The Hon. Kanthasamy Prabu

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Presiding Member. We are discussing the Audit Amendment and two Supplementary Estimates, including that of the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs.

¶ 02 Due to the economic collapse, women and children were severely affected; child abuse and domestic violence rose; nutrition packs for pregnant mothers were halted. Many women left their young children with relatives and went as domestic workers to the Middle East, often facing severe abuse and seeking refuge at embassies and shelters. Children left behind faced increased abuse.

¶ 03 Having received a people’s mandate to govern, we initiated relief programmes — including distributing nutrition packs to pregnant mothers via Sathosa from the last Sinhala-Tamil New Year. The Opposition claimed it was an electoral handout, and it was stopped. Nevertheless, we will expand the nutrition programme for pregnant mothers and improve child care this year through additional allocations via the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs.

¶ 04 We are securing next year’s Budget allocations for livelihood development for women and children, nutrition promotion, and reducing domestic violence, and implementing through relevant Ministries and Departments. We have begun special clinics for pregnant mothers and child care, and are improving facilities. We have also initiated intercity state bus services to address transport needs of pregnant women and schoolchildren, and will expand public transport further.

¶ 05 For orphans in care homes, we will ensure education and health facilities, and provide vocational training through state centres as they exit care, building their future. With rising drug addiction among children and associated crimes, and increased child labour, we will channel such children into vocational pathways to build a trained workforce for domestic industry.

¶ 06 Because of family poverty, mothers going abroad as domestic workers before their children reach proper age, and parental drug abuse, school dropouts are rising. We will propose inter-ministerial programmes and seek funding in the 2026 Budget to reduce this.

¶ 07 On the Supplementary Estimate for Urban Development, Construction and Housing: the Urban Regeneration Programme will be implemented, and under “Water for All,” we are allocating more funds to meet drinking water needs — especially in districts like Anuradhapura.

¶ 08 Yesterday, the Former Presidents’ Entitlements (Repeal) Bill passed with a majority. Some Opposition Members from NPP supported it; however, ITAK Members were absent, raising doubts among people whether they were protecting former Presidents. Even the popular YouTuber-turned-MP, Hon. Archuna from Jaffna, voted for it, perhaps reflecting his relationship with the Leader of the Opposition. Having sought assurances about any impact on the Opposition Leader’s mother, he then supported it. Thank you.