The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan

¶ 01 Hon. Chairman, a few matters on today’s subjects, and then on archaeology issues in Batticaloa.

¶ 02 On transport: In the Eastern Province, particularly Batticaloa, and more broadly the North and East, SLTB lacks sufficient drivers and conductors, preventing full services. I understand interviews have been held; many local youth have applied. Please appoint from those areas to fill the gaps. There is also a shortage of buses; please provide buses.

¶ 03 Highways: Roads are being built but deteriorate quickly, requiring rebuilds. Investigate whether fraud or poor standards are causing this, identify where the defects lie, and rectify so roads are built properly.

¶ 04 Bridges: I have often raised the bridge connecting Padavankarai and Ezhuvankarai. Initial works on the Naripulthottam bridge found bedrock, but the bridge was never built. Similarly, Mandur, Ambilanthurai, and Kinnaiahadi bridges are needed. While preliminary works have begun on Kiran and Pondichchenai bridges—we are thankful—please progress at least one bridge per Budget cycle.

¶ 05 Civil aviation: Regarding access to Batticaloa Valaiyaravu Airport—when I moved an Adjournment Motion previously, the Minister promised to open the closed access road and start necessary works. Those initial works are still incomplete. Please open the road and ease travel. Also, the airport expansion took land, and affected owners have not been compensated; alternative lands were promised and even discussed at your Ministry’s consultative committee. Please take steps to allocate the promised alternative lands.

¶ 06 Railways: The former night train from Colombo at 7.00 p.m. reached Batticaloa by 4.00–5.00 a.m., which suited passengers. Now it starts at 11.00 p.m. and arrives at 7.30–8.00 a.m., making it hard to reach Ampara, Kalmunai and offices on time. Please revert to a 7.00 p.m. departure. Previously, there were sleeping berths in First and Second Class; now, apparently only Third Class remains. Passengers are inconvenienced—please restore berths.

¶ 07 Archaeology in Batticaloa: Past experience shows ad hoc declarations cause tension. There are 12 local authorities operating; lands are under their oversight. When archaeology nameboards suddenly appear without informing local bodies, it creates friction. A particular monk notorious for incitement continues such actions, using foul language and fomenting ethnic tension. We, Members from Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Ampara and the North, have come here united. The President invited us recently to celebrate Sri Lankanness together in unity and to condemn what happened in Batticaloa. But if archaeology boards are installed without informing mayors, chairmen and elected members, confusion results, and some boards are reportedly torn down. We do not condone illegality; we want due process. In the past, we have seen dubious acts—like claims that Buddhist relics were planted elsewhere and “found” at Kurundurmalai. This is creating suspicion among our people.

¶ 08 When constituting the Archaeology Advisory Committee, we asked not to have only one religion represented. You have since included four Tamil-speaking members—good. But take the Committee to the sites, explain to the people through them, and be transparent. Now, over a hundred places in Vakarai and surrounding DS divisions—Koralaipattu North, South, Manmunai South West, West, Koraitheevu Pattu—have been declared with boards, causing confusion and leading to removal of some. Pursuing police and court action in this heated climate, while the President calls for unity, will only cause friction.

¶ 09 We were once charged over the Mayilathamadu-Mathavanai grazing land issue—33, including MPs and local members, faced cases for one and a half years and were later discharged. We want to safeguard rights and journey together in harmony. Please involve MPs and local authorities and proceed in a consensual, transparent way to avoid conflict. Archaeological sites can relate to Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic, Christian or common heritage.

¶ 10 Sir, give me one more minute. Our recent experience is that once “archaeology” is invoked, only Buddhist narratives are advanced—by, for example, Ambitiya Sumana Rathana Thera—who openly uses abusive language, incites, even assaults police and officials, as seen on social media. Such interference harms harmony. We raised this with the Hon. Minister of Buddhasasana at lunch; he assured positive consideration. A problem has arisen that could have been avoided with inclusive, coordinated action that respects local government authority. We earnestly request such an approach. Thank you.