The Hon. K. Kader Masthan

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

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, I am pleased to speak on the VAT (Amendment) Bill brought to streamline VAT to strengthen the economy. The direct tax base on income earners must be broadened and the reliance on indirect taxes on the public reduced. People need more concessions and State assistance. Taxes on essential food items should be removed to enable a fair market system. A kilo of imported rice could be sold at Rs. 150-170, yet due to wrong tax impositions, even a poor daily wage earner is forced to pay Rs. 250. Taxes should be rationalized to benefit people while increasing national revenue. Also, the mechanisms for VAT refunds are plagued by malpractice — the Government must ensure this Amendment truly fixes those weaknesses.

¶ 03 Another issue: The Meelad School in Dehiwala sits on 23 perches with around 570 students, functioning like an open prison. Students come from as far as Panadura to Maradana, over 30 km. It is the only Muslim boys’ school in that belt. When we moved an adjournment motion here, the Government promised a permanent solution, yet months later children still study in shacks. For Grade 1, 62 applications came, but the Ministry writes letter after letter instructing the Principal to admit no more than 40. Police involvement has increased due to pressure. The low-income families in Dehiwala are asked to send children to a school in Narahenpita, 7 km away, with only four classrooms allocated. Is this the Government’s solution? A poor labourer in Dehiwala must spend an extra Rs. 5,000 monthly for transport to send a child to Primary School No. 4881 in Narahenpita. Why impose this burden? A Government that speaks of digitization and economic uplift must not victimize innocent students. State schools in Dehiwala can accommodate about 6,000 more students — why then permit measures that disadvantage Muslim children? The Hon. Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Training, Harini Amarasuriya, has often said Muslims should progress in education. Please take correct decisions regarding Meelad School and ensure these children’s education is advanced.

¶ 04 On the youth arrested under the PTA for an anti-Israel sticker: due to public pressure the Government stepped back and he is on bail, but not discharged. Israelis are worse than terrorists because they kill children; those who protest face repression. Some years back we visited Palestine with the now Hon. Speaker; while we returned on the designated day, the Hon. Speaker stayed on to learn first-hand. For an NPP Government with such people, to attempt to punish a 21-year-old under the PTA for a sticker on Palestine’s genocide is heartbreaking. The President pledged to eradicate corruption and punish the corrupt — I supported that policy and held great expectations. I believe wrong advice led to wrong decisions here. The President and his team earlier opposed the PTA when in Opposition. Minorities are the first affected by the PTA. You have said you will repeal the PTA; please act to abolish it.