The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Minister. Opening that liquor shop will seriously harm local residents economically and affect students. Therefore, please use the President’s authority and take legal steps to halt it. You say the license cannot be easily cancelled as it was lawfully issued. But the people gave you 159 MPs precisely to rectify the past administration’s wrongs. Therefore, you must do your utmost to remove such liquor shops in residential areas.

¶ 02 Hon. Minister, you asked to meet privately; I will do so. If you clarify the administrative and social steps to remove that outlet, I will, with the people, take necessary action. In the last General Election, our people gave your party additional votes, but today they are disappointed. Please consider this and stop the reopening.

¶ 03 Next, in Aalaiyadivembu, the Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society (MPCS) owns two plots and two buildings of about 10,040 sq. ft. In 2020, the Sri Lanka Army forcibly took over these without approval of the Board or General Assembly. Since 1969, the MPCS maintained these properties, investing hundreds of thousands of rupees by resolution. In 1991, they installed machinery for paddy cleaning and purchase. The forceful takeover without the equipment is deeply concerning. These are public properties—funded by members’ subscriptions—for the cooperative. With proper approvals of Government Agents, Divisional Secretaries and the Cooperative Development Commissioner, they purchased paddy and distributed rice at controlled prices. Yet, in 2023, the Army forcibly took them.

¶ 04 Sir, please give me one more minute. In 2010, Army Headquarters instructed that the property be returned to the Cooperative; the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence issued that directive; even the Area Commander returned the property to the Cooperative. Yet in 2023 it was again taken over. The MPCS had spent lakhs to establish the facility; over 50 people had employment there—now all lost. Please consider this and ensure the property is returned, protect farmers and paddy, and restore employment. I conclude with that request.