The Hon. Presiding Member

¶ 01 There are seven Opposition Members to speak, Hon. Member. That is how the time has been allocated.

¶ 02 We will speak on the allocation later. Hon. Presiding Member, I second the adjournment motion moved by Hon. M.L.A.M. Hizbullah.

¶ 03 Today we hear that Cabinet has decided to appoint yet another delimitation committee. This is like the proverbial ghost climbing the drumstick tree—appointing committee after committee to drag matters. There was an Andrew Silva Commission; a Nanayakkara Commission; and then the Panambalana Commission. If this Government does not want to solve a problem, you appoint a committee or a commission. Is that the Government’s attitude?

¶ 04 Clear injustices persist. Some GN divisions not gazetted are being administered as if they are within different DS limits through ad hoc administrative measures—this is a serious injustice. That is why Hon. Hizbullah has brought this motion. Even when former Chief Minister Hon. Hafiz Nazeer Ahamed brought a similar adjournment motion on 30.11.2021, I raised the same issue. Instead of repeatedly appointing commissions, do what is necessary. If you base GN boundaries on ethnic ratios or land spread, it is wrong. They should be based on population and service needs. For instance, Koralaipattu South has 31,565 people; Koralaipattu North 27,681; Koralaipattu Central 35,126; and Koralaipattu West 28,360. Yet the land extents differ absurdly—South 620 square miles, North 589, Central 8, West 31. How can that be justified? People demand justice. Administrations create obstacles to properly implement even existing recommendations.

¶ 05 This Government again seeks to drag matters with another delimitation exercise. I strongly oppose this. Thank you.