The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir

¶ 01 Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. Hon. Deputy Chairperson, thank you for the opportunity to speak at the Committee Stage debate on the allocation for the Ministry of Digital Economy. I appreciate the Government’s initiatives to build the digital economy and pray for their success.

¶ 02 To build a digital economy, foundational educational measures are needed from school level. Today, many entering universities lack language proficiency and the competencies to navigate the digital world, emerging merely as graduates. A project to provide jobs to 30,000 graduates is underway. By giving additional training in digital technologies, we can help them secure foreign employment and reduce the country’s burden.

¶ 03 In both private and public institutions, there are officers who cannot use computers. In such a situation, how can digitalization bring benefits to the people and develop the economy? We must prepare the people to benefit from these programs. Though many have mobile phones, they need the knowledge to use digital services. Therefore these programs must start from students. In universities, instead of limiting intakes to Arts, Commerce, and Science, we should increase intakes for information technology and strengthen universities to produce the needed skills.

¶ 04 Today, most external graduates complete Arts degrees—often those who could not proceed in Science or Commerce choose Arts as an easier path. By training them in technology, we can meet national needs.

¶ 05 Government has introduced GovPay for departmental payments. We must consider how to extend such systems to private retailers and organizations—through apps or technical facilities—generating revenue for Government. India, Singapore, and Malaysia earn substantial income through digital sectors. Our universities should be developed to deliver digital-technology competencies, as seen in Bangalore, which attracts students from Iran, China, and elsewhere. Why can we not implement such initiatives here?

¶ 06 On education more broadly, teacher transfers remain a problem. Some areas need teachers; others see teachers transferred far away. With current economic conditions, salaries are insufficient for teachers to reside far away and teach. Many officials face similar hardships; up to a third of salaries go to transport. We need reforms in transfer policies, especially for those posted far away or residing to serve. Even after five years, transfers are not guaranteed.

¶ 07 Basic facilities in many schools—national and provincial—are lacking, gravely affecting education. I have raised issues at Pottuvil: students learn in six adjacent classes inside an eight-foot-high tin shed; the noise disrupts learning. Many Ampara schools operate in tin sheds or under temporary structures. This year’s Budget has increased funding for education. With India’s assistance in the Eastern Province, more resources should go to improving school infrastructure. To build a healthy society and good citizens, we must start from school level. Many students travel far because nearby schools lack facilities. Even for chairs and desks, some schools collect money—this should be avoided considering parents’ economic conditions. Government should pay special attention.

¶ 08 In Ampara District, many schools lack teachers, yet our teachers are sent to Trincomalee and Batticaloa. This should be reduced in future. Officials are also transferred far. In Sinhala-medium schools, Tamil is needed and vice versa; this should be considered in transfers to reduce language-related issues, especially for women officers.

¶ 09 People voted for the National People’s Power (NPP) in two elections due to promises to eliminate corruption and fraud, electing Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake as President and 159 MPs. With 159 seats, you can change all laws and take the country forward. The people are watching what you will do with this mandate. Are these arrests and releases mere drama for the upcoming elections? Instead of such acts, please focus on building the economy, improving livelihoods, and reducing prices. We appreciate measures to cut wasteful expenditure, but mere cost-cutting will not rebuild the nation; prices must come down and public sector salaries must increase. Development means people’s wellbeing and happiness. If your program delivers genuine benefits, we are ready to support you. For people’s problems to be solved, the economy must improve through price reductions and salary increases. I request this respectfully and thank you for the opportunity.