The Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen

¶ 01 Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim.

¶ 02 Madam Deputy Chairperson, today we debate the allocations for the Ministries of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, and of Fisheries, Aquatic Resources and Marine Resources. Many good ideas on rural development have been raised—please implement them.

¶ 03 Despite programmes named Janasaviya, Samurdhi, and now Aswesuma, those below the poverty line remain poor. The core problem is politicization. The previous Government initiated Aswesuma, and the present Government continues it, but beneficiary selection was flawed. Even with Samurdhi officers present, due to lack of coordination, Aswesuma used a different scheme and many eligible were excluded while ineligible people benefited. In future, please correct this.

¶ 04 When beneficiaries are selected via QR systems, there must be higher-level oversight and an avenue for grievance redressal at the Divisional Secretariat. Authorize Divisional Secretaries to make final corrections so affected people can appeal locally; now, they are told “QR cannot be changed” and sent away helpless.

¶ 05 Use the 1,083 Samurdhi banks to implement Aswesuma—they are present in villages and can serve people. Modernize Samurdhi banks; many other banks are modernized, but not these. Also address Samurdhi officers’ stagnation: those appointed since 1994 have had no promotions for 30 years, unlike others who get increments and promotions. Even at retirement they remain at the same grade. Please rectify this and expand Aswesuma coverage because many more have fallen into poverty after the economic crisis.

¶ 06 On fisheries: the Minister hails from Jaffna and knows fishermen’s sufferings. Indian trawlers continue to violate our laws and plunder our resources. Despite many meetings and visits to India by former Ministers, nothing changed—Indian trawlers fish before our eyes in Mannar. Only a stringent plan with the Navy will stop this; otherwise fishermen will sink further below the poverty line.

¶ 07 Strengthen inland fisheries in the North and East. India has offered USD 10 million to establish an Aquaculture Centre of Excellence in Mannar—please expedite it so the whole North and East benefit. Countries like Vietnam have grown economically through aquaculture; we can too, with proper planning rather than ad hoc projects influenced by politics or a few officials.

¶ 08 Vankalai, a large Catholic-majority fishing village in Mannar, faces severe coastal erosion and seawater intrusion threatening its existence. The Fisheries Ministry must protect such communities; despite previous allocations to build a seawall, it was not done. Please implement a robust protection plan.

¶ 09 On Oluvil Harbour: built with good intent by the late Leader Ashraff when he was Minister, it is now of little use and even harming ordinary people in nearby areas like Nintavur, Kalmunai, and Thirukkovil. When reconfiguring the harbour, prioritize the many IMUL-class multi-day boat owners in Sainthamaruthu, Kattankudy, Koralaipattu, Kalmunai, and Valachchenai, who now must berth and sell only at Valachchenai, receiving poor prices. Redesign the harbour so both Valachchenai and Kalmunai fishermen benefit, with facilities to berth and sell locally.

¶ 10 IMUL vessels generate significant national revenue, yet successive Budgets have offered no targeted welfare or modernization support for these fleets, heavily used by Muslims and Tamils. Engage with them and provide subsidized modernization equipment.

¶ 11 On Kalpitiya/Chilaw: a 2019 Gazette temporarily banned night diving for three years. NARA has now reported the ban can be lifted after the period, but the Gazette has not been revoked. Local divers are penalized while outsiders dive—two sets of rules. Please act to resolve this disparity. Thank you.