The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth

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

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, many have demonstrated their talents in various fields in Ampara District. In the Pottuvil area, SSP Majeed in rugby, and A.L.M. Ashraff in short-distance running, have shown their prowess nationally, and even internationally. In our locality, over 40 sports clubs and 40 youth clubs have more than a thousand young men and women as members, and they have proven themselves at divisional, district, provincial, and national levels. However, we lack a standard sports ground there. Our athletes train and play on small, substandard grounds. In any one of the areas such as Wattiveli, Kalappukattu, or Sarvodaya Puram, a modern sports ground should be established urgently by the Hon. Minister. Existing grounds like Jalaluddin Square, Pasarichchenai, and Komari should also be completed properly.

¶ 03 Further, playgrounds should be provided for Uarani Saraswathi Vidyalayam, Komari Al-Aqsa Vidyalayam, Sengamam Al-Mina Vidyalayam, Munawwara Vidyalayam, Nooraniya Vidyalayam, Al-Ishraq Vidyalayam, and Al-Absaan Vidyalayam, and existing ones renovated. Also, a sports complex should be established in Pottuvil; this will enable significant progress in sports among local youth.

¶ 04 I also wish to note that M.A. Munseeb, a former student of Pottuvil Al-Bahriya Vidyalayam and of the National School, Pottuvil Central College, has been selected to Sri Lanka’s Under-20 National Football Team. I pray for his success and thank the coaches who trained him.

¶ 05 Given there are more than 40 youth clubs and over a thousand young men and women in Pottuvil, a Youth Vocational Training Centre should be established to benefit hundreds of youth. I extend thanks in this House to youth federation leaders Basheer Khan, Ilmudeen, Imthiyas, Nafras, Naufal, Musthakeem, YSO Farook, DYSO Kader, Tajahan, and others. By providing laptops, photocopiers, and projectors to the Sainthamaruthu Youth Training Centre, youths of the region can receive better training and secure employment.

¶ 06 We have repeatedly requested the appointment of a sports officer to the Pottuvil Divisional Secretariat. Without a permanent officer, athletes’ talents are being stifled. The Government should appoint a sports officer promptly.

¶ 07 Recently, mobile Ayurvedic health services have been conducted within Pottuvil division. In P16 and P17 divisions, with the support of Perul, Al-Raj, and Sanasa Community Centres, doctors M.H.F. Basmiya, A.M.M. Hamsath, M.M. Ameer Ali, and staff Mahboob, Ayoob Khan, Niyas, Vijayakumaran, Rahmathullah, Naufis, and Asmi participated. I wish to thank them in this House.

¶ 08 In Pottuvil, Al-Khaleej Ladies Arabic College and Al-Fatthah Jumma Mosque have been supported with land and buildings by the philanthropist Al-Haj A.L.M. Kasim Moulavi. On behalf of my people, I thank him. Likewise, for completing the major building works of Pottuvil Muneera Mosque with public contributions, I thank A.P. Uthumalebbe, Abdul Munaf, Haleem Ishaq, Sulaiman Lebbe, and others.

¶ 09 Hon. Presiding Member, harvesting has begun in coastal areas. The Paddy Marketing Board is purchasing paddy, but they buy only dried paddy. Due to recent continuous rains, farmers cannot dry paddy and sell at the guaranteed price; outside traders are buying wet paddy at very low prices and exploiting farmers. Therefore, the Government should purchase wet paddy at a guaranteed price in this situation to protect farmers from losses. Thousands of farmers in our district and province, including those in Pottuvil, are affected.

¶ 10 On 30.03.2024, the Eastern Provincial Public Service Commission held the Open Competitive Examination – Graduate Teachers SLTS-GR-III Provincial Schools – 2023 (2024). Thirty passed; interviews were held on 21.05.2024; however, they have not been appointed citing no vacancies. Graduates from 2017/2018 such as Pottuvil’s BSc IT/Management degree holders Fathima Ruztha and Nihma Banoo are affected as they near the age limit. I request prompt action through the Eastern Provincial Public Service Commission, and I am placing the related documents in the Library.

¶ 11 Hon. Presiding Member, the Pottuvil Divisional Secretariat bus depot, opened on 21.11.2001, provided transport to all three communities despite shortcomings. On 19.11.2023, about Rs. 60 million was allocated, and a contract was awarded to SDCC, but the work has been halted halfway. The following should be completed: boundary wall, yard, permanent building and fuel storage, appointment of five drivers and engineering staff, resolving staff shortages, and providing modern buses to operate long-distance services from the tourist area of Arugam Bay to places like Kandy and Ella.