The Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen

¶ 01 In the debate under the Finance Act, I first thank the people. After the local authority election—the one that elects grassroots service representatives—this is my first chance to speak. The All Ceylon Makkal Congress is a small, newly reorganised party that faced many challenges. Its leadership endured unjust punishments and imprisonment, and I have been acquitted by court on all charges. In the recent local polls, people in Ampara, Trincomalee, Mannar, Vavuniya, Mullaitivu, Batticaloa, Puttalam, Kurunegala, Kalutara, Colombo, Kandy, and Anuradhapura districts entrusted us with 140 members. I thank them and assure our members and chairmen/vice chairmen will serve honestly, Insha Allah.

¶ 02 At the party leaders’ meeting, I told the President this electoral system is flawed and would make it impossible for any party to form single administrations in councils. An adjacent Minister said, “no time to change now.” But it could have been adjusted by amending the necessary instruments in a day and running the election under the old system. Then councils could have been formed cleanly without bargaining. Instead, today, in places like Karaitivu Pradeshiya Sabha, I hear offers of Rs. 2.5 million per Member to form administrations—this is unhealthy. We request the Government to reform this system; if you do not, and we get the chance, we will.

¶ 03 We campaigned without mass rallies in Vavuniya, Mullaitivu, and Mannar, even as the President, Prime Minister, and Ministers visited. The SJB leader did not step in there. We ran a local campaign. The President promised on election platforms to open the Mannar–Puttalam road (Wilpattu corridor) by resolving legal issues; the current Prime Minister gave the same pledge even during the previous Presidential and Parliamentary elections. Many Mannar voters backed you with that expectation. Yet last week, court ordered the road closed completely.

¶ 04 When we opened it 15 years ago, an NGO went to court. The Attorney-General’s Department then discussed compromises: opening during daylight; allowing all but three-wheelers, etc. But now, apparently with the AG’s concurrence, court has ordered closure of this over 100-year-old Class B road. Sri Lanka has many roads through wildlife areas—Habaranaya routes with elephants, routes from Ampara with wildlife, and Yala access. Why close only this route which Northern Tamil-speaking people use most, linking Mannar and Puttalam? If this road were in Ambanthota or Kurunegala, would it be closed? It saves about 100 km for Jaffna–Colombo travel. This decision has crushed local expectations and contradicted the President’s and PM’s public assurances. We request a five-judge bench to review the three-judge decision and deliver justice.

¶ 05 This country suffered a terrible war. Thousands of Tamils, Sinhalese, soldiers, and ordinary Muslims like me became victims; memories of pain remain in hearts. Do not deepen those wounds with unequal applications—reopen this vital national road.

¶ 06 On DCB (Decentralized Budget) funds: Previously, both Government and Opposition MPs, including those of DCB, received allocations. The President, as Finance Minister, said during Committee that Rs. 10 million per MP would be given. Six months after we took our seats, not even a letter has come. Our voters have needs—small roads and minor works. Will the Opposition never receive funds? Will you be in Government for 100 years? One day you may be in Opposition—would it be fair then to deny you? Please release DCB funds to all MPs as before.

¶ 07 On security: I am elected from Vanni. Returning from a meeting via a forest path, intoxicated rival partisans surrounded us; we barely escaped. In a country with daily killings and firearms seized even in Colombo 6, is it too costly to assign one or two police officers for MPs’ personal security? Must a life be lost first? We are people’s representatives. The Speaker must ensure Member security.

¶ 08 [Expunged on the order of the Chair.]

¶ 09 Thank you.