The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe

¶ 01 Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim.

¶ 02 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, I am pleased to participate in the debate on the Samurdhi (Amendment) Bill, Births and Deaths Registration (Amendment) Bill, regulations under the Sports Act, and rules under the Judicature Act.

¶ 03 Samurdhi Development Officers face many professional issues. I request the Minister to address them. About 18,000 officers were appointed in 1994–1997 and have served nearly 30 years at the village level in poverty alleviation, yet have received no promotions. Please grant promotions and fill existing vacancies nationwide.

¶ 04 In 2008, based on Cabinet approval submitted by the then Minister of Public Administration and Home Affairs, salaries of Grama Niladhari officers were restructured to the MN-2 scale, without written or interview exams. Similarly, Samurdhi Development Officers’ salaries should be restructured to MN-2 urgently.

¶ 05 For Tamil-speaking officers in the North and East, circulars and letters from the Department should be issued in Tamil. Expedite processing of pensions for retired and deceased officers and ensure timely payment of arrears. After the creation of the Divi Neguma Department, newly recruited Samurdhi officers should be absorbed into the initial service promptly. Many officers supported the ruling party in recent elections; please address their just demands to facilitate grassroots economic development.

¶ 06 On sports: in the Eastern Provincial Sports Department, senior district sports officers, district officers, coaches, and other posts remain long vacant, affecting competitions, data collection, talent identification, and training in Ampara, Batticaloa, and Trincomalee. Please fill these vacancies.

¶ 07 Ampara District has 20 DS divisions but only 13 sports officers, leaving seven divisions without officers, hampering development. Please appoint to these vacant posts.

¶ 08 Though Northern and Eastern athletes win medals nationally, our province still ranks around eighth nationally due to lack of equipment and training, including overseas training for officials. Please rectify this to raise our provincial standing.

¶ 09 Rugby is rapidly growing in coastal Ampara. Introduced around 2011 in Palamunai and surrounding areas, it now engages both school and club athletes with achievements: Minhaj National School became provincial champions in 2024; Palamunai Sports Club topped provincial competitions in 2023–2025 and has now advanced to national level. However, lack of a proper ground hinders growth; students train on gravel fields, leading to frequent injuries, and must travel to Kantale Leelarathna Ground in Trincomalee to practice. Please develop the Palamunai rugby ground with modern facilities.

¶ 10 Previously, one District Youth Services Officer (DYSO) was appointed to Sinhala-majority areas from Dehiattakandiya to Pothuvil; I request appointing another DYSO for Tamil-majority areas. In my hometown Sammanturai—with a population of about 82,000 and hosting key institutions including the South Eastern University’s Faculty of Applied Sciences, a Vocational Training Centre, and a Technical College—10 acres and funds were allocated for a sports ground at Alayadiwattai, but it remains unbuilt. Please prioritize funding next year to construct the Sammanturai Sports Ground.

¶ 11 Also, the Pottuvil–Pasarichenai public ground and pavilion require long-delayed rehabilitation. Tourists to Arugam Bay also use these facilities. Please renovate the ground and pavilion.

¶ 12 Regarding last week’s Hartal in the North and East, opinions differ on its success or failure. The ruling party should identify the reasons and act accordingly. I will speak further on another day. Wassalam!