The Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen

¶ 01 Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim.

¶ 02 Madam Deputy Chairperson of Committees, as Government Members support and the Opposition critiques the Budget presented by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake as Finance Minister, I wish to note a few positives and needs.

¶ 03 In Mannar, people depend on agriculture and fisheries. During my time as Minister under the Good Governance Government, we initiated the Malwathu Oya project from Anuradhapura with Rs. 500 million. The Gotabaya Government abandoned it, but this Government has allocated Rs. 5,000 million. We thank the Government on behalf of the people.

¶ 04 At Nintavur, construction of the Ashraff Cultural Centre stalled for long. Hon. M.A.M. Thowfeek and others pursued approvals through development committees chaired by Hon. Aboobacker Aadhampawa and later under Deputy Minister Vasanta Piyatissa. Following our request, Rs. 300 million has been allocated in this Budget. We express our gratitude.

¶ 05 We also welcome the proposal to provide Rs. 200 per day from Government funds towards estate workers’ wages; it is a blessing for that community.

¶ 06 On drug control, we fully support strong, non-political action. Do not politicize it. Whether from ruling or opposition parties, punish real traffickers without fear or favor; only then can we protect our future generations.

¶ 07 The Government has allocated funds for housing in the North, East, and areas affected by war. In Jaffna, many Muslims were displaced in 1990 and remain neglected. When they returned, they had no land; no politician helped them obtain State land. As Minister for Vanni, I did what I could, but could not secure even an inch of State land. Many left; some remain. We helped purchase private land for some, but they now live in huts without water. During Ranil Wickremesinghe’s period, through the then Governor, I obtained Rs. 120 million for roads, electricity, water, and drainage. After President Anura Kumara Dissanayake took office, it was returned. We raised this repeatedly with Minister Ramalingam Chandraseker and State Minister Ilankovan, but no one visited them. I also informed the new Governor. Please utilize the allocated funds to at least build 25–30 houses, and when building 2,000 houses in the area, include these people.

¶ 08 In Mannar, we initiated a co-op hospital construction; State Engineering Corporation said another Rs. 600 million is needed. A foreign Government is ready to grant this amount. I informed the Secretary to Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe, but for a year the Cabinet paper has not been submitted. Why delay free grant funding? I request urgent action.

¶ 09 In Silavathurai (Mannar), a hall remains incomplete; the then responsible Minister promised to finish it, but funds were not allocated after a reshuffle. Today he said he would speak with Minister Bimal Rathnayake. Please complete it, else earlier spending is wasted.

¶ 10 We discussed with the President the Mannar–Puttalam road when we met him on wind power. He said he would open it. He also mentioned it publicly. Opening that road will cut 100 km between North and South, benefit tourism and reduce fuel use for transport of northern produce. But nothing is mentioned in the Budget. Please proceed with it.

¶ 11 On Mannar wind power and mineral sands, a Cabinet paper was submitted to clear doubts. We have not heard the outcome. People request clarity. Mannar Island is beautiful—ideal for tourism and fisheries—an international island. Already 150 MW of wind power exists. People ask that new wind projects be shifted to the mainland side to protect the island’s tourism potential. Consult the people and decide. Tourism allocations do not reflect focus on Mannar Island; please beautify and develop it for tourists.

¶ 12 The Talaimannar jetty rehabilitation had Rs. 600 million allocated under Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva; tenders were called and now halted. If needed, we can even obtain Indian funding as a grant. Starting boat services between Sri Lanka and India would allow easy travel—28 km from Talaimannar to India—and could bring up to a billion tourists over time, greatly boosting revenue and local livelihoods. Please act.

¶ 13 A general deficiency I see is lack of a clear interface for foreign investors—who to meet and where. It’s been a year; people will expect much in the next two. Please create a clear pathway to attract investments; our future and jobs depend on it.

¶ 14 In Pulmoddai’s Lanka Mineral Sands (LMS), over a hundred youth recruited under the previous Government are working without pay; some appointments have been halted. The President said 9,000 permanent appointments will be given. Please regularize these LMS workers from whose area the nation earns huge foreign exchange.

¶ 15 To the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Namal Karunaratne: farmers in Muthunagar say their lands were taken and given to companies; they ask for alternative lands or return of their own. When I spoke to Hon. Roshan, he said they were protesting with another group. Regardless, do not penalize farmers—address their land issue and return or grant lands so they can farm and live.

¶ 16 Thank you.