The Hon. Naina Thambi Marrikkar Mohamed Thahir

¶ 01 Hon. Chairman, thank you for this opportunity. At a time when Sri Lankans are shaken by this disaster, we must act beyond party or ethnic lines to rescue our people. I express condolences to all who lost lives and suffered due to floods and landslides.

¶ 02 I extend my sincere gratitude to the National Leader of the All Ceylon Makkal Congress, former Minister and current MP Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen, for facilitating my appointment to this august House; to the Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the SJB, Hon. Sajith Premadasa; and to the SJB General Secretary, Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara. I thank the ACMC leadership and membership across the country, and former MP Ismail Muththu Mohamed for his support.

¶ 03 Representing ACMC, Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen toured the country to assist affected people; we joined him in the North, North-Central and in areas like Puttalam.

¶ 04 At village level, strong State machinery exists: Grama Niladharis, Samurdhi Officers, Development Officers. If they are empowered promptly, communication to the people and to Divisional Secretariats can minimize suffering.

¶ 05 Let us unite as a nation to assist victims and rebuild the country.

¶ 06 Regarding my political career: I first entered public life in 1991 as a member of the Kalpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha, later served as its Chairman in 1997, then as Opposition Leader in 2002. I served on the North Western Provincial Council representing Puttalam District during three terms (2004; 2009–2013; 2013–2018), working across communities thanks to the support of successive Chief Ministers. I thank the people of Puttalam District for the strong mandate for the SJB that enabled this opportunity. Throughout my career I have worked closely and honestly with Sinhala, Muslim and Hindu communities, and I remain grounded and accessible at village level.

¶ 07 Puttalam Education Zone is surrounded by difficult villages despite the town setting...