The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, I am pleased to participate in today’s debate on regulations under the Motor Traffic Act.

¶ 02 While the Government’s programme aspires to a “drug-free nation,” we also want a transport system free of bribery and corruption. There are widespread allegations of bribery in the Traffic Police, though many officers do perform fairly; we do not disparage all Police. I wish to highlight some issues in Batticaloa District.

¶ 03 Regarding rail transport in Batticaloa, the service formerly known as “Paadum Meen” used Romanian-type rakes with 10 coaches seating about 600 passengers. The station earned nearly Rs. 1,000,000 per day through reservations (about Rs. 500,000), canteens, parcel services and postal services. After switching to powerset services, seating fell to about 350; daily reservation revenue fell to Rs. 250,000–300,000; overall station revenue dropped from about Rs. 1,000,000 to Rs. 200,000–300,000, operating at a loss.

¶ 04 People and station officials request either reinstating the Romanian set or augmenting the current powersets with first- and second-class sleepers to compensate.

¶ 05 Another issue: the Batticaloa–Colombo service is no longer direct; it diverts via Trincomalee with a change, discouraging passengers on a 350-seat train. Previously, the Colombo departure at 7.00 p.m. reached Batticaloa at 4.00–5.00 a.m., allowing officers to conduct business and return within 24 hours. Now, departing Colombo at 11.00 p.m., it arrives at 9.30 a.m., forcing passengers to waste two days. Restoring the old timetable would increase patronage and revenue.

¶ 06 We have raised this with the Transport Committee and by letters to the Department of Railways. I request the Hon. Minister and officials to adjust the timings.

¶ 07 On sports: though not directly linked to today’s debate, I bring this to the attention of the Hon. Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Hon. Sunil Kumar Kamage. Batticaloa has a Kabaddi Association. Mr. L. Danushan is a national and international player who has won medals for Sri Lanka in Pakistan, India, South Korea, China and elsewhere. However, for the recent tour to Malaysia, he was overlooked. Despite being second nationally, his performance was ignored at selection, and the Association was not properly notified, preventing other qualified players from attending. I request the Minister to look into this.

¶ 08 Finally, human–elephant conflict is severe in Batticaloa. The Department of Wildlife Conservation needs more offices, staff and funds there. In fisheries, both machine power and manpower are issues; when manpower is short, can small agricultural tractors be allowed to haul beach seines? I request the Minister of Fisheries to consider this. University appointments and Deans’ selections have also been raised by the teachers’ union; we bring this to the attention of the Hon. Prime Minister as Minister of Education.

¶ 09 Thank you.