The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, today three regulations and two resolutions are before the House. On the Regulations under the Immigrants and Emigrants Act: while these aim to facilitate lawful travel and residence and strengthen national security, true national security also rests on political and economic stability.

¶ 02 Politically, the prolonged non-fulfilment of the minorities’ long-standing political aspirations threatens national security. Though we hoped this Government would address them, after one and a half years that confidence is waning.

¶ 03 Economically, even 16 years after the war, the North and East — which bore the brunt — remain in dire economic condition. To ensure economic security, we need jobs; for jobs, we need investors; for investors, we need a streamlined system. Today, investors spend 2–3 years chasing land and approvals and then take their funds elsewhere. Create a clear, efficient process. Ensure efficient transport for inputs and outputs.

¶ 04 I repeat: India granted about US$ 65 million to develop the Kankesanthurai (KKS) harbour — a grant, not a loan — yet it remains unutilized and delayed. Developing KKS is crucial to attract industry and spur northern economic revival. The Government must expedite this, utilizing roughly Rs. 22 billion equivalent.

¶ 05 Energy is also vital. The trilateral (Sri Lanka–India–UAE/UK referenced) arrangements to develop Trincomalee oil tanks for large-scale storage have seen no meaningful progress even after over a year of agreement. Political and economic stability is your responsibility; the people voted expecting that.

¶ 06 On Emergency: those who gravely misused Emergency and PTA in the past to kill our people now speak about it here. We, as Tamil representatives, say again: this country does not need Emergency; we oppose it, and we are ready to vote against it.

¶ 07 On transport regulations: where a company or individual holds more than 20 percent of route permits on an inter-provincial route, what action will be taken? Please clarify. Also, hand over the Vavuniya bus stand managed by the National Transport Commission to the Northern Provincial transport authorities or Municipal Council so revenue stays in the Province and services improve. Thank you.