The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth

¶ 01 Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim.

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, thank you for the opportunity to speak in today’s debate on Regulations under the Law.

¶ 03 Sports are being conducted, but at the district level the lack of proper grounds is creating many issues in developing good athletes. In my constituency of Pottuvil, there are only two small grounds: the Jelaludeen Square Ground and the Pasarichchenai Sports Ground. Athletes cannot obtain proper training.

¶ 04 Although a sportsman from our area, A.L.M. Ashraff, has won medals nationally and internationally, we are unable to consistently develop athletes due to the lack of facilities. Therefore, I request that a modern sports ground be established with proper facilities on state land either in Kalappu Kattu or Vattivelly within our Divisional Secretariat area.

¶ 05 Despite there being more than 18,000 Samurdhi Development Officers in the country, many vacancies related to those posts have remained unfilled for years. Moreover, officers who have served over 30 years have not been granted promotions, which is a serious concern. Their salary scale should be on MN 2, but though requested, it has not been implemented. Furthermore, circulars issued by the Samurdhi Development Department are sent only in Sinhala. This violates the official language policy of the country. Hence, I request that hereafter such circulars also be issued in Tamil. I also request urgent action to settle without delay the dues payable to the families of deceased and retired Samurdhi Development Officers.

¶ 06 Under the newly introduced “Aswesuma” programme, many ineligible persons are receiving benefits while many eligible persons are unable to obtain them. Therefore, I propose using a modern methodology to select beneficiaries so that poor mothers and families can receive benefits in a just manner.

¶ 07 Hon. Presiding Member, court infrastructure in our area is incomplete. If those works are finished urgently, court functions can be carried out properly. Similarly, there is also an acute staff shortage. While the country has announced 61,000 vacancies in the public service, these vacancies in our coastal districts should also be urgently filled.

¶ 08 Hon. Presiding Member.