The Hon. Imran Maharoof

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Deputy Chair. On the Budget Heads of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation, and Urban Development, Construction and Housing, I wish to raise several matters.

¶ 02 Trincomalee District is excellent for tourism and national economic growth. Under Portuguese, Dutch, and British rule, Trincomalee was a principal port city—an unofficial capital—a “city that never sleeps.” War and natural disasters like the tsunami devastated it. From Colombo to Trincomalee takes about seven hours. Extending the expressway from Kurunegala to Dambulla or Habarana, as a primary corridor to the North and East, would significantly boost tourism and connectivity. Please take action.

¶ 03 Trincomalee Port is internationally renowned; control over Trincomalee has historically implied control over the Island. Therefore, for Trincomalee’s development, please focus on transport, roads and bridges.

¶ 04 On the Kinniya—Kurinchakerny Bridge: delays have already cost eight lives. What is its current status, when will rehabilitation start, and under what arrangement?

¶ 05 In Trincomalee’s Karumalaiyootru, 139 perches of land belonging to the Jummah Mosque and 16 perches of ziyarat land are now claimed as belonging to the Port Authority. Meanwhile, the 4th Regiment’s Commando has blocked access, claiming the land belongs to their camp, and halted mosque activities. This is private land of the Karumalaiyootru Jamiah Mosque—documents exist. Please ensure these lands and the mosque are handed back to the community. A small Army camp is situated on the mosque’s land; please relocate it elsewhere.

¶ 06 In Pattinam and surrounding GS divisions, Port Authority land claims cover long-settled residential and cultivation lands in areas like Muthunagar, Vellamanal, Karumalaiyootru, Nasikkuda, and Palaiyootru. These claims (per a 1984 Gazette) threaten residents. Please amend designations to guarantee tenure for long-term residents and cultivation rights.

¶ 07 On transport: the daytime Trincomalee–Colombo train service has been suspended. With tourism rising, this should be restored—even if currently loss-making—as it will become viable. Adjust the timetable as needed.

¶ 08 On aviation: resume domestic services from Trincomalee (China Bay)—to Colombo, Ratmalana, Palaly, and Batticaloa—now suspended.

¶ 09 On coastal erosion: from Kinniya Bridge to Upparu Bridge, and in Muttur, coastal erosion is severe. Funds were earlier allocated but works were halted due to alleged corruption. Please investigate and provide solutions.

¶ 10 On urban development: in Kinniya, Thoppur, and Pulmoddai, even roundabouts, beautification and clock towers are neglected. Please include these urban improvements.

¶ 11 A recent incident: on 23 February, near Matatugama/Kailappathana, a police officer brutally assaulted a moulavi; videos are on social media. The victim, Al-Hafil Al-Alim Abdul Latheef Qiyasdeen (Rahmani), is the Pesh Imam at Masjidul Huda, Angunachchi, Horowpothana. The officer was arrested and bailed, but such acts dishonour clerics and distress the Muslim community. The All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama condemned it and informed the Acting IGP. The Defence Ministry must ensure such actions cease, particularly when the Government speaks of unity and harmony.

¶ 12 My remarks are concluded. I table the newspaper article from “Vidivelli” titled “What happened when police assaulted a moulavi in public?” by S.N.M. Suhail for the Hansard.