The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth

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

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, today an abnormal situation has arisen nationwide due to rains. I extend my deepest condolences to the families of all who have died due to this disaster. In particular, in Sainthamaruthu Division of Ampara District, Saburdeen, Tasmi, and Asala Mehvil have died. May the Almighty grant them the highest Paradise. I, our party leader Alhaj Rauff Hakeem, and other Members of Parliament pray for them.

¶ 03 In Pottuvil, Akkaraipattu Road, Panam Road, and Lagugal Road are overflowing with floodwater. The 1907 bund-bridge is on the verge of breach. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the youth, local members, Divisional Secretary, Assistant Irrigation Engineer, and the military personnel working hard to protect the area.

¶ 04 Hon. Presiding Member, across many DS Divisions in Ampara, tens of thousands of acres of farmlands were not cultivated due to the 1990 war. In 2006 and 2009, by Gazette, the Forest Department and Department of Wildlife Conservation declared many such lands as forest or scrub forest. Despite years of effort, they were not released. The previous Government appointed district-level committees to recommend land releases. Under the Ampara District Secretary’s chairmanship, the committee recommended releasing lands in Pottuvil and Lagugal DS Divisions as follows:

¶ 05 - Kachchakodi: 23.25 ha - Aamavattu Vaan: 26 ha - Paichchal Eri area: 69.30 ha - Thangappillai Kanathai: 0.3 ha - North Division: 4.38 ha - Palliadiyan Road: 14.5 ha - North Division (additional): 8.99 ha - Tharampalai: 275 ha - Rottai Kulam: 327 ha - Semmani Kulam: 8.49 ha - Selvaveli: 7.68 ha - Selvaveli sector: 22.2 ha - Thukkollavai: 32 ha - Kummaveli: 3.36 ha - Vekamam: 186 ha

¶ 06 In addition, Selva Veli North, Palliadi Vattai 80 acres, Sengamam, Sarvodaya Puram, and Hijra Nagar. I request the Government to obtain the new committee’s report expeditiously, review these recommendations at Divisional, District, and Provincial levels, and take steps to release the lands.

¶ 07 Hon. Presiding Member, in Palliadi Vattai, 180 acres of paddy were cultivated until 2016. In 2009, it was gazetted as scrub forest, and cases were filed against 17 of the 69 farmers. I request the Government to review these cultivated lands and release at least 80 acres so cultivation can continue.

¶ 08 Hon. Presiding Member, until irrigation from the Heda Oya scheme is provided, the Government should expand the Radella tank. Expanding Radella tank will enable cultivation in an additional 4,000 acres. Further, the Radella anicut and Udakavai bund have been damaged by floods; the Government must rehabilitate them. Kinniyady and Kundhanodai anicuts have also been breached due to flooding.

¶ 09 Immediate repairs are needed for Sirtiya Road, Maruthayadi Road, Kundanodai Road, Palliadiyan Road, Jamanthurai Road, Selvaveli Road, Poththana Road, Tharampola Road, and Radella Road. On behalf of farmers, I thank Musthafa, Riyan Zubair, Aareefeen, Siddiqq, and Muhideen Bawa.

¶ 10 The Pottuvil Central Irrigation Office runs seven schemes. Major irrigation covers 12,741 acres, and minor schemes 7,095 acres. They need seven Engineering Assistants and two draftsmen, and lack heavy machinery. Hon. Minister, in the interest of Pottuvil farmers, please provide machinery and appoint the required staff urgently. I extend heartfelt thanks to Irrigation Engineer A.L. Niyas and his team working amidst multiple constraints.

¶ 11 In Irakkamam DS Division, I request consideration to allocate sugarcane lands and other non-essential lands for paddy cultivation. Due to low wages for high effort, staff shortages, and delays in obtaining inputs, farmers are turning to paddy. Because sugarcane returns are low, this request is made.

¶ 12 I request that the land occupied by Pottuvil Base Hospital (MPCS land) be acquired by providing an alternative suitable State land, in order to develop the base hospital. Further, please secure and allocate urgently the lands needed for the playground at Oorani, the ground needed for Komari M.M.R.M. Vidyalaya, and provide them in the interest of students. Please also identify and allocate State land urgently to establish a Technical College, an Open University Regional Centre, and a tourism stream of the South Eastern University in Pottuvil.

¶ 13 To resolve the ethnic tension between Akkaraipattu and Thirukovil communities, a joint committee should be appointed to resolve the Vattamadu land dispute, and the Government should act swiftly to implement it.

¶ 14 The Ampara District Labour Office at Kalmunai has been operating in a rented building for over 20 years, paying over Rs. 20,000 monthly. Please identify a State land and construct a permanent office building. I extend my gratitude to Acting District Labour Officer, Attorney-at-Law M. Sabaldeen, serving amid constraints.

¶ 15 In the Department of Animal Production and Health, District Deputy Directors are at Grade II, whereas other services have Grade I. Grade II officers face difficulties. In Ampara, Dr. Nausath Jamaldeen oversees 20 offices; while commending him, I request that necessary facilities be provided.

¶ 16 Grazing land issues are significant at district level. Over 12,000 head of cattle are in Pottuvil. Grazing grounds should be provided urgently. 1,200 acres have been identified in Iraan Kovil, Kummaveli, and Udakovil; please release and allocate them urgently.

¶ 17 Hon. Presiding Member, in Pottuvil DS Division, continue the issuance of land permits and regularize land titles for the people. Appoint a Land Officer to the Pottuvil Divisional Secretariat urgently. I extend thanks to Veterinary Surgeon Keerthana serving despite difficulties.

¶ 18 In Pottuvil Division, a bridge should be constructed at Irandaarukkappu, enabling around 400 landowners to ease transport and reduce wasteful expenses. Further, the bund of the Tri-junction tank must be reconstructed and the farmer organization strengthened; about 300 landowners will benefit. I extend thanks to Raheem, who is striving on this.

¶ 19 In Pottuvil, resettlement actions are underway for those displaced in 1990 from Kanagar GN Division due to war. Specifically, while action is being taken to provide land titles to 100 families, frivolous appeals are delaying the process.