The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, today we have before this august House a Supplementary Estimate of Rs. 6,500 million. While we undertake these measures, I wish to raise matters relating to education.

¶ 02 Funding for schools in hardship and extreme hardship areas must be mandatorily allocated and done without discrimination. In the past, allocations for schools in such areas have been minimal. Recent disasters have severely affected many schools in Ampara District. Even the access roads to these schools are broken, making it extremely difficult for students to attend. Public transport to reach these schools is also lacking. Students rely on SLTB buses, but buses are not dispatched on time to the required routes. This is distressing.

¶ 03 In Alayadivembu and areas like Thangavelayuthapuram, Manalchenai, and similar hardship regions, the approach roads to schools are in disrepair, making travel nearly impossible. I urge you to repair these roads, arrange transport, provide necessary equipment to these schools, and support the education of children in these areas.

¶ 04 Further, school uniforms and supplies must be provided without discrimination to all students. If you provide only to one segment, others will face discrimination.

¶ 05 Ampara District has 20 Divisional Secretariats, including Kalmunai North. For nearly 25 years, there was a Divisional Development Committee (DDC) and its Chairman appointed for Kalmunai North. After this Government came to office, no DDC Chairman has been appointed; it has simply vanished. This is an injustice. Over 47,000 people live there; Kalmunai North DS comprises 29 GN divisions and about 322 staff, including a Divisional Secretary and Planning Officer, with full facilities. Please clarify why a DDC Chairman has not been appointed. In the last election, the Tamil people there, in large numbers, voted even for the NPP. Today those people are disheartened. Considering this, please deliver justice to them immediately.

¶ 06 Two weeks ago, regarding the Thirukkovil Base Hospital, I spoke with His Excellency the President and the Hon. Minister of Health. This hospital is over 100 years old. Its staff cadre is unfilled: while it requires around 26 doctors, only 8 are currently there. It should have more than five specialists; today, not even one consultant—no physician, paediatrician, VOG, surgeon, or anaesthetist. As a result, there have been increased fatalities in the area, which is very concerning. The hospital serves over 57,000 people. It has equipment for operating theatres, a blood bank, physiotherapy, dialysis, etc., but lacks buildings to house them. Constructing these would not need huge sums—about Rs. 5 million could temporarily build the necessary structures. Yet even in resource provision, discrimination is evident.

¶ 07 Hon. Minister of Health, please visit the hospital; ensure your officials also visit; expedite necessary action. In a recent meeting with the President, he assured action and a visit. Please send the officials and fast-track solutions to prevent further loss of life.

¶ 08 Thank you.