The Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, Hon. Members, New Year greetings to all of you and to our people.

¶ 02 I must raise the human–elephant conflict in our district. There are repeated incidents causing loss of life and property. There is a severe lack of elephant fencing and inadequate officers. I request the Hon. Minister responsible for the Department of Wildlife Conservation to take immediate action, establish the required stations—at least eight—and deploy adequate officers, as currently only about five officers are available across three stations. That will help prevent casualties and damage. Protests over this issue are increasing; you are aware of it.

¶ 03 Sir, I bring to the attention of the Hon. Minister of Health and Mass Media an issue regarding the Batticaloa Teaching Hospital. Resources are inadequate; we need MRI and CT scanners, a cath lab and brachytherapy facilities. We were disappointed in past years when the proposed cath lab and MRI did not arrive, but we now hear the ADB has agreed to supply them via the Ministry of Health. Please ensure these instruments are provided to Batticaloa Teaching Hospital in 2025. As a tertiary hospital serving the Eastern Province, it is essential.

¶ 04 Further, the large Kithul–Rugam Reservoir Project, connecting tanks, has been delayed for years. Properly implemented, it will enable extensive cultivation, provide water in droughts, mitigate floods and reduce post-disaster relief burdens. Though taken up through the French Government, it was paused after COVID-19 and remains delayed. I request the Hon. Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation to act swiftly.

¶ 05 In our district, large-scale paddy purchases are underway. Usually, second and third seasons are harvested nationwide, but this time harvesting will begin by the third week of this month. If the Government starts purchases early at the guaranteed price, it will give farmers confidence. If rice imports depress paddy prices, farmers will face heavy losses. Therefore, please commence Government purchases immediately.

¶ 06 Next, cleaning the Batticaloa Lagoon will beautify the city and boost tourism. We have information that inadequate waste management at the Batticaloa Prison leads to effluents entering the lagoon. Please clean the lagoon and establish a proper drainage system.

¶ 07 Sir, another matter for the Hon. Minister of Health and Mass Media: The Teaching Hospital, Batticaloa has limited land. If the Batticaloa Prison can be relocated in future, sufficient land would become available for hospital expansion per the Master Plan. Please consider this.

¶ 08 There is no Osusala in Batticaloa District. Though we heard one may be established, people have yet to benefit. Please provide a solution soon.

¶ 09 Also, the Eastern University, Batticaloa has no Faculty of Law—nor does the entire Eastern Region. I request the Hon. Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education to establish a Faculty of Law at the Eastern University.