The Hon. Kanthasamy Prabu

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, as the MP for Batticaloa from the National People’s Power Government, I present proposals to boost our Gross National Product through that district.

¶ 02 Batticaloa is rich in natural resources. However, development and livelihood projects implemented by past rulers and officials were not sustainable or aligned with people’s needs. Public money was lost to fraud and waste without delivering the expected development.

¶ 03 Unregulated exploitation of natural resources and poorly planned projects have repeatedly harmed farmers, livestock breeders and fishers, pushing them to depend on subsidies and disaster relief. Border villages suffer escalating human-elephant conflict, property damage and loss of life. Illegal sand mining, deforestation, timber smuggling and heavy vehicles near forest edges drive elephants into villages. The Government should regulate such illegal activities and implement solar power generation and electric fencing in border areas to reduce conflict.

¶ 04 From Trincomalee to Arugam Bay, Batticaloa has beaches, tanks, rivers, lagoons, wildlife and bird sanctuaries that can anchor tourism. Upgrading Batticaloa Airport to international standards would attract tourists and investors. Seaplane services on Batticaloa Lagoon could also boost arrivals. Through technical colleges and vocational institutes, we can provide tourism-oriented skills and language training to create jobs for youth. Promoting clay products, bamboo, palmyrah and weaving crafts will attract local and foreign tourists. Establishing sales outlets in designated tourist zones will expand market access and income for entrepreneurs.

¶ 05 We can link indigenous medicine to tourism by establishing a fully equipped Ayurvedic hospital to attract foreign and local clients and earn foreign exchange. We will prioritize MSMEs, improve production and distribution of seafood, develop animal husbandry, and promote intercropping—grains, fruits and sugarcane—to contribute to export-oriented industries.

¶ 06 There are ample state fallow lands in Batticaloa. With proper approvals, alongside paddy cultivation we can encourage sugarcane, grains and fruits along canals and water bodies, creating jobs and income and significantly raising local production.

¶ 07 We should revive factories abandoned due to past unrest—paddy storage, coir and weaving—using modern technology to create jobs. We are initiating Sathosa and Osusala outlets so people can directly access essential goods and services at concessionary prices. We will improve the efficiency of departments and corporations linked to industry and export, expand coconut and cashew-based production, and provide modern technology to relevant sectors.

¶ 08 Batticaloa is a conflict-affected district; even 15 years after the war, people struggle for livelihoods. Past Governments only built roads and buildings in the name of investment, not factories or industrial zones. Youth continue to migrate. Family economic hardship fuels domestic violence. Women resort to microfinance loans with high interest, leaving them in distress.

¶ 09 Foreign investors were willing to invest but withdrew due to commissions sought by past Governments. However, our diaspora—trusting the country and particularly the National People’s Power Government—are ready to invest. Bringing them to invest in the North and East will create factories, industrial zones and jobs for youth.

¶ 10 I thank you for the opportunity to present these issues. Guided by the policies of the National People’s Power Government, I conclude, confident that our district will progress.