The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees. Good afternoon, Hon. Members!

¶ 02 Through today’s Budget, the President has provided certain basic needs for ordinary people in Jaffna. I may be the only one from the Opposition happy about that. I did not enter politics for politics’ sake. I was glad when the Hon. Prime Minister and Hon. Harini Amarasuriya visited Jaffna, particularly my former school, Jaffna Hindu College. However, Hon. Amarasuriya herself had said in September that politicians should not be invited to school events to politicize them. Perhaps she forgot? My friend Hon. Ilankumar and Hon. Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar also attended; we warmly welcomed them.

¶ 03 I looked at the economic Budget proposals and saw none specifically for the Northern Province in health. We will debate this later. In Aariyalai–Kombayan Manal, due to improper waste management, hospital waste is burned unsafely. I kindly request the Hon. Health Minister to directly intervene and resolve waste management problems there.

¶ 04 At Jaffna Teaching Hospital, the Eye Ward performed 17,000 cataract surgeries in 2024. A ward comparable to the National Hospital is run by Dr. Malaravan. I learned that to disrupt his service, Dr. Sathiyamoorthy has brought in two other wards within the same unit. I raise this because serious improper actions at Jaffna Teaching Hospital affect doctors and staff.

¶ 05 Day before yesterday, our brother Hon. Ilankumar met with a vehicle accident; his vehicle rolled into a paddy field. This Government talks of reducing MPs’ privileges, but must consider basics: my vehicle has 14 airbags; his had none. If he had died, you would appoint another MP, but he has parents and a child. Even if you do not provide top vehicles, at least provide party vehicles with proper safety.

¶ 06 Many Jaffna medical graduates, after internship, wish to go to Australia or the UK and sit AMC or PLAB exams. I feel the Budget should have handled doctors’ matters more carefully.

¶ 07 Next, the Teyitti Vihara issue is a major one. When the President visited Jaffna, many there urged to demolish the Vihara. I have not come to politics for politics, but for people. Since our Jaffna people are affected by this Vihara issue, and to prevent reprisals against Tamils in Colombo like the 1983 Black July, I asked the President not to demolish it but to provide compensation to those affected. Yet, the same party now stands at Chemmany mass grave. Politics should serve people. So, I request immediate action on the Vihara issue and compensation.

¶ 08 More importantly, nothing was mentioned this time about fishermen. Northern trawler fishermen are badly affected by incursions by South Indian trawlers. You know our current strategic location. Please think about northern fishermen. In the South, a fishery harbor is fully concreted; in the North, fishermen still walk on sand to work. I trust the Hon. Fisheries Minister will consider this.

¶ 09 On DCC funds allocated to MPs, they asked for project proposals within five days. In project management, you cannot produce proposals in five days; you need at least 20 to 30 days. The DCC met on the 14th; I received the email today, the 17th, asking for proposals the day after tomorrow. I kindly request the NPP Government to advise the Government Agent and DCC Chair to allow time: MPs must meet people first, then bring needs via DS Offices to DCC before submitting proposals.

¶ 10 It is reported more viharas are to be built in Iranamadu. In future, when building new viharas, please build on State land rather than on common public lands.

¶ 11 Finally, the Budget did not mention Palaly Airport. Please upgrade Palaly to an international airport to bring development to the North. Thank you.