The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, my second supplementary concerns the Gampola Zonal Education Office. Under that office, schools in Beravila, Nawalapitiya and Baranagala areas have been completely closed, with students planned to be absorbed into nearby schools. For Paragala School, space at a Buddhist temple’s dining hall has been provided, but the environment is unsuitable and space is inadequate. Also, at Al-Hikma Muslim School, there is a full landslide threat; no buildings can be used. In discussions, the final decision was to build temporary structures on the playground using UNICEF funds. However, UNICEF keeps holding Zoom meetings; three months have passed with no result. Please speak to UNICEF to fast-track the tender process and complete temporary buildings.

¶ 02 Further, the primary section of Al-Mina School, Kahathapitiya, cannot function. Though temporarily moved to the primary section of Gampola National School, donors have come forward to fund a building, but Provincial Council approval has not yet been granted. As schools are closed during Ramadan, this time can be used to build temporary structures; if provincial education authorities grant approval, we can proceed quickly. There are many such issues affecting Muslim, Sinhala and Tamil schools under the Gampola Zone. Please convene a discussion or instruct the relevant provincial officers to propose solutions. Since provincial council elections have not been held, there are no provincial education ministers; governors are handling everything. Therefore, hold provincial council elections soon; many of these issues can be resolved at that level. Now we are compelled to raise them in Parliament.