Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran

¶ 01 We view the 2026 Budget of the NPP Government as centred on IMF conditions with focus on stabilizing the economy, development, and investment. There are many positive elements, especially allocations for health.

¶ 02 Health receives 12.5 percent of total expenditure — Rs. 555 billion — with Rs. 31,000 million for base hospitals. The Thirukkovil Base Hospital needs additional funding for buildings and staff. Following our earlier requests — also to the Hon. President — the Hon. Minister visited the hospital and has allocated funds to construct a four-storey building. I thank him sincerely.

¶ 03 In Ampara District, base hospitals lack adequate staff and facilities, with Thirukkovil particularly neglected in the past. We trust this Government to complete the required works as assured by the Minister and the President, now reflected in the Budget.

¶ 04 On transport, substantial allocations are made, but numerous rural roads in Ampara need rehabilitation — e.g., the 23 km Alikambe road and roads in Thirukkovil and Navithanveli. I urge consideration and rehabilitation.

¶ 05 Irrigation receives Rs. 91,700 million, including restoration of 650 minor tanks, 350 km of canals, cascades and related improvements, with Rs. 8,350 million set aside. Ampara, producing 20 percent of national paddy, warrants integrated irrigation schemes — strengthening the right bank canal of Senanayake Samudra and tanks such as Periyakalappu, Kanjikudichcharu, Rufus, and Sagamam — which could raise Ampara’s paddy output by another 10 percent, enabling two seasons over 8,500 acres.

¶ 06 We raised this in the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Agriculture. The Hon. Minister agreed to consider it. A visiting Chinese Government delegation also indicated willingness to fund preliminaries. We thank them. This major development will substantially raise national paddy production.

¶ 07 However, only 6.1 percent is allocated for education. Developed countries invest 10–20 percent. There is no dedicated funding for new research, innovation, or research centres under the education allocation. Countries advance by investing in university research and innovation. We urge increased allocations for research, innovation, new technologies, and research centres.

¶ 08 This left-leaning Government has created a Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs. Yet there is no separate ministry for Hindu, Muslim, or Christian affairs. This appears one-sided and must be corrected.

¶ 09 Today marks Karthigai Veerargal Remembrance Day. It is also the remembrance of Rohana Wijeweera, a leftist leader killed by the State; many JVP comrades were also killed. I pay my respects. In the North and East, there are over 32 Maaveerar Thuyilum Illams. These sacred resting places must be recognized, the military removed from them, and control handed to the people for remembrance. If recognized and handed over, we do not ask for funds; the Tamil people will preserve them.

¶ 10 I conclude with that request. Thank you.