The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, the Member who spoke before mentioned me by name; hence I sought a point of order but was not allowed to respond then.

¶ 02 He spoke about those who burned libraries; when those who tried to burn the country are seated in front, what is the point of that? Anyone can be prompted to say such things. Let us be clear. You all boast that you increased plantation workers’ wages. Yes, you increased wages, but you also increased their burden. Go and check—many estates now require 23–26 kg to be plucked where 20–22 kg sufficed previously. The Labour Minister should inquire and correct this. Do not just raise wages while quietly raising targets.

¶ 03 I also speak because the Saumyamoorthi Thondaman Memorial Foundation was discussed this morning. It was established in 2005 under your then Government in which your President served as a Minister. Do not forget that. How can family members be excluded from such foundations? We have many memorial foundations in Sri Lanka: the Bandaranaike Foundation (headed by former President Chandrika), the Gamini Dissanayake Foundation (headed by former Minister Navin Dissanayake), the Thondaman Foundation (headed by his grandson Hon. Arumugan’s heir, Hon. Ilankovan), the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute, and so on. People did not elect you to slander memorials or rename them; they elected you to help storm-affected people and those who trusted you.

¶ 04 You say naming a foundation after Saumyamoorthi Thondaman is a “curse.” On what courage? It is because he secured citizenship that you can speak freely in this House today. Do not forget that, especially those claiming to represent the Malaiyagam.

¶ 05 After the recent cyclone, the hill country suffered the most. You promised Rs. 5 million for the landless and homeless—90 percent in the hills lack both land and houses. Where was it given? You later said Rs. 500,000; then Rs. 25,000. Civil organizations requested relocation support; you did not provide it. The hill country today lacks genuine representation; with such representatives, the people will get nothing.

¶ 06 Please also correct the record: this morning, the Hon. Deputy Minister incorrectly referred to our martyr as “Mulleri Govindan.” His name is Mulloya Govindan. Kindly ensure the Hansard reflects “Mulloya Govindan.”

¶ 07 Finally, through the Labour Ministry and plantation companies, issue a Gazette: while the daily wage is Rs. 1,750, the basic is only Rs. 1,550, and simultaneously plucking targets have been raised. Do not permit this. Correct your course. Thank you.