The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC

¶ 01 Thank you.

¶ 02 Madam Presiding Member, before I address the Motion, allow me half a minute on a special matter. This morning, Members wore badges for the “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.” Around us were only female staff of Parliament. I wondered why. On gender-based violence, 35% of victims are men; violence affects us too, including through fake identities and online abuse. All of us have a responsibility to be aware of this. Thank you.

¶ 03 Regarding the Adjournment Motion by Hon. Kugathasan, it is of great importance to Tamil-speaking Tamils and Muslims in the North and East. In the past, to reduce the proportion of Tamil-speaking people in the East under a chauvinist agenda, three departments were used: the Department of Wildlife Conservation, the Coast Conservation Department, and the Department of Archaeology, to take over lands. We believe this government will not act thus, will not be a puppet of racist forces, and will act justly.

¶ 04 In Trincomalee District, besides the Wildlife Department’s actions in Verugal, there are many other issues—for example, in Valaimadu and Panichchankulam, paddy lands cultivated for decades were suddenly reclassified as highlands to be taken over; at the same time, grazing highlands needed for goats and cattle must be protected. I thank Deputy Minister Anton Jayakody for informing us about the committee appointed to resolve land issues in the North and East. We are very interested. Please inform us how we can submit our views and support, and keep us updated on the committee’s recommendations. We will fully support objective conservation goals, but people’s paddy and residential lands must not be taken under that pretext. If there is such a committee, allow Opposition Tamil-speaking MPs from the North and East to participate. I conclude with that request. Thank you.