The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, thank you for permitting a Question under Standing Order 27(2) to the Hon. Bimal Rathnayake, Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation.

¶ 02 Hon. Minister, at last week’s special Coordinating Committee meeting in Jaffna chaired by you, you worked diligently on basic infrastructure crucial to the people. Two key matters discussed should now be debated in Parliament for the public interest: first, the Palaly Airport—which is termed an international airport—and second, the Kankesanthurai (KKS) landing point, which we may call a port.

¶ 03 While I recognize the unprecedented attention your Government is giving to Northern development, we seek sustained outcomes beyond rhetoric. From the Opposition, I ask the following with due courtesy and on behalf of those who voted for you:

¶ 04 1. What total funds were allocated in 2025 for development of the Palaly domestic/international airport? How much was spent up to 21 September 2025? Can you table the evidence? 2. For KKS, the North’s only economic “port” (still a landing point, not a full port), what was allocated in the 2025 Budget; how much was spent up to 21 September 2025; and can you table the proofs? 3. In the 2025 Budget, how much was allocated for small harbours/landing sites in the Northern Province, and how much has been spent? Please table the evidence. 4. The Governor reportedly wrote labelling your Cabinet Minister as “corrupt,” and Government Chief M. Pradeeban was asked to resign. The public observed his statements on resettlement and lands seized by the military. In line with those statements: - What is Palaly Airport’s current land area; - How much of it is legally held by the Government; - How much public land has been taken without legal process; and - For public lands already acquired, how many families received compensation, when, by whom, and what is the total value? 5. Of the private lands acquired for expansion of Palaly Airport, how much has been released back to owners? How much released land remains unclaimed by owners? How many families’ lands have been released? 6. Outside the North and East, are there any other parts of Sri Lanka where private lands have been acquired for airport/port development without compensation to date? If so, will you table the details? 7. Having noted your decision not to develop KKS into an international port, can you explain the reasons? If you consider the funds spent on Hambantota and Mattala to be wasteful, can you estimate Palaly’s annual passenger numbers, projected revenue and profits if developed as an international airport? 8. There is a public perception that if Palaly is developed, it could become like Mattala—an airport without international traffic. Do you accept the allegation that, under the guise of “airport development,” lands are being taken for military/political purposes without compensation through military occupation? If not, why? 9. Why is only the airport being developed, while the KKS port is not? As the responsible Minister, we trust you will provide prompt answers.