The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Minister. I note the Cabinet Spokesman, Nalinda Jayatissa, has indicated that minorities will be included—I welcome that.

¶ 02 On religious sites: where there are no Hindus, do not build kovils to provoke others; similarly, do not build churches where there are no Christians. In Batticaloa’s border villages Vadmunai and Uthuchchenai—no Sinhala Buddhists live there. From far-off Polonnaruwa, religious leaders are establishing a Buddhist worship site at Nediyakalmalai, causing local suspicion that harmony may again be undermined. This began during Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s time under Governor Anuradha Yahampath and continues. Reports say a 5 km road was built under RDA and plans to construct a vihara proceed, with Forest Department lands released, and Tamil farmlands subsumed. No Buddhists live there; I respect Buddhism and the Buddha’s teachings, but imposing a vihara in such a location risks conflict and perceived settlements.

¶ 03 Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan, your time is up.

¶ 04 Give me one more minute, Sir.

¶ 05 Additionally, the Forest Department has confiscated Tamil farmlands—this is partial and against reconciliation. When considering this Budget, we decided not to oppose outright because of certain good measures; yet, with no mention of resolving the national question and with high allocations for Defence in peacetime, we chose to abstain.

¶ 06 In the next Budget, please address a just solution to the national question. The President has scheduled a meeting with us; we will assess how you plan to achieve a solution and develop war-affected areas. After observing your approach over this first year, we will decide our next steps. After 76 years of misrule, in the 77th year let there be real change—avoid negative actions. I conclude.