The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I thank you for the opportunity. First, briefly in Tamil: We thank Hon. Minister Bimal Rathnayake for bringing this National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill. However, I must raise an urgent matter about Jaffna. The main Jaffna bus stand, near the Teaching Hospital, is about 70 years old. Recently, I saw a video where our district MP Hon. Ilankumaran, with a few personnel, appeared to be focusing only on optics at the bus stand. Under the Clean Sri Lanka initiative, I expected thorough clean-up and proper organization. Instead, the bus stand has become a haunt for drug users. With SLTB and private buses parking there, the crowding is severe.

¶ 02 We were told at the DCC that the Hon. Minister of Transport would visit on the 8th to act, but the matter was taken up with the Northern Governor. The new long-distance bus terminal built in Jaffna—at great expense—lies largely unused while the old stand near the hospital remains congested. In Vavuniya, the terminal was successfully relocated from the old to the new site; why has this not been done in Jaffna?

¶ 03 Private and SLTB buses race dangerously across the country, causing many accidents, including in the North. The authorities have failed to integrate services to a single timetable. Despite repeated DCC meetings with the Governor and the district’s Hon. Minister Chandrasekar, nothing has happened.

¶ 04 I will now raise issues in Sinhala as well: During elections, people in the North were told many stories to seek votes. I also raised allegations, for which I take responsibility, concerning containers and diaspora matters. I understand the Chair’s guidance that I bear responsibility for my statements.

¶ 05 I have faced legal actions, and I am prepared to face consequences. My broader point is that our people have suffered—my own family suffered grievously in 2009. Despite this pain, I call in 2025 for unity and sincerity. Let us end empty promises. Honor all who died—on every side—as human beings. Do right by them with truth and justice.

¶ 06 Thank you.