The Hon. Shantha Padma Kumara Subasingha

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, this is my maiden speech. Our 159 MPs were elected, and from Ratnapura District eight MPs were returned with the support of Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim people. I thank them and understand the responsibility given at a time when, over 76 years, various governments drove the country into economic, social, political, and cultural decline. The people finally placed great trust in our NPP movement.

¶ 02 Yes, power can corrupt and absolute power absolutely, as Lord Acton said. But this mandate was given not to an individual but to a movement that decides collectively. We will use this power only as needed, when needed, to deliver what people expect, including environmental protection.

¶ 03 On the Vote on Account, I draw attention to a small hydropower project in Bambarbottuwa GN Division, Ratnapura Division, reportedly begun around 2015 under past governments. For nine years, the people who love the environment protested and managed to stall it. The project, promoted as crossing only Kadura-gal-dola, actually affects Padi Oya Ella and Madanagiri Ella—sensitive, tourist-attraction waterfalls within a declared highly sensitive environmental zone. The proponent “S.N. Hydro Power (Pvt) Ltd.” gives an address at 104, Ranakanajothi Mawatha, Ratnapura, but no such company is registered at that address; even the site naming is misleading. Fourteen agencies including the Central Environmental Authority were misled by forged documentation to obtain approvals. Due to ongoing public protests—most recently on the 28th and even yesterday—the project has been halted at times, but work still proceeds. I urge the Minister of Environment to intervene and stop it.

¶ 04 The area hosts endemic freshwater fish like “gal padiya,” sensitive indicator species for water quality, and provides drinking water to locals. Protesters seek no compensation or handouts; they seek to prevent environmental harm. An Opposition MP from our district misled this House claiming our party took money and created conflict; he spoke for the project proponents, not the people. The public have resisted this since 2015 despite two successive governments allowing it, and even the Sustainable Energy Authority filed a biased case without hearing protestors and lost. I request immediate intervention to at least suspend the project pending proper assessment, as even a day’s work can cause serious damage in this highly sensitive zone.