The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe

¶ 01 Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim.

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, today we debate regulations under the Motor Traffic Act connected to the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development—a key ministry for national development and public welfare. During the recent disaster, the Hon. Minister, the Deputy Minister, ministry officials, and RDA officers all played major roles in restoring transport; I thank them on behalf of our people.

¶ 03 I served twice as Provincial Minister for Road Development and Highways in the Eastern Provincial Council. On that basis, I urge continuation of good work.

¶ 04 First, a longstanding request: extend the railway from Batticaloa to Pottuvil. Hon. Minister, please initiate the planning during your tenure. When I first raised this here, you said even with five years of funds it would be difficult; I reminded you that under former Deputy Minister Mansoor, funds had been earmarked to start this project; you said you would take it on. I raise it at every meeting. You might be moved to another post, but as a senior member of government, I ask you now: the Eastern Province’s hope is to build the Batticaloa–Pottuvil rail.

¶ 05 I table a letter and proposal I submitted to the Ministerial Consultative Committee: the General Manager of Railways has stated that no proposal has yet been made to extend from Batticaloa to Pottuvil, and that if such is submitted, they will act upon it.

¶ 06 - Tabled. - Placed in the Library. - Placed in the Library.

¶ 07 We recently met the Ambassador of Iran, who said they could assist Sri Lanka in irrigation and transport. Please include this rail extension within foreign-funded projects. Pottuvil and the Ampara coast lack rail connectivity to Batticaloa despite social and economic advancement; many Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim communities would benefit. If you plan and secure external funding, we will help mobilize support, including from Muslim countries. If you deliver this in your tenure, you will earn lasting credit.

¶ 08 Second, you have already done much in Ampara. When I was Eastern Provincial Minister for Road Development, we upgraded the Dehiattakandiya–Kandy road for 33 km, largely serving Sinhala communities—our development is never sectarian. You saw that road; you then rehabilitated many rural bridges and roads. Please continue; Ampara has some of the most difficult rural roads.

¶ 09 In Sainthamaruthu, with a population of about 82,000, the previous government temporarily shifted the Sainthamaruthu sub-depot to Kalmunai. At a special meeting you attended, all MPs from the area—government and opposition—requested returning the sub-depot to Sainthamaruthu for local transport needs. You agreed, telling officials to return it since MPs were unanimous. Yet the letter has not issued; the sub-depot has not been returned. You are our only Transport Minister. We, as public representatives who support national work beyond party, request you to immediately restore the Sainthamaruthu sub-depot.

¶ 10 Finally, in 2013, as Eastern Provincial Minister, I went to open a road in Trincomalee’s Muttur Vedathitivu–Majidpuram, a mixed Tamil–Muslim village. The Navy then controlled entry citing security; after discussion, we restored the village—built about 115 houses, provided electricity, school facilities, and livelihoods. Still, crossing the river required a small boat. We procured a ferry; later RDA prepared estimates for a bridge, but the project was shelved. These are poor people; I do not contest presidential elections in Trincomalee; I make this request solely for their sake. Our late leader A.H.M. Ashraff said: if you dream, dream big. I ask you to revive the bridge project for Muttur Vedathitivu–Majidpuram and alleviate their hardship.

¶ 11 Thank you, Hon. Presiding Member.