The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, Hon. Members, both new and experienced, may peace be upon you.

¶ 02 I extend my deep gratitude to the All Ceylon Makkal Congress, its leadership, and to the people of the Digamadulla District—Maruthamunai, Sainthamaruthu, Narpittimunai, Ninthavur, Oluvil, Palamunai, Addalaichenai, Akkaraipattu, Pottuvil, Irakkamam, Kudiwila, Varipathanchenai, Sammanthurai, Maligaikadu, Mavadippalli, Kalmunai, Vangamam—who, together with our supporters, activists, and nine fellow candidates, elected me to Parliament. I thank the Almighty for this opportunity.

¶ 03 On 26 November, six students from the Kashiful Uloom Arabic College in Ninthavur, proceeding on emergency leave towards Sammanthurai, tragically drowned at Mavadippalli during the floods. In total, eight people died there, including these six, who were huffaz memorizing the Holy Qur’an, sent by their parents for religious and social betterment.

¶ 04 At around 4.00 p.m., while we were in a special parliamentary session, we received news of the incident and immediately contacted the Navy to conduct rescue operations. However, Navy officials reached the area only after 7.00 p.m. Police and other officials were present at the site. The college principal had brought the students safely by bus and then, under the watch of security personnel, loaded them onto a cultivator vehicle to send them on. The vehicle overturned, and the students drowned. Despite pleas from those present, the officials stood by as spectators.

¶ 05 The Meteorology Department had warned days earlier of an impending natural disaster. What measures did the Divisional Secretaries, security forces, and relevant state officials take to prepare? We are not seeking punishment out of malice, but we do ask why basic safeguards were not in place.

¶ 06 Despite rehabilitation under the Matara–Karaitivu Road Development Project, the Mavadippalli bridge near Karaitivu has not been rehabilitated. In two coastal locations, protective bridges are urgently needed: the Mavadippalli bridge under the Karaitivu Divisional Secretariat’s purview (a Provincial Road Development Authority bridge) and the adjacent Kittangip bridge. Many lives have been lost due to the condition of these bridges and water flow obstructions. The Government must prioritize rehabilitating both, as they serve not only local residents but wider transport.

¶ 07 While the principal and teachers of the Arabic College are in custody, no action has been taken against others who ought to be accountable. The deceased students were aged 11, 12, 15, and 18. We saw the profound grief of Sammanthurai’s people that day. No consolation or facility can compensate for such loss. I urge the Government to grant appropriate compensation to the families of the six students and the other two deceased.

¶ 08 This Government has secured 159 seats—the people’s trust that you will eradicate corruption and chauvinism, stabilize the economy, and rebuild the country under the President’s good intentions. In implementing these programs, I humbly ask that Islamic religious affairs and other related activities be duly considered.

¶ 09 Regarding the previous Government’s “Aswesuma” welfare scheme—designed with political considerations—many deserving people were excluded for political reasons. These people, too, must be included.

¶ 10 All future national programs will require the cooperation of Members of this House, and we must uphold the President’s vision of corruption‑free governance. Our leader, Rishad Bathiudeen, has highlighted that in over 180 police stations, OICs were appointed for political reasons by ministers with higher authority. The people granted this Government a vast mandate mindful of such past abuses. Why then has no action been taken against such politicized appointments? If we are to re‑establish civil administration, these matters must be addressed. Thank you for the time.