries harbour and hand it over for the needs of fishermen, it is still not being used. Our Hon. MP M.S. Abdul Wasith is here; this concerns his constituency. Thousands of coastal fishermen from areas such as Kalmunai, Sainthamaruthu, Nintavur, Oluvil and Pottuvil have to go as far as Valachchenai, 100-160 miles away, to tie up their boats and fish. Therefore, I request that the Minister in charge of Fisheries and the Minister in charge of Ports discuss and take steps to operationalize this fisheries harbour as soon as possible. If assistance is needed, we are ready to support the Government by raising funds from financial institutions to rehabilitate it. If the Government cannot manage it, several private companies are ready to take over responsibility and operate it. Please take action on this, on behalf of the people.

¶ 04 Today the garment industry is in a very bad situation. Immediate action is needed. Due to a sudden decision by US President Donald Trump, the tariff on India has been reduced to 18 percent, creating a major risk to our garment industry. This is not only a Government issue; it affects the whole nation. The Government must urgently engage on this. Either negotiate with the US President to reduce our tariff to 18 percent or lower, or secure GSP tariff concessions. I request you to take steps in this regard.

¶ 05 Hon. Presiding Member, Provincial Council elections are still not held. For years, although every Government says they will be held continuously, they have not been conducted. This is a fundamental human rights violation. The people of a Province must be able to elect their representatives and solve their provincial issues through them. Under the Thirteenth Amendment, extensive powers have been devolved to Provincial Councils. Running provinces through Governors or Provincial Secretaries without allowing the people to have their elected representatives administer is against democracy. Therefore, the Government must immediately make arrangements to conduct Provincial Council elections. The Hon. Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government is here — a Minister who listens patiently and supports with dedication. Arrangements must be made to hold the elections and hand over the right and authority to govern the provinces to the representatives elected by the provincial people. Please take steps.

¶ 06 I will wind up in a minute, Sir. Due to the recent “Ditwah” cyclone, many areas and roads in the Batticaloa District have been damaged. Hon. Minister Bimal Rathnayake for Transport, Highways and Urban Development is here. I have also met him personally about this. Hon. Bimal Rathnayake, I met you and asked that some of these roads be repaired. The cyclone caused extensive damage to roads in Batticaloa District. I request your attention to this as well.

¶ 07 Thank you.