The Hon. Naina Thambi Marrikkar Mohamed Thahir

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, it is proven that substandard coal was brought to the Norochcholai Lakvijaya Power Plant. Both Government and Opposition must accept this. Whether there was fraud is another question. But all 225 of us must look at the environment. The Lakvijaya plant has caused massive environmental damage. From Udappuwa to the Nalawila Catholic Church, the fishing community cannot pursue livelihoods. The sea is covered in ash. Vegetables have black dust; coconut cultivation is being destroyed. This environmental issue is more serious than the fraud allegation. The Government must intervene. The Environment Minister should look not only inside the plant but around it—40 kilometres from Karambewa to Kalpitiya have been affected. Due to fine coal dust, serious illnesses such as cancer and respiratory diseases have increased. I request the Health Minister to look into this urgently.

¶ 02 I also request the Health Minister to expedite commissioning of the large, beautiful hospital built in the Kalpitiya area to serve nearly 100,000 people. Please visit soon and prepare it for service. Thank you.