The Hon. Hector Appuhamy

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, thank you for the opportunity.

¶ 02 On these Motor Traffic regulations, I suggest an addition: they must apply equally to “those in Government and those not in Government.” In practice, Police officers enforcing laws on drugged driving have ended up punished, while politically connected offenders escape. This must change; enforcement must be even-handed.

¶ 03 On disaster relief, yesterday I posed questions to the Hon. Prime Minister regarding support for MSMEs and large industries hit by the disaster—compensation and assistance to restart. The response was that the President’s Office would be consulted. This indicates the Government lacks a concrete programme to protect affected producers and businesses.

¶ 04 The President earlier announced Rs. 1 million per destroyed house (Rs. 500,000 to build, Rs. 500,000 for land) and Rs. 100,000 per roof sheet loss, but subsequent statements have scaled down to Rs. 500,000 or “manage on your own” and “wait.” Many lands are uninhabitable; resettlement sites are not identified; families remain in camps—e.g., in Karativu, Vanathavilluwa (Puttalam), water has receded but plans are unclear. If delays persist, even the Rs. 500,000 may not materialize. The Government must act decisively.

¶ 05 On education: the new curriculum modules and the Ministry website have caused serious concern. Uploading inappropriate content was not accidental; well-funded global actors operate such sites. Removing a page after it’s been publicized is meaningless—the damage is done. There appears to be internal manoeuvring to shift blame and positions.

¶ 06 Health and medicines: despite earlier NMRA issues, new concerns arise. The Medicine Evaluation Committee includes respected Prof. Rohini Fernandopulle, now 79; why persist with such aged appointments when capable professionals exist? The NMRA Chair opposed sending substandard drug inquiries to India earlier. Meanwhile, smuggling of medicines via baggage and coastal routes (e.g., Kalpitiya, Mannar) brings unregulated drugs to pharmacies. We believe NMRA accountability is implicated; the Minister must act against errant officials.

¶ 07 On consular services: Sri Lankans in Italy endure inordinate passport delays—six months to over a year—yet they contributed generously to disaster relief. The Government must fix these services urgently or face justified criticism. Thank you.