The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees. I am pleased to contribute to the motion by Hon. Ravi Karunanayake on making youth self-employed entrepreneurs.

¶ 02 In the Northern Province, thousands of graduates remain unemployed. I raised a question today under Standing Order 27(2); the Hon. Prime Minister left, but the Hon. Deputy Minister promised a reply within two weeks. The North and East are rich in agriculture and marine resources and can build their economies, yet even the Provincial Councils are not in our hands.

¶ 03 Those who completed indigenous medical studies around 2007 still lack permanent appointments. We have been told to take Development Officer posts instead of practicing as doctors; this is unacceptable.

¶ 04 On Thayiddi and Mayiliddy viharas, I appealed directly to our Minister to halt activities politicized there. At Mayiliddy harbour, 200-300 Indian fishing boats are anchored; their size is huge. Please remove those vessels and provide jobs for our local youth. Rather than doing politics in Chemmani and fleeing, work with the Tamil people—we will support you fully. I mean no disrespect; I truly want to help.

¶ 05 Funds of Rs. 10 million per MP—the diversified fund—have still not been released to the six Jaffna District MPs. With that, we could have implemented good projects.

¶ 06 On 26th June in Scarborough, Ontario, the Tamil community gathered...

¶ 07 [Time called.]

¶ 08 Give me 20 seconds, Hon. Deputy Chairperson.

¶ 09 Sixty-four bodies were exhumed from a well in Chemmani—you know this. We are a people who fought nearly 30 years for a separate state...

¶ 10 [Time called.]

¶ 11 Ten more seconds, please.

¶ 12 Even today, Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe said I speak outside; I am not afraid. With that, I conclude. Thank you.