The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir

¶ 01 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, the Opposition has brought an Adjournment Motion alleging fraud in the coal procurement tender. In these debates, the most commonly used word is “lie.” When we speak about people’s needs and shortcomings, neither Ministers nor the Government’s administrators, nor even we on the Opposition benches, truly listen to address solutions. Each side tries only to score points.

¶ 03 We, from minority communities, come here to voice our people’s issues and secure solutions. Do not club us together simply because we sit in Opposition. We came as new MPs believing we could deliver through this Government. You said you would not repeat the mistakes of past governments. We expected you would conduct yourselves so that no one could say “there was a fraudulent tender.” Instead, both sides bicker while our local issues remain unresolved.

¶ 04 In Oluvil, a large fishery harbour and a commercial port were started. The fishery harbour functioned briefly; the commercial port was never operationalised. Due to coastal erosion and improper construction, the basin has silted up and is unusable. Either operationalise it or close it entirely and remove the protective groynes so people’s lands are saved. From Maruthamunai to Thirukkovil, coastal erosion has damaged villages; private coconut estates and paddy lands have been destroyed—around 250 acres lost—with no compensation paid despite assessments by the Ports Authority and the Ministry of Fisheries. The President promised to complete the harbour; either make it functional or compensate the people.

¶ 05 Recently, heavy erosion in Nintavur has destroyed many estates, especially in Attapallam. The well‑known Ismail Master lost four acres to the sea within two weeks—we saw it with our own eyes. We have raised this repeatedly with the Minister of Fisheries and with the Ports Authority; they say foreign firms will come, but nothing has happened.

¶ 06 Meanwhile, Ampara has had a week of heavy rains; farmers nearing harvest are suffering. Floodwaters from inland and the sea have devastated areas. I urge the Government to act and ask both Government and Opposition to use Parliament not for petty fights but to deliver to the people. Thank you.