The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, today we are debating two sets of Regulations under two Acts relating to two Ministries. I thank you for the opportunity to open the debate on behalf of the Opposition.

¶ 02 First, I tried this morning as well to raise an urgent matter when both Hon. Nalinda Jayatissa, Minister, and the Hon. Minister of Education and Higher Education were in the Chamber. A new practice seems to have developed here, though I am not sure it is a good one, Hon. Deputy Speaker. Historically, when an issue of urgent public importance arose, Speakers allowed Members to raise it then and there. If that had not happened in the past, Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake would not be President today.

¶ 03 I attempted to raise the following matter but was asked to take my seat. My question is this: The Neville Fernando Hospital had been allocated by the previous government to provide clinical training for final-year students of the Moratuwa University’s Faculty of Medicine. It is reported that hospital placements for those students have now been stopped. If so, final-year students will be unable to complete their clinical training, creating a serious problem for all medical faculties in the country regarding the award of degrees. This is more important than waiting months to ask under Standing Order 27(2). I doubt anyone present can answer right now, so I place this on record and draw the attention of the Hon. Minister of Education as well as Hon. Minister (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa to resolve this urgently, as it affects students who have struggled for 6–7 years. We expect a constructive response.

¶ 04 Turning to today’s subjects, I wish to focus on the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The Deputy Minister is present, though the Minister was not here earlier. Hon. Deputy Minister, I seek clarity about the current administration’s direction: are you continuing within the same old framework, or initiating real reform? Some four months ago, in a debate, the Minister said that despite all existing regulations, he would bring a fresh set of regulations for Sri Lanka Cricket within two weeks. Considerable time has passed and the people are still waiting. This habit—by some, not all—of making promises and then failing to deliver is clear. Since the Minister is not here, I will not dwell on it further, but we were promised concrete action within two weeks; nothing tangible has been seen.

¶ 05 I begin with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) because it is the sports body that handles the largest sums; the Treasury gives little to sport and the Ministry often relies on funds from SLC. We saw what happened to former Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe, who had to leave over disputes with SLC. Even now there are many unresolved issues. The Minister’s delays mean answers never arrive.

¶ 06 There is a serious public issue today. We love Sanath Jayasuriya; we also love Sugath Thilakaratne and Susanthika. But there must be proper procedure. Mr. Sanath Jayasuriya has been charged by the International Cricket Council. Can someone facing ICC charges ethically and legally serve as our national Head Coach? We ask the Minister to clarify whether there is a problem in law or ethics.

¶ 07 Further, former Minister Sunil Handunnetti selected Polhena to build a large cricket stadium. What is the status of that project? The Minister is now in the House, which is welcome.

¶ 08 Yesterday, at the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) chaired by Hon. Sunil Handunnetti at the time, SLC stated they had given over Rs. 400 million to the Sports Ministry. They sent five letters asking how the Ministry utilized that money; there was no response. If so, what is the relationship between the Ministry and sports bodies? If SLC can act as it wishes, why is the Ministry not coordinating with SLC to uplift sports nationwide—from village school cricket to all school sports? We expect the Minister to answer.

¶ 09 I have with me the COPE Report previously chaired by Hon. Sunil Handunnetti. In 2016, hundreds of millions were spent on a proposed Kandy Cricket University, with controversies including the issuance of cheques to monks. The 2018 COPE Report recorded 68 financial irregularities. What steps has the Ministry taken? Has construction even started?

¶ 10 I also make a proposal. Yesterday the President of the Athletics Association said athletics has brought great value to the country recently, but they lack facilities. Without proper nutrition, travel, and support, even talented athletes cannot succeed. It is regrettable that 25 years after our last Olympic medal, Susanthika Jayasinghe had to commemorate it alone in Sydney, with little public attention. If this is how we treat our icons, how can we nurture the next generation? We have athletes like Tharushi who could compete at the Olympics yet have struggled even to pay Rs. 20 for ground access. Minister Bimal Rathnayake, there are entrenched cliques within federations. Look at football: FIFA funds have stalled due to internal capture and commercialization by some.

¶ 11 Therefore, action must be taken across federations—not just a few—to end cronyism and put structures in place for the future.

¶ 12 One practical proposal: under your Ministry lies the Ambilipitiya Rural Leaders’ Training Centre. Its Director says the largest commercial land in Ambilipitiya—35 acres—belongs to that institute, yet it lacks facilities and large portions are encroached. No former Minister has acted properly. Please recover and utilize this 35-acre land for Ministry projects.

¶ 13 Thank you.