Hon. Manjula Suraweera Arachchi

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, we first thank the group of MPs representing the hill country for moving this Adjournment on issues faced by the hill country people and steps ahead.

¶ 02 The NPP Government commenced a political journey to create a prosperous country and a dignified life. Our Government led by the Hon. President has presented the ‘Hatton Declaration’ to ensure the right of the hill country people to live with dignity and economic strength, changing the country’s political culture.

¶ 03 For 76 years of governance, and for about 200 years of estate labour, the rights of our hill country people have been neglected—we accept this, and we are in politics to change it. In one year and six months, we have begun actions to change the lives of our beloved mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters in the hill country. While we deliver historic victories, some engage in narrow, power-hungry, divisive politics exploiting these people. While our MPs speak for national unity, some at local level are stoking ethnic flames. We urge MPs, especially those representing the hill country: let’s build a united, prosperous Sri Lanka for all Sri Lankans.

¶ 04 Local events are being politicized to create unrest. A seven-year-old was planned to be brought from Talawakelle to Colombo seeking land; photos show local politicians behind it. Do not allow such things; let’s work for national unity.

¶ 05 There are many pending issues: in Nuwara Eliya District there are about 880 ungazetted internal estate roads with no legal status. During your time these were not gazetted. Now with the President, we will gazette about 800 of these and assign them appropriately to the RDA, PRDA, or local authorities.

¶ 06 From Lindula to Dayagama is a vital economic road bringing vegetables. Did you allocate funds to build it? Now Rs. 3,250 million has been allocated to build 22 km in 2026. We have also allocated major funds to rehabilitate 23 critical RDA roads damaged by disasters.

¶ 07 There are 1,510 schools in the Central Province; 968 schools sit on LRC, estate company, or state lands without proper land title. We are addressing land regularization to make schools safe. Yes, the housing and road problems are not 100% solved, but we have started. Despite setbacks like Cyclone ‘Ditwa’, we have risen and are moving in the right direction toward a prosperous country and a beautiful life, implementing the Hatton Declaration, page by page.

¶ 08 We launched the ‘Praja Shakthi’ programme not to divide Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim, but to deliver lives in every GN division. For Nuwara Eliya District alone, Rs. 998 million is set aside for Praja Shakthi, in addition to other development. To uplift hill country people without ethnic distinction, provide facilities, build livelihoods, and improve their economy—proposals have been received and work is commencing.

¶ 09 Let’s also work together within the District Coordinating Committee. There is no need to act like film stars from Tamil Nadu. Come with proposals; let us discuss progressively and democratically and deliver for the hill country. Some MPs do not participate, though they speak to media and Parliament; come and work together. When doing good work, there is no Government-Opposition divide. We are committed, making sacrifices, leading by example, ensuring unity, and enforcing the law equally among Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim peoples.

¶ 10 Thank you for the Motion. From where you stopped, we must run a long race; let us all join to do so. Thank you.