The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, as I have very little time, I will be brief.

¶ 02 Hon. Minister of Fisheries, when you visited Batticaloa, we could not meet, but you went to Kallady. There, an ice factory is lying idle. Please take steps to restart it, as fishers need ice blocks.

¶ 03 In the past, fishing gear was distributed with political bias; some poor fishers did not receive any. Please ensure distribution on a non-partisan basis.

¶ 04 This is the rainy season; with floods, fisheries are affected, and fishers cannot go to sea. They seek relief. Please consider this.

¶ 05 In Batticaloa, coastal areas such as Vakarai, Kaluvankerny, Thalavai, Navalady, Kallady, Kiran Kulam, Puthukudiyiruppu, Chettipalayam, Kaluthavalai, Kallar, and Palchenai lack jetties. Please construct landing jetties in at least a few of these places to reduce hardship.

¶ 06 On Science and Technology: Nations that embrace science and technology have developed; those clutching racism, religious extremism, corruption, and fraud have not. Therefore, embed science and technology in schools, universities, factories, and farms. Valaichchenai Paper Mill and Karadianaru Farm still operate traditionally. These institutions, which employ thousands, must be modernized with science and technology to drive development and generate jobs. Train students from school level to build skills for self-employment.

¶ 07 I urge the Ministers of Education, Higher Education, Vocational Training, Science and Technology, and the Deputy Minister of Digital Economy: embed science and technology across schools, universities, factories, and farms. Only then can we build a prosperous nation. As long as fundamentalism, corruption, and fraud guide our hands, we will not progress.

¶ 08 Batticaloa is a coastal district; fishers face many challenges, including low tides and other issues. Please implement remedies. You often engage with us and handle matters directly; please continue to do so carefully. Hon. Kanthasamy Prabu also raised these issues. Address fishers’ problems beyond party lines, properly and promptly.

¶ 09 Rapidly take science and technology to the people to create employment. Many HNDE diploma holders, Siddha graduates, and even engineers are unemployed. Use science and technology to train and empower them, and channel them into productive work. Thank you.