The Hon. K. Kader Masthan

¶ 01 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, I thank you for the opportunity to speak in today’s debate relating to two key ministries.

¶ 03 With respect to the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation, under Minister Bimal Rathnayake, significant funds have been allocated for many projects in the Northern Province, particularly in our districts. However, although thousands of millions of rupees were allocated, due to time constraints this year many of those projects such as roads and bridges have only reached the initial stages and implementation has not been completed. Even so, I thank the Hon. Minister.

¶ 04 Turning to urban development: in our areas, projects such as free electricity connections and water connections, together with housing, have continued as in the past. I also thank the Minister for arranging housing projects to proceed.

¶ 05 Specifically, housing assistance is Rs. 1,000,000 as before. Some say that with the participation of certain village-level organizations, within that amount a house can be built. But in our areas such supporting arrangements are not available. In the future, under the 1,000,000-rupee housing scheme, please create conditions so that houses can truly be built within that amount.

¶ 06 You know our area was severely affected by the war. Resettlement also falls within urban development. In the past, resettlement was not properly planned or carried out. Therefore, I propose appointing a team to obtain accurate data and then proceed with a proper resettlement program. You may feel a separate ministry is not needed now for resettlement. However, resettlement is still incomplete. Some displaced communities still live in Puttalam. Proper plans to resettle them have not been implemented. The program to resettle long-displaced people was begun by the resettlement division of the former ministry. Alongside it, many school buildings and cultural halls were started, but have been left half done.

¶ 07 A related point: according to the answer I received under 27(2) from the Hon. Minister, vehicle emission testing generates around Rs. 4.84 billion in annual revenue. Yet nearly Rs. 3.64 billion appears to go to the private sector. Where there is capacity to do this in government and earn revenue, why is such a large amount not collected as state income? If the excess is channeled to the Central Environmental Authority, they could plant trees along roadsides and in other needed areas and protect the environment. I request the Hon. Minister to consider this.

¶ 08 Regarding expressways, the urgent arrangements to proceed with the Kadawatha–Meerigama Expressway are appropriate. Similarly, we raised multiple times—in district coordination committee meetings too—the need to open the road via Puttalam–Eluvankulam to Mannar. It was stopped due to a court injunction. Therefore, we thought of establishing a coastal road from Puttalam to Mannar as an alternative. I ask the Minister to consider arrangements for that as well. If that road is built, it will enable major development in those areas. You know why the previous road was closed. We are not trying to sensationalize; however, there is a pressing transport need. The halt in development of that road was due to certain orchestrated efforts, known to the Minister. Please make urgent arrangements to proceed and complete the previously started works instead of abandoning them.

¶ 09 On the 18th of March 2024, the European Commission reported significant discrepancies between actual emissions of vehicles and the values recorded on vehicle inspection certificates, including for CO2. We hear that certificates are sometimes issued without vehicles being tested. Such practices cause serious health and environmental harm. I previously questioned the Minister under 27(2). If the annual income through these tests is about Rs. 4.84 billion, please reform and regularize the system.

¶ 10 In 2024 we were told the Talaimannar–Rameswaram ferry service was about to start, tenders to be called, etc., but nothing happened. Even through this Budget, nothing seems to be moving. This ferry service can be a powerful driver for development and economic uplift. There were several special meetings in Mannar about expediting this; we were told it was at the tender-calling stage. Please finalize it urgently.

¶ 11 Hon. Presiding Member, in Vavuniya’s Nedunkeni area, we laid the foundation for a bridge at Vilachchikulam. When work was about to begin, it was stopped due to the economic crisis. Likewise, the construction of bridges connecting Kalimadu and Kakkayankulam villages has been abandoned. The rock-fill bridge for the fishermen of Erukkalampitty was contracted and funds released; construction was to start, but the election intervened and there has been no progress.

¶ 12 These three bridges are essential. You have proceeded with necessary works from the previous government’s programs; on that basis, please take up and complete these too.

¶ 13 In SLTB bus services across Mannar, Vavuniya, and Mullaitivu, only about 60% of scheduled runs operate. Many buses are off the road due to engine failure and lack of spare parts. As a result, from students to government officials and the general public, all face serious transport issues. Officials regularly travel between Jaffna and Mannar or Vavuniya; please ensure adequate buses for them as well. Also, identify needs and expeditiously appoint required drivers and conductors. You have already called for applications; I request you to expedite appointments.

¶ 14 In Mannar, the 12-acre plot for the bus depot is yet to be properly demarcated and fenced. Other depots have poor internal roads and old buildings. You have seen these conditions; please initiate programs to rectify them.

¶ 15 Mannar Island areas become flooded even with small rains. The current rains show this again. Students’ education and local livelihoods are seriously affected. Please design proper drainage to protect Mannar’s people from floods and implement it.

¶ 16 Regarding the 1,000,000-rupee housing projects: even if the previous government failed to complete them quickly, please at least release funds, even in tranches, to complete houses already started. Those were begun when the cost was Rs. 500,000; now it is insufficient. For those who have not yet completed, please increase assistance to Rs. 1,000,000.