Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth

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

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, Hon. Minister of Education, the current education reforms are welcome, and administrative reform is essential too. Before that, a separate Zonal Education Office should be established for Pottuvil. Sri Lanka has about 100 education zones. This is a longstanding, just demand of the people, students, and teachers of Pottuvil for two decades.

¶ 03 Previously, Pottuvil, Kinniya, and Komarankadawala AGA divisions managed funds. In 2008, Kinniya and Komarankadawala were upgraded to zones, but Pottuvil was not, losing its financial authority and remaining disadvantaged.

¶ 04 Education should foster national unity, but in Pottuvil schools have been divided by ethnicity: Muslim schools put under Akkaraipattu Zone; Tamil schools under Thirukkovil Zone; Sinhala schools under Ampara Zone—even when they are within one kilometer of each other. Why three zones for schools within the same local secretariat boundary? If all Muslim, Tamil, and Sinhala schools within the Pottuvil D.S. area were grouped geographically, a separate Pottuvil Zonal Education Office would benefit all three communities and reverse ethnic-religious fragmentation. I appeal to the Minister of Education to consider this just request and create a separate zone for Pottuvil.

¶ 05 Since 2008, many other zones have been created while Pottuvil’s request remains unfulfilled. Sinhala schools in Pottuvil must travel 70 km to Ampara Zone; Muslim schools 45 km to Akkaraipattu; Tamil schools 35 km to Thirukkovil for services. A Pottuvil Zone would provide closer guidance and supervision; current distances harm students’ educational outcomes. Please consider the merits rather than dismissing the request citing “low number of schools.” If established, existing physical and human resources in the area can support it. I have not asked for a new building; only for zoning to achieve educational revival, meet a long-standing just demand, and foster integrated learning for all communities.

¶ 06 I also thank, on behalf of the people, Pottuvil intellectuals and community leaders (names read into the record) and those supporting reconstruction of Rahmaniyya Mosque in Pottuvil (names read). In the Aalayadivembu D.S. Division, Panankadu Hospital faces severe staffing shortages due to unapproved recruitments; the Government should urgently staff it. I thank donors who gifted land for the Pottuvil Base Hospital’s Chinese-funded building (names read).

¶ 07 Regarding the QR fuel system, farmers’ machinery receives only 30 liters of diesel per week—barely enough to till one acre; about 75 liters per day are needed in coastal areas including Pottuvil due to sandy soils. Please increase allocations and expedite imports of pesticides and fertilizer to raise production.

¶ 08 In Pottuvil D.S. Division, at Komari 60th Post, about 75 families’ farmlands lay fallow due to war; each year they must seek Forest Department consent to cultivate. Please discuss at D.S. level and allow upland cultivation. I thank local council members who assisted (names read).

¶ 09 Village Officers were promised 20 liters of petrol per month; not implemented. In 2019, they applied for Grade II appointments but were appointed in Grade III, causing pay anomalies. Provide motorcycles and restore the path for promotions to SLAS exams based on service; urgently fill vacancies.

¶ 10 Time is over, but briefly: in Navithanveli D.S. Division, a ground site has been encroached—identify, reclaim, and provide a sports ground. For tourism, develop a beach volleyball court and entertainment park at suitable state land near the Hithayapuram Chairman Children’s Park. Complete Ullai Sinhala Vidyalaya ground so students can compete locally.

¶ 11 Thank you.