The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, please give me two more minutes to conclude. I am speaking about a public issue, not engaging in arguments. I request Members to use decent language and uphold the dignity of Parliament. Schoolchildren are here observing these proceedings. We are here to present good ideas and develop the country. Please respect Parliament.

¶ 02 Regarding the Eastern Province, two bridges in Pottuvil that had been tendered under the Road Development Authority—one across Pottuvil Pramukandam Aru and another across Pottuvil Heda Oya/Navalaru—were halted after a change of government. Farmers now tie seed paddy and fertilizer to a rope and cross the river. I request the Ministry to allocate funds and resume both bridges.

¶ 03 On resettlement in Muthur, when I was Provincial Minister of Housing, we built houses. To ease resettlement, tenders were called via the RDA to rehabilitate the Majithpuram–Vedatheevu bridge; that, too, has been stopped. Please resume it.

¶ 04 Regarding transport, only in name has the Pottuvil depot been upgraded; there are no basic facilities. Kindly provide necessary infrastructure. In Sammanturai, a sub bus depot functioned for long but was arbitrarily shut during the last government. Please reopen it.

¶ 05 Passengers in Pottuvil must waste a day to go to Batticaloa Railway Station to reserve seats for the Batticaloa–Colombo train. Earlier, reservations were available in Kalmunai. Please restore the Kalmunai reservation office. Thank you.