The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to speak on the Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill.

¶ 02 I welcome the Government’s steps including adjustments to tax exemptions within Port City. Turning what was effectively a “foreign enclave” into a domain where Sri Lanka can also derive revenue is positive, because previously Port City income was effectively not accruing to us.

¶ 03 Hon. Deputy Speaker, I understand a new CT scanner has been secured for a Health Ministry facility following the Hon. Minister’s visit to Mannar. Earlier, when the Hon. Minister visited, he undertook to provide a CT scanner to the Mannar District General Hospital. If the latest announcement is genuine, I note that Mannar Hospital was not named. I have repeatedly raised the dire condition of this hospital; Members from the Vanni District know it well. Government Members have also urged this. I request that a CT scanner be provided to the Mannar District General Hospital without delay; currently it is being treated almost like a rural facility, which even the President and Government know must be upgraded.

¶ 04 Yesterday the Government appointed a committee to study and report on the electoral system under which Provincial Council Elections should be held. Every government appoints such committees to deflect issues; these bodies often take a long time to report. We therefore fear this as a tactic to delay the Provincial Council Elections. Ministers and the Government repeatedly said the elections would be held. Is this new committee a device to postpone? The Government should conduct the elections immediately under the existing system, and only then consider any reforms. Do not use delaying tactics. People expect these elections to be held.

¶ 05 At the recent district development committee meeting attended by the President, he issued several immediate directives. Yesterday, due to low pressure and high winds, the Government advised fishermen in Mannar not to go to sea. Whenever natural disasters occur, fishermen are told not to go to sea; in such times, please ensure dry ration packs or relief are provided. When I requested this, the President directed that dry rations be given to fishermen unable to go to sea. However, there is a problem: while Divisional Secretariats distribute dry rations to flood-affected people, they are not providing them to the fishing community. This discrimination is unacceptable. Dry rations must be given to fishermen too, without any bias. I request the Hon. Minister to ensure this. Thank you.