The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir

¶ 01 Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim.

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, the people voted for this Government with great expectations of change—expecting not only solutions to regional issues but also the nation’s revival and a better future. Yet senior members and Ministers of the ruling party have recently made troubling public statements: that they will be in power till 2040 regardless of what others say; that though they took “government power,” they still have to take “state power” and will do so; that whatever the Opposition says, they will lay down the law and implement it. Are we here to face such attitudes?

¶ 03 While education reforms are being introduced, schools in many areas still lack basic facilities. In rural regions, problems are greater than in urban areas. We are here to seek solutions for those. In the past, Ministers from various parties did not address these needs; they pursued contracts and commissions and strengthened their families. We are not like that. We did not come here after telling lies that all past Governments for 76 years ruined the country.

¶ 04 Even today, schools depend on parents to fund furniture and resources, with grand handover ceremonies. Your party leaders, especially those of the NPP, condemned this as shameful, promising change after 76 years of such practice. Yet now we see the same: collecting money from parents and holding ceremonies. You speak of smart boards; many of our students do not even know what that is. You must lead by example.

¶ 05 Due to climate change, mornings are very cold; some students cannot attend school. Even after 8.00 a.m., it remains cold, and forecasters say this may last a year. Please consider adjusting arrangements accordingly.

¶ 06 On the severe coastal erosion in the Eastern Province, both Government and Opposition Members from the area have raised it here. When we speak about the port and related matters, nothing happens. Due to erosion in Maligakadu, bodies buried at the Mylavattivu cemetery have been exposed and removed. We informed officials, including the Divisional Secretary and engineers; they promised urgent works and have started some, but progress is slow. Similarly, in the Nintavur-Attappallam area, bodies have been exposed. When I chaired the Nintavur Pradeshiya Sabha in 2022–2023, we took preventive action, which has now been completed; I thank the previous Government for that. Kalmunai, Maruthamunai, Karaitivu, Sainthamaruthu, Maligakadu, and the northern side of Oluvil are affected. Please initiate an accelerated mitigation programme.

¶ 07 I also wish to tell the Minister of Cultural Affairs, who spoke earlier and is present, that in the past, Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic and Christian Religious Affairs were separate ministries and functioned well. Today, politicians are interfering in religious matters, especially in mosque administration, using departmental authority to create confusion. As with Education and other sectors, please bring changes here too: intervene to empower the department to appoint permanent administrators to mosques, remove unsuitable persons, and appoint appropriate administrators. Thank you.