The Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen

¶ 01 Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim.

¶ 02 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, we listened to the President’s speech on Clean Sri Lanka and to Members’ speeches yesterday and today. We observed some speeches were tinged with vengeance and blame. Yes, Sri Lanka must be cleaned across all sectors. Every person must cleanse themselves mentally. If all 225 Members make their positions honest and proper, then this country will truly become clean and its future bright. The people still do not have a clear understanding of this programme; the Government has a moral duty to clarify it. Even we MPs have not been properly briefed. Instead of discussing the programme, Members spend much time insulting each other and settling old scores.

¶ 03 It is because past Parliaments and Governments failed that the people chose this Government led by Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake with maximum support. Do not act like past rulers; with conscience, use this opportunity the people have given you. Otherwise, the country will again become bankrupt and fall despite our resources. You have a two-thirds majority—do what the people expect. Past rulers changed laws to suit themselves. You must bring the changes truly needed; the people have given you the chance.

¶ 04 For us, India is very important. However, regarding the President’s visit to India, we did not see road connectivity discussed. The previous Government discussed and agreed on a bridge between India and Sri Lanka. Has that been dropped? Or is this Government not agreeable? When we were in crisis, India gave us US$4 billion; otherwise we would have sunk deeper. Connecting Sri Lanka with a billion people offers economic opportunities, especially for tourism—from Indian tourists and those visiting India from around the world. Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are connected by bridges; another sea bridge is planned. France and the UK are connected. Similar projects could help our North and East, including my district, to develop through tourism. Please pay attention.

¶ 05 On housing: when Hon. Sajith Premadasa was Minister of Housing, many projects began but remain incomplete. Now we speak of Clean Sri Lanka; please visit those houses in Vavuniya, Mannar and Mullaitivu—people ask about their completion in DCB meetings. Do not repeat Gotabaya’s mistakes. Do the estimates and provide the additional funds to finish those houses.

¶ 06 Muslims expelled from Jaffna in 1990 are in very poor conditions where they resettled. MPs here have visited. The area lacks basic amenities; people cannot live properly. We with our own funds secured plots for them and discussed with TNA members and others. The previous Government allocated Rs. 800 million for land, but a new Presidential circular stopped it. Please release those funds and help their resettlement.

¶ 07 Puttalam Hospital is in a very bad, unclean state. With displaced people coming to Puttalam, needs increased. Under the Good Governance Government, through CECB we prepared a proposal and sought external funding, but the Government changed. Please develop it; we hear you will take 35 hospitals under Line Ministries—please include Puttalam.

¶ 08 In Vavuniya, garbage is being dumped in front of the Martyrs’ memorial. About 5,000 university students and nearby residents face danger. As a first Clean Sri Lanka action in Vavuniya, please build a protective barrier there or relocate the dumping site to ensure safety.

¶ 09 In Puttalam’s Mundal–Kalpitiya AGA Division, an officer named Nishantha as ADP 95 allegedly refused to spend funds in Muslim and Tamil villages, saying the MP had allocated only to those areas. Other divisions have spent; only this one has not, due to bias. Roads are now impassable. Such officers must also be cleaned. As MPs are punished for wrongdoing, biased public officials must also be disciplined. They are paid by taxpayers and must not act with hate. We also saw protests in Kalmunai and Mannar against opening liquor stores. Please pay attention to that as well. I conclude. Thank you.