The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran

¶ 01 [12.02 p.m.]

¶ 02 Hon. Deputy Speaker, today we debate key matters including the Resolution under the Public Security Ordinance and Regulations under the Army Act. A major strike by the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) is taking place today, gravely affecting the public, especially the poor. This action plays with people’s lives. Whatever their demands, they should obtain them through the Health Ministry without holding the public hostage. Patients are severely affected—monthly clinic visitors are turned away, and poor patients who travel long distances amid economic hardship and fuel scarcity return without care. We strongly condemn this conduct. The Government must address the issue and the Health Ministry should act; if needed, bring proposals to this House.

¶ 03 At the Batticaloa Teaching Hospital, the radiotherapy machine has been out of order since last month and remains unrepaired, denying cancer patients treatment. Patients cannot travel to Colombo or Kandy due to constraints. I humbly request the Hon. Minister of Health present in this House to immediately repair that radiotherapy machine.

¶ 04 There is a likelihood of future electricity tariff hikes by 53%. Why burden consumers further? This stems from poor administration and management at the CEB. Fix management instead of loading costs onto the people.

¶ 05 In Akkaraipattu–Ramakrishna Mission College, though facilities are poor, the school achieved excellent A/L results, sending six students to Medicine and over 80 to other faculties including Engineering. Mr. Ramesh Desith secured 1st in the district in Biology and 42nd nationally, entering Medicine. Thirukkovil Educational Zone ranked third in the Eastern Province. This deserves appreciation.

¶ 06 While meeting people’s basic needs through essential services is the State’s duty, we cannot accept continuing the Emergency. Some in the present NPP Government who opposed emergency laws in the past now keep extending them—citing “Dithva” cyclone and even conflicts in Iran or Israel. We oppose the continuation of Emergency Law in Sri Lanka.