The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Presiding Member. First, I pay tribute to Rev. Fr. Luke Regini, Parish Priest of Amalanmary Church, Mantai—who passed away suddenly while serving.

¶ 02 On the proposed wind power project in Mannar: our people have protested for 53 days in Mannar and then in Colombo. Yet, yesterday, His Excellency the President issued a letter directing that the project be implemented. Are our people’s struggles in vain? Have their right to life and sovereignty been denied?

¶ 03 A leader who emerged from a protest movement and now heads the Government has ordered a project that our people say will make life unlivable. If economic development is pursued by sacrificing our people’s lives, we cannot accept it. Despite raising many concerns about Mannar with the President, he brushed them aside and ordered the project.

¶ 04 Our struggle will continue and grow. Even if they must sacrifice their lives, our people will resist a project they believe threatens their lives, so that future generations can live well. I issue this warning respectfully in this House.

¶ 05 Turning to the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill before us: I welcome it as a good step. Child abuse is rising sharply everywhere, including rural areas, much like drug abuse. Widespread mobile phone use without parental oversight, and the erosion of parent–child communication, alienate children from family life, contributing to vulnerabilities. We must not allow this. I support the Bill to curb violence and abuse against children. Thank you.