The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah

¶ 01 Madam, I have been allotted six minutes.

¶ 02 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

¶ 03 First, I thank the Almighty Allah for enabling me to be elected again as a Member of this Tenth Parliament. I also sincerely thank the people of Batticaloa District who worked hard for my victory amidst many challenges, as well as the candidates who contested with me, the senior members and branch members of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, and all my brothers and supporters.

¶ 04 Today, the National People’s Power has formed a new Government with 159 seats. The people voted with the desire and enthusiasm for change in their lives. We are ready to extend our fullest cooperation to the good measures undertaken by this Government.

¶ 05 Last week’s floods severely affected the Batticaloa District. Paddy fields, houses, fishing craft and gear such as vallams and canoes were badly damaged, and people’s livelihoods were affected. The Government has begun action. The Hon. Deputy Minister visited Batticaloa and discussed immediate measures. One urgent gap is assistance for flood-affected families who temporarily stay with relatives and friends before moving to camps. Traditionally, no structured support exists for that interim period. I request the Ministry to establish a programme to provide cooked food and essential aid to such families during those initial days. I thank Hon. Bimal Ratnayake for engaging and helping expedite solutions on the flood response.

¶ 06 We also need urgent support to clear and rehabilitate canals and drainage to prevent recurring floods. Please provide the necessary equipment and assistance as early as possible.

¶ 07 The Hon. President, in his Address to Parliament, clearly presented the Government’s plans to advance this country. We welcome that. Unlike earlier occasions when such promises were not implemented, we expect these plans to be carried through, and we stand ready to support their implementation for the national good.

¶ 08 Madam, I also wish to express wholehearted support for the Hon. President’s commitment to develop our IT industry and position Sri Lanka as a global contributor in technology and innovation. SLASSCOM, the Sri Lanka Association for Software and Service Companies, has proposed making IT and BTM the top export earner. They have submitted proposals to the President to boost foreign revenue.

¶ 09 Key SLASSCOM proposals include: - Vision 2030 targets: US$5 billion in export revenue, a 200,000-strong workforce, and 1,000 start-ups by 2030. - Skills and STEM education: Expand STEM in National Schools, improve access to higher education, leverage public-private partnerships, provide student bank loans on reasonable terms, and scholarships to increase demand for STEM courses. - Retraining: Reskill under-employed or unemployed graduates and A/L qualified youth for technology roles through PPP mechanisms. Annually, 7,000 STEM graduates could be readily transformed into billable resources in the ICT sector.

¶ 10 Madam, the goals of US$5 billion in exports, 200,000 jobs, and 1,000 start-ups by 2030 are within reach. I personally will promote this Vision 2030 to attract international investment, generate US$5 billion, and create 200,000 jobs, paving the way for a prosperous future. We are prepared to give our fullest support to realize the Hon. President’s vision.

¶ 11 Thank you, Madam.