The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, I am pleased to speak in the first Session of the Tenth Parliament. I thank the people of Nuwara Eliya District who voted for me. I also thank them for the opportunities they have given me over the years — as Chairman of Nuwara Eliya Pradeshiya Sabha in 1991; Provincial Minister in 1999, 2004, and 2009; and as a Member of Parliament in 2010, 2015, 2020, and now 2024.

¶ 02 We welcome the new culture of this Government — especially the commitment to a country free of racism. The recent elections showed that in Nuwara Eliya, Tamil voters supported Sinhala candidates and vice versa, and similarly in Matara, Ratnapura, Badulla, and elsewhere. If this trend continues, it bodes well for resolving the national question.

¶ 03 Recently, Mr. Dilith Jayaweera spoke about amending the 13th Amendment. I read his interview fully. He noted that in framing a new Constitution, elements of the 13th could be adopted to provide solutions to the problems of the North and East. That is welcome. At the same time, the new Constitution must also address the long-standing problems of the Up-Country Tamil community, so that Sinhalese, Tamils, and Muslims can live as equals without animosity. If the NPP Government works in that direction, we will support it. In considering changes to the 13th Amendment, we must also act prudently regarding India — given geography, we cannot afford hostility to, or overreliance on, India.

¶ 04 After Independence, Sri Lanka once ranked third in Asia in economic performance, behind Japan and Malaysia. Today, our economy has declined. Governments have had to leave early due to economic failures — as with Mr. Gotabaya. You now have the opportunity; use it well. Countries that implemented IMF prescriptions for two consecutive years faced public backlash. In Greece, ten successive governments fell trying to implement IMF recommendations. If you can satisfy the people while implementing necessary measures, you may last the full five years; if not, perhaps only two or three.

¶ 05 Disasters have recently struck Ampara, Batticaloa, and also Nuwara Eliya — particularly in Kandapola and Ragala. As a farmer, I too have been badly affected. Compensation must reach all affected farmers, including those in Nuwara Eliya; the Hon. Chandraseker knows our conditions well.

¶ 06 Some estate houses have collapsed, and families have been relocated to temporary “line rooms.” Please remove those line barracks and provide proper housing.

¶ 07 During the presidential campaign on 15 September in Nuwara Eliya, the President gave a very good speech; we welcome it, and we hope it will be fulfilled in action. The Prime Minister is present and knows the sufferings of the people of the Hills. Please look into these matters and help them.

¶ 08 One more matter: the previous Government obtained Cabinet approval to recruit 2,500 graduate teacher assistants, but a court case has halted the process. There is a shortage of teachers in many Up-Country schools. I request the Prime Minister to resolve the legal issues and proceed with recruiting these 2,500 teacher assistants. Thank you.