The Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen

¶ 01 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, thank you for the opportunity to speak on today’s debate on the Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill.

¶ 03 Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva touched on many matters related to this Bill. I wish to raise a few issues on behalf of the people of Mannar in the Vanni District which I represent.

¶ 04 For the last two to three days, people in Mannar have taken to the streets in protest — specifically against the wind power project in Mannar. The Citizens’ Committee led by Fr. Marcus, political leaders across party lines, and the public have been holding a democratic, day-and-night protest. The Government must understand why they are protesting. The people of Mannar — and we, as their representatives — are not against wind power or development projects. But when such projects are brought in, the Government has a moral responsibility to engage with the people and their representatives.

¶ 05 When protests arose about this project, we asked at the DCC meeting to meet the responsible Minister. The Hon. Minister visited Mannar during that period, but he met only the NPP or selected persons and left. This culture must change.

¶ 06 Hon. Minister, when you facilitate an investor and there is local opposition, and when we raise it at the DCC, you should come to Mannar and discuss with the stakeholders to reach a decision. This is your first term in Parliament; we have been here for about 25 years. In such issues, responsible Ministers used to visit the area, meet political leaders and representatives, and listen to concerns. You seem to ignore this and act confrontationally. Remember this: Whether you have 159 or 200 Members here, we will not allow anything to be done in Mannar Island through bullying. We will stand with the people. If you try to implement the project by sending Police or STF to intimidate people, let me say clearly, it will not work.

¶ 07 We hear you will meet Mannar’s district representatives tomorrow. Fine — we will meet. I want to be clear: we will support your good initiatives. But when implementing, please listen to the views of the local people and their representatives. We are not against good things.

¶ 08 Mannar Island is a beautiful island — the only internationally renowned island in this country. Wind power projects are already being implemented there. People can barely live there now; fishing has become difficult. Such investors bring no benefit even of five percent to local people. In the Mannar islands area, not even one local person gets a job, while hundreds of megawatts are produced. Locals get no benefit; their fisheries and tourism are affected. If a bridge is ever built between India and Sri Lanka, that region will one day become economically significant. Do not undertake works that jeopardize that future. Many foreign companies — Australian, Chinese, others — have come to extract mineral resources there. We have a responsibility to protect Mannar for our future generations. That is why I kindly request that this wind project be shifted away from Mannar Island to mainland areas with larger land extents.

¶ 09 Now, Israeli influence in our country is growing. The Hon. Muneer Moulavi, Deputy Minister in this Government, knows this. Not just Muslims, but all who seek justice worldwide are raising their voice against Israeli atrocities — the killing even of infants. Sri Lanka is turning into a place where those perpetrators and their military come to rest. You have granted them free visas. They are occupying lands in places like Arugam Bay, sleeping there, and more is being handed to them. Meanwhile, some Indian operators who came to drive harvesters were immediately deported because their tourist visas expired. Due to this, in Ampara, Batticaloa, Trincomalee and the Vanni, farmers suffer, unable to fully harvest.

¶ 10 You treat Indians in that way, but garland Israelis, inviting them without visas. They drive autos using their foreign driving licences, and also take over local livelihoods — running salons, shops, bars, hotels, and autos — turning this country into a mini-Israel. Please pay attention, or Sri Lankans will face what befell Palestinians — even losing their own land. With that warning, I conclude. Thank you.