The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah

¶ 01 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

¶ 02 Madam Deputy Chairperson of Committees, during the Hon. President’s recent visit to the Eastern Province, various activities took place. In particular, for completing the cultural hall in Nintavur initiated by the late Al Haj M.H.M. Ashraff, founder leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, about Rs. 300 million has been allocated. On behalf of the SLMC and our people, we thank the Hon. President.

¶ 03 At that meeting, the President made certain remarks about the Oluvil harbour, stating that without proper feasibility studies and EIA reports, the harbour was constructed and is not usable today. We believe someone has misinformed the President.

¶ 04 The decision to establish the Oluvil harbour was taken in 1997. In 1999, Lanka Hydraulic Institute (LHI) was appointed to prepare project proposals and the feasibility study. Considering both the south-west and north-east monsoons, the study concluded the project was feasible. In the same year, the EIA report was obtained. The Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau (CECB) also carried out feasibility studies and reported that the project is feasible and economically viable on a long-term basis.

¶ 05 In 2000, at the request of our party leader, the late M.H.M. Ashraff, the Government of Denmark agreed to provide interest-free loans of EUR 43 million. Sadly, our leader passed away during this period; we pray for him.

¶ 06 In 2008, the Oluvil Harbour Project contract went to MT Højgaard. The Danish Government appointed COWI Consultant Denmark. The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) appointed its own technical consultant team. Thereafter, both the Governments of Sri Lanka and Denmark appointed NIRAS Port Consultant, experienced worldwide in port construction. Thus, five reputed institutions—LHI, CECB, COWI, the SLPA Technical Consultant Team, and NIRAS—studied feasibility and technical aspects. Construction proceeded according to their technical advice. Therefore, the claim that this was done without feasibility or EIA is incorrect.

¶ 07 Madam Deputy Chairperson, the SLPA should have maintained the Oluvil Harbour but did not. We are discussing the SLPA today. In Colombo Harbour there are two dredgers. Periodically, especially in both monsoon seasons, accumulated silt must be pumped to eroding areas. That is exactly what the Oluvil feasibility study provided—regular dredging and disposal. This is standard practice in international ports. The failure to maintain Oluvil through such operations, not a lack of feasibility, caused the issues seen there.

¶ 08 Please allow me a few more seconds, Madam.

¶ 09 Our late leader Ashraff rendered immense service to this country. By reducing the cut-off point from 12.5 per cent to five per cent, he enabled the entry of many, including those of the NPP/IVP stream today, and most of us Muslim MPs. He created a party giving Muslims a political address. Therefore, remarks made against him pain us. With that, I conclude. Thank you.