The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam

¶ 01 Hon. Chairman, defence allocations of every Government have been a real concern for our economy. We ended the war almost 16 years ago; why does the Defence Ministry still need such large sums? Are we still in insurgency mode? Year after year, defence allocations inflate while vulnerable communities suffer: underdeveloped schools, the elderly needing care, and war-affected people needing support. Instead of addressing these, successive governments keep increasing defence while giving far less to education, higher education and vocational training—even though Hon. Prime Minister (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya, before entering Parliament, advocated at least 6 per cent of GDP for education. Now in power, still education is nowhere near defence. Security sector reform is also on the table—not just taxation under IMF programmes. I urge that at least in the 2027 Budget, you reconsider excessive defence allocations and raise other critical sectors.

¶ 02 There are issues specific to the North and East as well. I previously raised, even during the 2025 Budget, certain Army camps in Batticaloa that should be released. Recently, in Murakkottanchenei, a school occupied by the military was fully released to the people. That promise was given to me at the Defence Ministry’s consultative committee; likewise, other camps were to be released. I thank the Government. But Government-side MPs, like our colleague Kandasaamy Prabu from Batticaloa, went to cut ribbons and celebrate on the day of release, as if they released it. Hon. Deputy Minister is here.

¶ 03 I state now, whether in the Budget or any other debate: I have not seen a single NPP MP speak for the release of Tamil people’s lands in the North and East. Even Hon. Minister Chandraseker is here; I have not heard him call for release of a single camp. The core is that people need their lands. I have repeatedly requested security assessments and releases—for Palayadi Vattai, Kayankeni, Kallady, Kurukkalmadam in Batticaloa—within this year. Other than the Batticaloa and Karaitivu camps, I have not seen other releases to owners. For example, under Valikamam North DS, about 2,500 acres of private land remain under military, covering three GN divisions—Palaly West, Palaly North-West and Myliddy South—entirely under military control. That whole DS area has an entire ward under control. This is one example; I have district-wise data but will save time.

¶ 04 Though you say you have released lands in the North, you have released only roads—Palaly–Myliddy Road—which you close after 7 p.m. Lands on either side remain under control. Likewise, about 400 metres of Vasavilan–Achchuveli Road is open. In Vasavilan, Vayavilan Sri Velupillai Vidyalayam had 20 Grade Five scholarship passes last year while studying in a temporary shed on the playground. You have no intention of releasing private lands; you just show roads to the international community, and close them at night.

¶ 05 There are many other Northern and Eastern issues. A short while ago, I heard the Leader of the House say there is only one hair salon run by the Army in the North. I have no hair; I do not go to those places. But those who do have told me there is more than one. I do not know where Hon. Gajan Ponnambalam gets his haircut, but this is not a joke. The Leader of the House also said there are only six cafeterias; there are more. Hon. Bimal Rathnayake is upset about the Trincomalee Vihara issue and has taken the Northern Province upon himself. Under the Rajapaksa administration there was a “BR” in charge of the North; under the AKD administration, there is also a “BR” in charge of the North.

¶ 06 He referred to Hon. Ilangkumar and Hon. Rajeevan, saying they cannot go to the North. Hon. Minister Chandrasekeran, the Northern people did not vote for you; you came on the National List from your party’s votes. There is an underlying issue.

¶ 07 Let me conclude with a Question raised by the late Hon. R. Sampanthan on 20 July 2005 under Standing Order 27(2): “Situation in the Trincomalee Town consequent to the installation of the Buddha statue.” He stated that on 16 May 2005, under cover of darkness, without permission, a Buddha statue was installed on State land belonging to the Trincomalee Urban Council. I table that statement.

¶ 08 The core issue is not a single Vihara; it is demographic engineering. Since 1800, the proportion of Tamils in Trincomalee has dwindled—from 81 per cent in 1827 to 32 per cent today—while the Sinhala population has gone from 1 per cent to 26 per cent, due to state-sponsored settlements. I conclude.