The Hon. (Ms.) Ambika Samivel

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, I am pleased to speak in the Committee Stage debate on the votes of the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Community Infrastructure Facilities.

¶ 02 Though there are many matters to raise for our Hill Country community, I will focus on a key issue: housing. Many Members today noted that under Indian assistance a housing scheme for Hill Country people is forthcoming.

¶ 03 Our people still live in old, congested, poorly ventilated line rooms, where multiple sub-families share units. These conditions drive many social problems: abuse, insecurity, lack of privacy, inadequate sanitation, and disruption of children’s education. I thank the Government of India for its concern and assistance, which continues.

¶ 04 I examined what was done by those who held this Ministry from 2016 to 2024. According to the financial statements of the Ministry (Water Supply, Estate Infrastructure Development) for the year ending 31 December 2023, Rs. 2 million was allocated for the administration and monitoring of the housing program in the 2023 Action Plan, but activities stalled and were delayed. Under agreements with the Plantation Human Development Trust (PHDT) and relevant unions, 62 housing projects commenced in 2016–2021 remained incomplete as at 31 December 2023. Yet Rs. 846.85 million was paid to contractors and Rs. 51.37 million for supervision and management. There are many such issues.

¶ 05 Yes, Indian-funded housing arrived, but many houses are incomplete and lack full facilities—roads and water are missing—and have not been handed over. In this Budget, the NPP government will, with Indian financial support, commence a 10,000-house program with full infrastructure, along with seven-perch land and title deeds. In the past, houses were politically distributed to relatives and party loyalists. Our government will prioritize victims of disasters and the most vulnerable.

¶ 06 This year, 6,000 houses are planned. Critics say the Opposition only talks. Tomorrow at 9.30 a.m. in Kabaragala, we will lay the foundation stones for 50 families who have lived as factory refugees for two years after landslides—doing what others did not. We are acting practically. Of the Indian-funded houses, 1,300 remain incomplete; the responsibility to complete them now rests on us, and these are included within the 6,000 target.

¶ 07 Under the “Clean Sri Lanka” program, our government will renovate 75 line-room clusters, benefiting over a thousand people. Until individual houses are provided, we have a duty as Hill Country representatives to ensure better living conditions.

¶ 08 Today, “Praja Shakthi” centres—meant to give vocational training to youth—are closed and not maintained. To change the trend of youth migrating to Colombo for work, Rs. 2,450 million has been allocated to equip youth with employable skills and raise livelihoods.

¶ 09 There is more to say, but due to time constraints I conclude. Thank you.