The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, I first convey my heartfelt thanks to the people of Mullaitivu, Mannar and Vavuniya who voted for me.

¶ 02 The recent disaster caused severe destruction across the country, especially in the North and East, notably in Mullaitivu, Mannar and Vavuniya. Continuous heavy rain, strong winds and rough seas inundated thousands of homes, caused loss of life, submerged many acres of paddy, and swept away livestock. Farmers, livestock rearers and fisherfolk have been badly affected and are in great distress. I request that relief be provided to them according to official statistics.

¶ 03 The Hon. Deputy Minister of Cooperative Development, Upali Samarasinghe, convened meetings at relevant district secretariats, assessed the damage, and Vanni district MPs participated. Officials worked tirelessly during the emergency and deserve appreciation.

¶ 04 I also wish to raise the urgent issue of the Vattuvakal Bridge in Mullivaikkal East GN Division, Mullaitivu. Built around the 1950s, the bridge has suffered severe damage, especially during the final phase of the 2009 war. There are no protective side stones; during monsoons the bridge submerges, making travel perilous. About 40,000 people use this 440-metre bridge. Mullaitivu has suffered repeated disasters; had such a bridge existed in the South, it would likely have been replaced by now. This bridge is suffering alongside its people.

¶ 05 Deputy Minister Upali Samarasinghe, Hon. Jegatheeswaran, Hon. Thilakanathan, Dr. Sathiyalingam, Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen and Hon. Kader Masthan have all visited and supported calls for repairs. Ask the officials and Vanni MPs—they will attest to its necessity. Hon. President, Hon. Prime Minister, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Government and Opposition Members—please support this. Include a project in the next Budget to build a new bridge. Thank you.