The Hon. M. S. Uthumalebbe

¶ 01 Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim.

¶ 02 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, peace be upon all of you. I thank Almighty Allah for granting me the opportunity to address this Tenth Parliament. I send blessings upon our Prophet (Sal). I thank my parents, family, teachers, and respected Ulema. I also thank the Leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, Hon. Rauff Hakeem, and the party’s High Council, Central Committee, and district committees for fielding me as a candidate for Digamadulla District.

¶ 03 Ampara District saw major changes in this election. I thank the people of Pottuvil, Akkaraipattu, Addalaichchenai, Palamunai, Oluvil, Ninthavur, Sainthamaruthu, Kalmunai, Maruthamunai, Narpittimunai, Navithanveli, Irakkamam, and Kudurippu who voted for me and sent me to Parliament. In Addalaichchenai, 92% voted for me. Through such support across Ampara, I stand here today. I pray for the chance to do good for the country and our people through this new Parliament.

¶ 04 Unexpected floods struck, with the North and East worst affected. We MPs were in an orientation workshop at the time. On behalf of the MPs, I requested that we adjourn for a day to go to the affected areas. The Speaker and Hon. Minister Bimal Rathnayake permitted us to go to the North and East to see the people, console them, and assist. I thank Hon. Rathnayake for that.

¶ 05 As an MP for Ampara, I note that the disaster caused immense damage. In our district, 46,706 families—about 169,000 people—were affected; 70 houses fully and 535 partially damaged. The Senanayake Samudraya can hold water up to 110 feet; during the rains it reached about 92 feet, with 330 mm rainfall recorded, causing district-wide flooding. In many villages water rose 5–6 feet, inundating homes. Bridges were damaged along the Akkaraipattu–Kalmunai road, including at Attappalam. About 85,000 acres of paddy were affected; officials have compiled the final assessment.

¶ 06 Ampara’s farmers contribute significantly to national paddy output. They were hit by severe floods in December 2023 and still have not received compensation. Despite hardship, they cultivated again. The proposed compensation—Rs. 40,000 per acre—is insufficient. In past times, governments spent public funds freely to win votes. Now, spend public funds to relieve those genuinely affected: flood bunds breached, silt filled fields, homes were inundated. Provide maximum relief possible.

¶ 07 A recent tragedy occurred involving a Qur’an madrasa in Ninthavur (established in 1981, producing Ulema). During the floods, the madrasa was submerged up to 5–6 feet. To evacuate students to their homes safely, the administrators arranged a private bus to take students via Palamunai, Addalaichchenai, Akkaraipattu, Oluvil up to Pottuvil. As Karaitivu approach was blocked, they shifted to a local authority tractor. The tractor overturned in floodwaters: eight students and two civilians died. In total, 17 people died in the recent floods nationwide; 11 were from Ampara. We have lost our children—a great misfortune.

¶ 08 Earlier that day at 2.45 p.m., a Karaitivu Pradeshiya Sabha tractor had also overturned but those aboard were rescued. Yet at 4.00 p.m. another tractor was used to move madrasa students and civilians—who permitted this unsafe transport? I thank the Ministers of Highways, Rural Development, Power and Energy, the State Minister of Irrigation, and the State Minister of Defence who visited and assessed the ground situation. But please investigate who authorized movement in hazardous conditions despite clear risk.

¶ 09 Rescue agencies were requested to act swiftly, but immediate rescue could not be effected. The next day, Navy, Police, Army, the District Secretary, Additional Secretaries, and Disaster Management officers fully supported recovery—we thank them. To date, nearly 50 people have drowned in the Karaitivu–Mavadippalli waterways. Why? Because there is no proper large bridge at Mavadippalli. The Highways Ministry carpeted the Matara–Karaitivu road but excluded this bridge from the project. Please include it now to save lives. I raised this also at the Ampara District Development Committee.

¶ 10 On fisheries: the Minister and State Minister visited. In Pottuvil area, many boats with engines were washed out to sea; some engines are missing. Tamil fishermen in Thirukkovil and Thambiluvil were also affected. Across Kalmunai Tamil, Kalmunai Muslim, Sainthamaruthu, Karaitivu, Ninthavur, Addalaichchenai, Akkaraipattu, Alayadivembu, Thirukkovil, Pottuvil, Ulla, and Panama DS Divisions there are 66,101 fishermen. For three months they could not go to sea due to floods and have received no relief. I appeal to the Minister of Fisheries and the Minister for Disaster Management to provide assistance, and to assess and compensate the lost boats in Pottuvil, Thambiluvil, and Thirukkovil.

¶ 11 Finally, a major issue in Ampara: during last year’s floods, dry rations for 999 families in Akkaraipattu were procured from local traders on the promise of payment. Similarly, the Divisional Secretaries of Akkaraipattu, Addalaichchenai, Lahugala, and Pottuvil obtained Rs. 13.8 million worth of dry rations in advance from traders.