The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Presiding Member.

¶ 02 I am glad to speak on two important Ministries’ Expenditure Heads. A Deputy Minister said housing has done nothing historically and the President only dreams. Let me start there. The Housing Ministry has achievements. On 1 October—World Habitat Day—was so declared following a proposal to the UN Commission on Human Settlements by the late R. Premadasa. In 1987, the UN declared the International Year of Shelter for the Homeless on his initiative. The Archbishop of Canterbury named him the world’s best Housing Minister (1987). He greatly contributed to resolving Sri Lanka’s housing problem.

¶ 03 Likewise, Sajith Premadasa, as Housing Minister, built not only houses but also housing villages with water, electricity, and other infrastructure, enabling livelihoods in agriculture or fisheries.

¶ 04 Hon. Minister, you mentioned a list—“Nivaspura”?

¶ 05 Hon. Member: “Viyathpura.”

¶ 06 Yes, fine. Lists are not enough; actions matter. Alongside lists, take actions and report them weekly. Your Ministry is pivotal. I noted you recently took a small “shot” at India. India helped us greatly—during the crisis, US$ 4.5 billion support.

¶ 07 Palaly Airport is a place we can revive with Indian support; even lands are reserved. We need clarity on steps to develop Palaly with Indian involvement.

¶ 08 There used to be a Talaimannar–Rameswaram ferry, 45 minutes to India. It has stopped. Instead, there’s a Nagapattinam ferry taking over three hours. Hon. Minister Bimal Rathnayake, please revive the earlier ferry. The President visited India—if he sought support, good. India is our elder brother; with PM Modi’s support, restarting that ferry would benefit Northern people with strong ties to South India and bring economic gains.

¶ 09 Also, discuss land connectivity with India. India has the world’s third‑highest number of billionaires and a massive economy. We must engage more, get closer. Do not fear building a bridge or a corridor now. You feared such things while in Opposition, painting India as a bogeyman, campaigning against devolution in 1988–1989. That should be past.

¶ 10 On Trincomalee Port: historically, geopolitics blocked our development there. Now, with Indian goodwill and economic strength, develop Trincomalee to anchor Bay of Bengal economic activity and maritime economy. Earlier, TNA opposed Sampur coal power; I do not think the North and East will oppose development now. I hope your “Chinese friends” won’t oppose Trincomalee’s development.

¶ 11 Hon. Bimal Rathnayake: “We eat both dosa and noodles.”

¶ 12 Yes, but they’re different tastes and eaten differently; choose wisely and carefully. In my view, “dosa” suits us better than “noodles”—our neighbour’s fare.

¶ 13 On the Central Expressway CEP‑3, Potuhera to Rambukkana: Not started in your time. Contracts were awarded: 12 small packages and five large packages, with the same qualification criteria, but unit rates for the five large packages were almost three times higher. Then‑Minister Johnston Fernando favoured five major firms—ICC, Maga Engineering, NEM Construction, Access Engineering, KDAW. Please compare BOQs and check this.

¶ 14 Initially only ABC overlay was awarded; for the rest, when re‑tendered, it moved from National Competitive Bidding to ICB, seemingly to favour three or four players, reducing competition. Please adhere to National Procurement Commission guidelines and review the triple‑priced awards under Johnston.

¶ 15 On the Ruwanpura Expressway: the previous government halted it. Maga reportedly submitted claims around Rs. 30 billion, similar to the tender value. It appears not doing the work became more profitable than doing it. Please examine the claim and consider whether awarding to them is better than paying claims.

¶ 16 On Kadawatha–Meerigama, only about 10 percent is done. The issue was Exim Bank of China not providing the loan from 2015 to 2020. Now that Exim representatives are here, secure support and complete this economically vital section.

¶ 17 On the East Container Terminal: progress is delayed; the equipment tender was cancelled. The contractor (China Harbour) may not be getting adequate support from the Port Authority’s officials. Please ensure support, and note that changing the access road alignment appears to confer major advantage to SAGT, a private terminal managed by JKH. Handle this carefully; don’t rely solely on officials—look deeper.

¶ 18 Hon. Anura Karunathilaka, regarding the National Water Supply and Drainage Board: In my district, the Deduru Oya Water Supply Project Phase 1 built intake, tanks, plant, and part of the distribution. Phase 2 covers Nikaweratiya and Polpithigama DS areas—regions with high CKDu incidence, especially Polpithigama. The project, about US$ 27 million, needs 260 km distribution network; Cabinet approved and contract awarded, but the agreement is still unsigned—delayed. Korean loan terms are very concessional: 0.15 percent interest, 15‑year grace, 40‑year repayment—light on the economy. Please expedite for Polpithigama and Mahawa.

¶ 19 On railways: we still run on colonial lines with little major upgrade. SLTB too suffers because in the 1960s–70s, nationalization destroyed strong private bus companies. Premadasa’s people’s programmes to combine rail, SLTB, and private sector could have given us Singapore/Malaysia‑like systems, but you opposed privatization then.

¶ 20 You also said you’d allow a private party to build railway track from Nanu Oya to Udupussellawa—this is mainly a cost issue, not landslide risk. Invest with a good investor; this scenic line—from Nanu Oya, Perakumpura, Ambewela, Pattipola, Idalgashinna, Haputale, Diyatalawa, Bandarawela, Heel Oya, Ella—can be promoted. Add trains; some from Colombo, others starting from Nanu Oya, Gampola, or even Nawalpitiya. There are many opportunities now without a hostile Opposition or destabilizing strikes. The SJB Opposition will support. Gazette us as the Opposition if you wish—we will still support good measures.

¶ 21 Privatize institutions: SLTB and Sri Lanka Railways. Only then can they reach a highly developed status. Do not be ashamed to change course. We will provide maximum support; we will not bankrupt the country or create bogeymen.

¶ 22 Thank you.