The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir

¶ 01 [3.59 p.m.]

¶ 02 Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. Hon. Presiding Member, today we debate the National Building Research Institute Bill. Establishing this Institute is essential. As mountain streams flow to the sea, they cause both hardships and benefits; yet frequent disasters cost the State vast funds for relief and protection. Therefore, establishing the Institute is a need of the times.

¶ 03 In the Eastern Province, Ampara faces a major risk from the Oluvil Harbour. When the harbour was planned, these aspects were not considered. Today fishermen suffer—about 10,000 families directly—and plantations, fields, lands, and other economic assets are damaged. The harbour does not even adequately serve a compensating purpose. It must be reorganized, and measures taken to protect eroding coasts and affected communities.

¶ 04 Today is also International Day of Sign Languages. I link a related issue: in the Eastern Province, 255 persons who completed HNDE were appointed as English teachers in 2024 under then-Governor Senthil Thondaman. Over 50 refused their postings; among them, 22 in Ampara Zone, 7 in Maha Oya Zone, 5 in Dehiattakandiya Zone. All are women and Muslim teachers who can teach English through Tamil medium; yet they were posted to distant Sinhala-majority areas. How are Sinhala-medium students to learn English via Tamil? There seems to have been a “mafia-like” process under the then administration: after placing teachers in linguistically unsuitable distant posts, transfers back to home areas were granted after 2–3 months in return for bribes of Rs. 200,000–300,000.

¶ 05 We request the current Eastern Provincial Governor and Secretary to grant temporary transfers—for six months to a year—so these women can serve in their home areas. Salaries are low; more importantly, the language barrier is severe. As women, staying in far-off places like Dehiattakandiya, Padiyathalawa, Ampara causes significant mental strain and hampers teaching. Though some steps have been taken, over forty teachers still struggle. Kindly grant the needed approvals. Thank you.