The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem.

¶ 02 Hon. Chairman, since Archaeology was raised, I too wish to comment, but I will take it up under the Votes of the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs. It concerns “Daftar Jailani” in Balangoda, a Muslim place of worship for centuries, which has been desecrated due to UDA intervention, with new structures erected while ignoring Muslim-occupied areas, now being hampered due to interventions by the chief monk and the Archaeology Department. Even the nameboards omit “Daftar Jailani” and its history, presenting a one-sided narrative. We will discuss it then, as UDA declared it a sacred area and imposed sanctions on devotees.

¶ 03 On the UDA’s ten-city program: The President mentioned Jaffna, Eheliyagoda, Batticaloa, Chilaw and Matara; I represent Kandy, the second largest city and the most sacred for Buddhists. Urban regeneration for underserved settlements like Mahaiyawa, Katukele and Deiyannewela must be prioritized. Our triple-gold medalist Fathima Shafiya Yamick hails from Katukele tenements—congratulations to her and her family, especially Mr. Yamik. Yet Kandy was overlooked in high-rise housing and environmental upgrades; these areas should be included.

¶ 04 Bogambara Prison has been vacant since 2000; inmates were moved to Pallekele. Despite plans and foreign investor talk, nothing substantial has happened. As an UDA responsibility, action is urgently needed. Tourists spend only one night in Kandy, partly due to limited attractions. Develop Bogambara now. Only Keppetipola Walawwa and a wax museum have been done; many heritage buildings over 200 years old remain. Japanese assistance for conservation was mentioned but nothing happened—please act.

¶ 05 On SLLDC: It is a crucial agency with over 400 engineers experienced in flood management. Today’s papers warn of floods; we recall Akurana’s recurrent inundation. When UDA was under me for about a year, we formed a Task Force, conducted scientific reviews and planned mitigation. SLLDC prepared a proposal titled “Proposed Hydrology Study and Stormwater Drainage Design of Flood Mitigation Proposals for Akurana Town,” costing Rs. 23 million for the feasibility/study. I requested funds from the previous and current governments, including at the District Coordinating Committee chaired by Minister Lal Kantha; still nothing. The Minister himself said today that SLLDC holds the expertise. Please allocate the Rs. 23 million so the study can determine lawful, effective remedies. UDA keeps citing unauthorized constructions; when I asked for action, they provided a list but never filed cases. Stop blaming; act. I hope, under the newly assigned agencies, you will resolve this.

¶ 06 In Kalmunai, the Kittange pump house area invariably floods. Under the Climate Resilience Improvement Project (CRIP), a deflatable balloon dam near Kallar Bridge was proposed—to retain water when sandbars form and release when levels rise. CRIP was abruptly wound up and nothing implemented; Kittange still cannot cope. Please revive it.

¶ 07 Similarly, the Sambukalappu and Periyakalappu drainage problems—from Kallar to Akkaraipattu to Sinna Mugathuvaram—need a comprehensive drainage study; SLLDC can lead it. Thousands of acres of productive paddy can be restored with Ampara flood control.

¶ 08 Water supply: My colleague Hon. Abthul Wazeeth raised Pottuvil’s needs. The Heda Oya Reservoir is essential for irrigation and water supply. Farmers in Siyambalanduwa have objected, stalling it, while other nearby projects were approved. Please engage with Irrigation and ERD to prioritize and fund Heda Oya.

¶ 09 Pottuvil Bus Stand serves many foreign tourists but lacks facilities; please reconstruct it properly, improve services, and consider exclusive long-distance buses on the Colombo–Pottuvil route to boost tourism.

¶ 10 Kandy—Mahakanda: I table a letter from the State Ministry of Urban Development, Waste Disposal and Community Sanitation requesting the University of Peradeniya to allocate 42 perches in Mahakanda town for a bus halt/stop and a fuel station-type facility. Mahakanda, between Peradeniya and Galaha, is a key stop in my area. Currently, only a small unused labour facility exists. Please consider this request.

¶ 11 Thank you.