The Hon. K. Kader Masthan

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

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, today we are discussing amendments to the existing legal framework to enable action against corruption and to make Sri Lanka a corruption-free country, which is what the people mandated you to do. You must have the commitment to eradicate corruption. I appreciate your continued efforts in this regard. However, I must also say that there are still many corrupt individuals within this Government who, through their influence, are preparing to commit corruption and to escape accountability for past corruption. We can observe actions that enable such outcomes. You will realize this only after your term ends!

¶ 03 Instead, even now, you must act to fulfill the purpose for which you came to power—investigate past corruption and take action, and ensure that henceforth corruption cannot occur. If corruption occurs, action must be taken without any bias or discrimination based on who they are or which party they belong to. This is the people’s expectation. I therefore request that your actions be aligned accordingly.

¶ 04 I commend President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for raising his voice, in the proper forum, at the United Nations for the severely affected Palestinian people. I reiterate my appreciation and thanks. At the same time, those from Israel who perpetrate atrocities and cruelties are now coming here and attempting to display their handiwork. Do not sit idly by saying, “The past Government allowed this; we can do nothing.” Take appropriate action. They are not renewing their visas here; people are unable to access areas where they reside; there are many such problems. I am not directly blaming this Government; you have come to correct the mistakes made by the past Government. Do not keep repeating that; take proper action.

¶ 05 Next, Mannar Island is on the verge of destruction. The past Government made mistakes here, and I believe this Government is continuing them. People have been protesting for about 55 days against wind turbine installations on the island. Local representatives and a team of senior officials met the Hon. President and discussed this. We also met the Hon. Minister. The President said an experts’ committee would be appointed and a good decision taken based on its recommendations. Yet, finally, he granted approval to commence the project. We did not expect that. There are many locations in Mannar District. Must those towers be installed on the island? Does the wind blow only on the island?

¶ 06 Already, nearly 30 wind turbines have been installed in one part of the island by previous Governments. For the second phase, the previous Government had granted approval only for four towers, but due to tender irregularities and other issues, a contract was not finalized. However, after the new Government came, a contract for 10 wind towers was signed. Do not then blame the former Government. The people say: do not install these on the island. The island’s north–south width is only 4 km; the southern area already has wind turbines near the coast—about 30. Approvals for a further four were not granted, despite requests, due to issues and public opposition. Without any party bias, even the then district coordination committee chair did not grant approval because the people strongly opposed it. Today the island is at risk. Despite this, the Government has astonishingly approved another 10 towers; the contract was already concluded. You could have stopped it.

¶ 07 We told the President: if this is not done, by 2028 we will be in the dark; he insisted it must be done. We said: do not install on the island; install beyond it. In the Mannar north from Thalladi to Vellankulam, and similarly from Mullikulam to Karaitivu, there are forested areas where many wind towers can be installed. Why make the people suffer and do what they do not want?

¶ 08 Our youth, people, clergy, and representatives conveyed their deep concerns with details. Therefore, do not place the 10 wind turbines on the island; install them in other parts of the district. I request this from the Hon. President, the relevant Minister, and this Government.

¶ 09 The people of Mannar do not want the country’s economy to stagnate or the people to be in darkness without electricity. They are capable of doing whatever benefits the people. Look at the situation of Mannar’s fishermen—especially in South Bar, Thalvupadu, Thottaveli, Olaithoduvai, Pesalai, and other places. We took the Hon. Minister to many of these locations to hear the people. He knows of their opposition. The youth of Pesalai explained the ground realities very well. Existing approvals were for power generation at certain locations; people are now protesting against additional towers.

¶ 10 Therefore, do not implement this project on Mannar Island. Two years ago, people in that area were severely affected by floods; parts of the island were submerged for four months. Because of that experience, they strongly oppose this wind project—especially on the island. Please install the project beyond the island. The Government has given approval for 10 towers. I request that the company be required to relocate these 10 towers to areas outside the island and reorganize the project accordingly. I conclude with this request.