The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva

¶ 01 As I mentioned, the number of residential constructions should be 87. Please look into that.

¶ 02 My second supplementary is more of a proposal than a question, Mr. Speaker. We often have to conduct resettlements. I draw the attention of the Hon. Prime Minister as a social scientist as well. We have the law to acquire land. That is legal. But beyond the law, the 2018 Government introduced a “Policy on Involuntary Resettlement.” We need to look beyond the law at the policy. We filed cases too. During Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s tenure as Secretary of the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development, people were moved into apartments. We have all seen eight-storey apartment buildings without lifts. Nothing can be done in such places, and this has dragged on.

¶ 03 Therefore, our proposal is to convert the National Policy on Involuntary Resettlement into law. At present, how this policy is applied varies depending on the source of funds. If it is ADB or the World Bank, then the policy is followed. But if it is AIIB or government funds, the policy is not applied. It is problematic that implementation depends on the donor or creditor. So let us all work together to legislate this policy. We will fully support it. Then, from a social protection perspective, we can ensure schooling for children, places of employment, and multi-ethnic coexistence in the new environments. Thank you, and I present this proposal to you and to the Prime Minister.