The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Presiding Member.

¶ 02 I seek answers on two issues. First, many consumers and institutions have paid for service connections, but the CEB delays due to lack of equipment and spares. What immediate steps are being taken?

¶ 03 Second, with electricity bills now sent digitally, only smartphone users can easily view them. In rural Wanni, especially in Mullaitivu, many have basic phones and do not receive or understand digital bills; then after two or three months their supply is disconnected, and they suddenly face large arrears. Water bills still come on paper monthly; until digital literacy and access improve, please resume paper electricity bills in rural areas.

¶ 04 On the Mannar wind issue: the President asked for one month during our meeting. When the Minister visited, people emotionally explained how, after the first wind project, they suffered flooding, displacement, and losses. I believe the Minister, who engages directly with people, understood their distress. Later, the President and Cabinet decided that wind siting would not proceed within Mannar town limits; a Gazette has been issued to that effect. Trusting that assurance, the mass protest—lasting about 105 days—has been suspended.

¶ 05 Mannar’s sea and land are at similar elevations; locating large turbines in densely inhabited town perimeters will create multiple problems. Please refrain from siting wind farms within urban and peri-urban Mannar.

¶ 06 Instead, Mannar has vast barren lands—often categorized as forest department lands—that receive intense sun. The Government can utilize such tracts to develop utility-scale solar, rather than forcing wind into town areas. This aligns with both public preference and good planning.

¶ 07 Frequent outages in Mannar damage appliances like refrigerators and TVs; salt deposition on distribution lines is a recurring technical cause. Please address this with suitable materials and maintenance.

¶ 08 Connection fees around Rs. 40,000 are unaffordable to many poor households. Provide installment plans or a targeted subsidy so they can progressively pay and receive connections.

¶ 09 Finally, some criticize clergy for engaging on civic issues like the wind farm. I reject that. Religious leaders have historically guided and protected communities—often at great personal cost. They have the right and duty to defend people’s legitimate interests. I pay tribute to those who have sacrificed in that service. Thank you.