The Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, my time is limited. These Ministries—Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation; and Urban Development, Construction and Housing—are pivotal for the country’s future. Housing and highways are fundamental public infrastructure. Due to bankruptcy, expressway construction stalled and faced many obstacles, including issues like the vine-covered karanda tree matter on the Kadawatha–Mirigama section, which delayed works and cost us dearly. People in the North Western Province—those going to Kurunegala and Anuradhapura—suffered major delays after the scheduled completion time passed. We are pleased that construction has now resumed. Please inform when the Kadawatha–Mirigama section will be completed, as it is vital.

¶ 02 On housing history, we cannot forget President Ranasinghe Premadasa’s contribution. As Housing Minister under President J.R. Jayewardene’s Government from 1977, he transformed temporary thatched dwellings into permanent-roof houses, launching the One Hundred Thousand Housing Programme and the Gam Udawa, uplifting villages and people. Notably, in 1987, the UN General Assembly declared the International Year of Shelter for the Homeless, and the first global housing charter was proclaimed—recognition our former Housing Minister and later Prime Minister deserves. Also, the first Monday of October each year is World Habitat Day—another initiative associated with him. We should acknowledge such achievements, just as we should note good initiatives now.

¶ 03 In my electorate, the Pothuhera–Galagedara road runs through its heart. About 12 km are underway; please expedite the remaining stretch to Galagedara. Under the Yahapalana Government, compensation was paid and land acquired—those preliminaries are done.

¶ 04 Another critical route is the Kurunegala–Dambulla road; progress has regressed. This is a key artery to the North and the Uva region. From Dambulla outwards congestion is heavy, though beyond Dambulla it is lighter. Land acquisition and significant expenditure have already occurred, but neither last year nor this year have I seen concrete plans in the estimates or ministry statements to proceed. Please prioritize this important corridor.

¶ 05 There is also a court order to reinstate a group of National Housing Development Authority employees. The NHDA has not yet reinstated them despite the Labour Tribunal order. This is regrettable; I place the relevant portion of the order on the record and urge compliance.

¶ 06 Further, regarding the Expressway advertising structures on both sides: the operating company has notified us of changes being considered. Please pay attention, because many businesses and jobs depend on the outdoor advertising sector, and landowners also receive significant rental income—for example, an owner at the Kurunegala junction earns about Rs. 500,000 per month just for the site. Please consider the implications; I table related correspondence.

¶ 07 On the media, currently some editors are being harassed. Our Government Chief Organizer, as Media Minister, made statements about certain reports. While not every report is fully correct, the Leader of the Opposition cited many instances; similar issues exist in our areas too. In several places, OICs demand recommendations from committee chairpersons in addition to the Grama Niladhari’s certificate for various matters. When newspapers report this and editors are harassed, it is wrong. When you were in Opposition, you relied on media support. Yesterday I saw that the Aruna editor was summoned to the CID; many editors have objected. Allow the media to report; if something is incorrect, the Minister can set the record straight, as has always been the practice.

¶ 08 Thank you.