The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe

¶ 01 Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim.

¶ 02 Hon. Members, I am pleased to participate in the debate relating to the Orders under the Stamp Duty (Special Provisions) Act brought by the Government to increase revenue. In recent months, Rs. 250 billion has accrued to the Government through vehicle imports, and in the past six months, the Sri Lanka Customs alone has generated Rs. 975 billion in revenue. With such revenue, I request that the Government undertake development projects in our war-affected Northern and Eastern Provinces.

¶ 03 The Eastern Province is rich in natural resources. This year, the Central Government has not allocated funds to the Eastern Province; rather, it is stated that development will be implemented with Indian assistance. However, even in the Budget, there is no clear detail on what specific development work will be carried out in the East with Indian funding.

¶ 04 Agriculture is a key sector that can generate income for the country and benefit hundreds of thousands of poor farmers. The Government should channel agricultural revenues back to benefit farmers. Particularly, not only in the North and East but across the country, before harvest, the Treasury should allocate funds for paddy procurement. Grain storage (silos) should be built and a program set up so farmers can sell at a fair price. I make this request on behalf of Northern and Eastern farmers because last year, due to two floods, they suffered heavy losses. In Ampara District, paddy harvesting will begin early July — the Government must fix a guaranteed price and pay special attention.

¶ 05 The Government has decided to provide machines for drying paddy to the Paddy Marketing Board — I believe such machines have been given to the Oluvil/Valathapitty and Uhana areas. As Ampara is a major agricultural district, I request through the Ministry of Finance that special funds be allocated to provide paddy-drying machines also to Pottuvil, Akkaraipattu, Addalaichenai, Thirukkovil and similar areas.

¶ 06 Hon. Presiding Member, some Muslim MPs on the government side have recently made various criticisms. We must first consider political history. Muslim, Tamil and Sinhala leaders of various eras did what they could. I was pained to hear some newly elected Muslim MPs of the ruling party demean our leaders who have done great service and who were elected to this House under the leadership and stature of Hon. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. At a meeting chaired by the Hon. President, I told him: those who came to this House in his name are insulting leaders who have done great work.

¶ 07 This country endured a brutal war for 30 years. All three communities suffered. Racism was also fostered, especially at its peak during the last Government. Thousand Buddhist clergy were gathered to march from Kandy to Colombo. At that time, Muslim Ministers, State Ministers and Deputy Ministers united, and under the leadership of SLMC Leader Al Haj Rauff Hakeem, they demanded an end to that racism. They, who had the backing of the majority of Muslims, decided to resign their portfolios, and did so to oppose the zenith of racism during Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s tenure.

¶ 08 To those criticizing here, I say: we speak for the people, and we support the Government’s good work, but we are concerned about our community. Every Government has come to power with Muslim and Tamil support. From former President Chandrika to the present Hon. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Muslims have extended support. Do not belittle our leaders or MPs in Government. The Hon. President calls for unity to bring good governance, but some who came under his leadership insult our great leaders — that is unjust. If that continues, we will be compelled to state what is happening in our districts; we have compiled matters in Ampara. Yesterday I told the President: just as you worked democratically with 113 when in Opposition, we too will work democratically from the Opposition.

¶ 09 Did those who criticize here speak when a Muslim youth named Rushdi was arrested under the PTA? We, as Muslim MPs, spoke out and said it was wrong. At that time your voices were suppressed.

¶ 10 The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has recommended on Complaint No. 08-25: Mr. Muhammad Liawudeen Muhammad Rushdi was arrested by CTID on 22 March 2025, and a Detention Order was issued on 24 March 2025 by the Hon. President as Defence Minister. The primary allegation was displaying two stickers in Colombo city centre bearing the phrase “Fuck Israel.” As there was no evidence of an offence under the ICCPR Act, the Detention Order was suspended after 14 days and he was released on 07 April 2025. HRCSL held inquiries on 10 and 21 April 2025, heard submissions, and on 12 June 2025 recommended that the detention under the Detention Order was wrong and that the NPP Government should pay Rs. 200,000 as compensation to Mr. Rushdi. Please convey this to the Hon. President.

¶ 11 We have always supported national security. We lived through the war in the North and East. Do not consider us ‘silent’ in Parliament. Our rights were denied and we carry many pains. If anyone has done wrong, we have no issue with lawful action. But please cooperate for what is good for the people.

¶ 12 I also note, Iran has assisted Sri Lanka in many ways, not only economically but in irrigation and more. Israel, through inhumane acts and conflict with Iran, has disturbed world peace. Which Muslim MPs here spoke on this? We will speak the truth. In this critical period, Sri Lanka’s Government must voice against Israel’s injustices to Palestine. Thank you for the opportunity.