The Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to speak on the Supplementary Estimate to obtain additional funds for Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation for the 2025 financial year.

¶ 02 In the East, much remains to be done. In line with our requests, the next Budget has made allocations and initiated feasibility studies for the significant “Kiraan Bridge” project, with a commitment to commence initial works. I sincerely thank the Hon. Minister for this. Additionally, the District Development Committee was informed that Rs. 250 million would be allocated for rehabilitating small bridges; I thank the Hon. Minister for that as well.

¶ 03 As I said, many things are needed in the North and East, especially in backward, war-affected areas where substantial infrastructure work is required. For example, in the Batticaloa West region, especially Paduvankarai, people suffer due to lack of facilities. These needs should be covered either under this Supplementary Estimate or the next Budget to meet basic requirements.

¶ 04 Although a programme to renovate many bus stands was implemented from the last Budget, several bus stands in Batticaloa District remain in very poor condition. Batticaloa must be included. The Valaichchenai bus depot needs rehabilitation, and as previously agreed, a sub-depot in Vakarai should be established, but no action has been taken yet, citing non-profitability.

¶ 05 Rail transport schedules have become a severe problem; though a change was promised, there is no timeline. A railway substation promised near the Eastern University has also not materialized.

¶ 06 Of the Rs. 250 million allocated for small bridges, Rs. 230 million has been brought in; the remaining Rs. 20 million should be included at least through this Supplementary Estimate.

¶ 07 Further, ferry services should be initiated to connect Paduvankarai with Poompuhar, to link Kinniyadi–Palugamam–Kaludawila, and also between Perambaditheevu and other areas. These would significantly improve transport facilities.

¶ 08 At the last District Development Committee meeting, when discussing the Kiraan Bridge, proposals were made for bridges at Mandur, Kurumanveli, Nasivantheevu, Pankudaveli and Narippulthottam. Though feasibility studies began years ago, they have now been abandoned. These must be recommenced so that war-affected, underdeveloped areas in Batticaloa can be connected with urban centres.

¶ 09 Public transport facilities remain irregular in many places. At every Divisional Development Committee, people raise these as major issues. By steadily addressing such fundamentals and providing facilities, trust in government can be built. We welcome your efforts against drugs and corruption; the people of Batticaloa have faith in that. However, developments done elsewhere in Sri Lanka should also be undertaken in our war-affected areas, where for nearly 30 years of war and even thereafter, adequate infrastructure has not been provided.

¶ 10 Hon. Deputy Speaker

¶ 11 Hon. Member, your time is up.