The Hon. B. Ariyawansha

¶ 01 [12.00 noon]

¶ 02 Hon. Deputy Speaker, I second the Private Member’s Motion moved by Hon. Hesha Withanage, and note its importance. I also represent Ratnapura District. As stated, in areas such as Kolonna, Rakwana, Balangoda, Ratnapura, Nivithigala and Kalawana, large numbers of Tamil estate community members live.

¶ 03 The estate roads are in a deplorable state. People live 3–5 km inside from main roads. It can take half an hour or an hour to bring a patient out, and even three-wheelers cannot travel on these roads. There is no authority responsible for maintaining these roads. Smallholders cultivating tea, rubber, pepper, cinnamon, coffee, fruits and vegetables also use these roads, and the lack of development hurts local and export-oriented economies. Therefore, vesting these estate roads in Government and developing them via Provincial Councils and local authorities is appropriate.

¶ 04 These are very poor communities. Line rooms are dilapidated; there is no road access; and no government has brought real development there so far. I am glad this Motion has been brought. With the recent appointment of Hon. S. Pradeep Sundaralingam as Deputy Minister of Irrigation and Community Infrastructure, we hope development will be undertaken, and that a programme will be prepared to develop basic infrastructure. I reaffirm support for the Motion. Thank you.

¶ 05 Question proposed.