The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees.

¶ 02 On the 2024 Mid-Year Fiscal Position: if Sri Lanka is to improve its economy, the Prevention of Terrorism Act must be fully repealed. Only then will Sri Lankans abroad confidently bring investments. Investors who dared in the past have faced cases under the PTA; allowing investments and later obstructing and arresting people under the PTA discourages diaspora and investors from setting up factories or industries here.

¶ 03 I also raise regional matters. At the recent Mannar District Development Committee meeting, we resolved that a Vavuniya University campus be started in Mannar. All discussions are advanced; I request Budget allocations in the upcoming Budget. The Committee Chair has supported it and I trust he will pursue it.

¶ 04 The President and the new Government promised to release public lands occupied by the military. We decided to take immediate steps to release them. In Mannar—Mullikulam, Pier, Sannar—and in Mullaitivu, Vavuniya and Vanni, many civilian lands remain under military control. These must be released for public use. In the Eastern Province, in Valaichenai, lands have been given to people for agriculture; I commend the Government. Similar releases are needed across the North and East.

¶ 05 The Forest Department and Department of Archaeology are also appropriating people’s lands, causing severe hardship. People have aired these grievances in development committees for nearly eight years. The last Government promised to release lands under these three agencies, but the promise remains idle. Details are with District Secretariats; those lands should be released to improve agriculture and the economy.

¶ 06 Fisheries have been hit by natural disasters, and Indian trawler incursions worsen matters. This requires a bilateral solution.

¶ 07 Sri Lanka has resources to generate income. If we create the right environment for resource-based development, we need not beg from others.

¶ 08 Another important issue: where a wife is a public servant and the husband is a farmer or fisherman, such families are often excluded from disaster or livelihood relief and housing schemes. This unfair exclusion should be rectified.

¶ 09 Hon. Member, your time is up.

¶ 10 One minute, please. Our Development Committee Chair has assured that this will be taken up.

¶ 11 Finally, to the Foreign Minister: many of our relations in Indian camps wish to return. When they fly, they cannot bring long-used belongings; passport issues persist. With the proposed Kankesanthurai–Tuticorin ferry, the Ministry should facilitate immediate travel for those who wish to come. Many are eager. Please use this opportunity. Thank you.