The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir

¶ 01 Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim.

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, thank you for the opportunity to speak on the Expenditure Heads of the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, and the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources.

¶ 03 Every year during Holy Ramadan, the Muslim community faces some ordeal: the “Grease Yaka” incidents, the Easter attacks, COVID‑19, fuel shortages, the economic crisis. We hoped such patterns would not repeat under this Government. Yet now, citing “Islamic extremists,” actions are afoot in Kalmunai that provoke and target us. Let me state clearly: the Muslim community has always cooperated to bring to justice anyone acting against the sovereignty of this country, and will continue to do so. Do not point fingers at the entire Muslim community or at Kalmunai collectively.

¶ 04 On economic empowerment: the previous Government established 500 “Saubhagya” production villages. What funding has this Government allocated to sustain them? Regarding Samurdhi beneficiaries’ savings through banks—many savers were excluded from Aswesuma. What happens to their savings? What plans exist to return those funds? While a window has been opened for excluded persons to reapply, there is little opportunity for selection via Divisional Secretaries, Samurdhi or Grama Niladhari officers. I request enabling Divisional Secretariat‑based selection to ensure fairness.

¶ 05 Despite being an island, we import seafood. We must harness our own marine resources better. Many spoke on Oluvil Harbour. The late M.H.M. Ashraff advanced it for national economic development—not solely for Muslims—but successive Governments neglected it. Its channel keeps silting; meanwhile we read that Hambantota Harbour is being dredged. Why not dredge Oluvil and develop it?

¶ 06 Additionally, establish an ice factory in Sainthamaruthu or Kalmunai for our fishermen. The deep‑sea telecom tower in Kalmunai/Sainthamaruthu has been non‑operational for 3–4 years; please restore it. The Danish geotechnical study showed Oluvil can be made operational; act on it.

¶ 07 On inland fisheries: our region has many tanks—Koonawatte in Akkaraipattu, Velavall Odai in Nintavur, Oorani in Pottuvil, Villukulam in Irakkamam. Allocate more funds and develop inland fisheries as well. Thank you.