The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, today’s debate includes the Foreign Exchange Act Orders and several other matters. Many have spoken. When the British left, history says Sri Lanka ranked third in Asia economically. We must reflect on where we stand now after 77 years of governance by our leaders. We speak of increasing exports and reducing imports, yet I recall a statistic: Japan’s productivity was about 60 percent while Sri Lanka’s was 1.6 percent. Japan rose from ashes of war to economic heights; where are we, having started as Asia’s third?

¶ 02 For 77 years, right-wing parties ruled; they must explain this decline. Now a left Government is in power and appears to be working to rebuild a fallen economy. The “Clean Sri Lanka” programme is a good step. But I must point to a recent incident. A woman who went to lodge a complaint at the Periya Neelavanai Police Station, between Ampara and Batticaloa, was allegedly locked in a room and brutally assaulted—visible injuries are reported, and she is now hospitalized. While we talk of “Clean Sri Lanka,” such abuses must be addressed. We are a nation that should respect women. The woman says she went to complain about a man who harassed her on the street; instead she was assaulted at the station. Many have complained to us. I trust the authorities will take action against the officers involved.

¶ 03 On health: in 2017, Field Mosquito Control Assistants were appointed. Eight years have passed; five different Health Ministers have served—Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, Pavithra Devi Wanniarachchi, Keheliya Rambukwella, Ramesh Pathirana, and now the Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa. These workers, appointed to combat mosquitoes and protect health, still receive only Rs. 22,000 per month and remain on temporary status. They were once promised inclusion in a 100,000-jobs scheme by then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, but it did not happen. They are frustrated and desperate. I request the current Minister to resolve this during his tenure.

¶ 04 Similarly, many have served as temporary staff in the Road Development Authority for eight years without permanency. Please address that too.

¶ 05 Recently, interviews were held for paramedical posts—MLTs, physiotherapists, pharmacists, etc. They await appointments. In districts like Batticaloa there is a severe shortage in these services; I place that on record.

¶ 06 Finally, on issues faced by the visually impaired—even in this Parliament we have a Member representing them, which is a matter of pride and we appreciate him.