The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, during this important debate on the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, I wish to briefly bring a few Batticaloa-related issues to the Minister’s attention.

¶ 02 In Urukaamam–Thumpalai Cholai (Kithul area) of Batticaloa, a fishermen’s society operates without any fishery harbour at Urukaamam. Fishermen must travel 2.5 km through forest paths amid elephant threats to reach Urukaamam to fish. Establishing a harbour there has been a longstanding demand. The officer for inland fisheries in Batticaloa, Mr. Nelson, knows this well. Please act immediately and decide favourably.

¶ 03 Second, at Valachchenai–Valaichchenai in Valaichenai/Valachchenai–Valaichchenai area, particularly in Valaichchenai and Kalluvankerny, a person known as “Akhila,” younger brother of Pillaiyan, has fenced off an area used to park boats at Valaichchenai/Velivettithurai side in Valachchenai/Peathalai, preventing boat parking. At the District Development Committee, Chairman Hon. Arun Hemachandra said, “We cannot act unlawfully; we must follow the law.” Four months later, the problem persists. Please ensure the fishermen have proper space to berth their boats and justice is done.

¶ 04 Third, the road connecting Eravur and Kaluvankerny is vital for fishermen. Please repair the road and build a small bridge, as fuel stations and ice factories are in Punnaikkuda, essential also for Kaluvankerny fishers.

¶ 05 I would have preferred the Speaker to be in the Chair because yesterday he stated that even matters of national importance should be spoken to in the afternoon. But Ministers are not present then to reply; hence we raise them in the morning. A Speaker should protect all Members. When the Speaker errs, how can we raise a privilege issue against him? It is shameful. That is why I did not do it.

¶ 06 [Expunged on the order of the Chair.]

¶ 07 If the Speaker were here, it would be good. I did not come to Parliament with a coconut branch or with violence. Do not assassinate our character from that Chair. The Speaker has a responsibility to protect Members’ dignity.

¶ 08 [Expunged on the order of the Chair.]

¶ 09 As the third citizen of the country, he carries a great responsibility to run this House properly.

¶ 10 This is a matter of national importance. Since the State Minister of Defence is here, I ask: two days before the court order to arrest Deshbandu Tennakoon, there was a meeting at the business centre of a former powerful Minister of the previous regime. Those who attended included the former Director of Military Intelligence, and former CCD ASP Neville. Pillayan was invited; since he could not attend, he sent his aide Iniyabharathi, who stayed at the Hilton Colombo. A person called “Suda” brought his vehicle. A discussion by the former Minister’s staff took place. What conspiracy was this? Do you know about it? This is a serious matter. Iniyabharathi has been involved in many murders in the past; much information exists about Pillayan as well. You say national security is ensured, yet the girl involved in the Ganemulla Sanjeewa attack has not been found, nor former IGP Deshbandu Tennakoon. Can you take responsibility? Military intelligence participating in such a meeting suggests a plot. Such matters should be allowed to be raised in the morning.