The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Presiding Member. I am pleased to join the Second Reading debate on the 2026 Budget.

¶ 02 In 2025, development announcements were made late in the year. Our officials in the Vanni have been toiling day and night to avoid returning unspent funds. I now realize I was mistaken to have called the last Budget a good one. The last quarter is the rainy season in our region and nationally; in that period, development works cannot be practically executed. As the Government moves to implement the 2026 Budget, it should first address such practical issues.

¶ 03 No matter how much you allocate, in our areas there are major obstacles to development. The Forest Department, Department of Wildlife Conservation and similar agencies have appropriated large extents of Government land and even farmers’ lands, and they block development. Even the Mannar Hospital project has issues due to the Forest Department’s hold. For any construction or work, their permission is needed. While you allocate more funds, implementation is hampered because these departments have taken over vast areas and say they answer to no one. In development committee meetings they promise to release lands, but it does not happen, regardless of which Government is in office. Housing schemes, agricultural projects and building works are stalled due to these departmental practices. Therefore, these departments must be brought firmly under Government control. Otherwise, with their obstructive conduct, there will be no development in our country.

¶ 04 India is willing to fund development in places like Palaly and Talaimannar. Just when the country seeks growth through development, why block India’s assistance? You call Palaly an international airport; why not upgrade it to international standards? When India seeks to develop Kankesanthurai Port, why block it? When India seeks to start the Talaimannar–Rameswaram ferry, why block it? Tourism now brings critical income to our country; foreign arrivals sustain our economy. When India offers to support Northern development that would boost tourism and the economy, why halt it? Are these decisions taken with an ethnic lens? When India extends a helping hand, we should grasp it to advance our economy. I urge the Hon. President to show consideration and take cognizance of these matters.

¶ 05 I also propose that, if we want economic advancement, the Prevention of Terrorism Act should be repealed immediately. If we want to enable development anywhere in this country and attract investment — including from our diaspora — the PTA must go. Even if you reduce electricity tariffs or offer incentives, the PTA is a barrier. Investors fear that after they invest, the PTA could be used to question their funding as “LTTE money” or similar — discouraging them. If the PTA is repealed, investors will come. The Government has said it will do so, but it has not happened. If the Government fails to address this, we will lose opportunities for economic progress.

¶ 06 Next, health: the Mannar General Hospital is in a very poor state. There are not enough specialists. Though the Minister and the Governor have visited, and the hospital is nominally upgraded to district general level, it functions like a rural hospital. The Government is making transfers on paper: anaesthetists are essential to conduct surgeries, whether for childbirth or other needs. Transfers have been issued to Dr. M.D.D. Silva from Ampara and Dr. T.K.R. Kanangara from Embilipitiya to Mannar General Hospital, but neither has reported. As a result, full-term pregnant mothers and other urgent cases are transferred to Jaffna or Vavuniya. The trip from Mannar to Jaffna takes nearly two hours; when the only ambulance goes and returns, another patient in need of emergency care may die. The Government must prioritize health and education first if we are to meet people’s needs. Patients queue from 5.00 a.m., return home late without lunch; this is common in many hospitals. The Government must address this. People queue from 4.00–5.00 a.m. for services, or to get passports where lines begin at 3.00 a.m. with touts holding places. This must change.

¶ 07 In our region, agriculture and fisheries are the two main income sectors. Has the Government introduced anything new for our fishers during the past year? Our fishing communities continue to suffer. What plans do you have to raise them economically? You should present such plans here. When farmers harvest paddy, the farmgate price must be announced immediately. If delayed, rice mafias buy at very low prices. In our tradition, a widow removes her “thali” only after her husband dies; yet to protect agriculture, farmers’ wives are pawning their sacred thali to get bank loans — a tragic situation unique to our land. The Government must provide concessions and ensure a guaranteed price for paddy; otherwise, due to the mafias’ depressed prices, farmers cannot repay debts and will suffer.

¶ 08 If the Government promptly addresses these issues, we can certainly achieve better economic outcomes. I take my leave. Thank you.