The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir

¶ 01 Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim.

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, today we debate regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act. This contributes significantly to rebuilding the country. Yet the Government benches accuse the Opposition of not speaking to the point. While some have spoken on it, Government Members must also present in Parliament the different issues now facing the country and the people. Representatives should bring the problems of their areas and general issues to the Government’s attention. The Government unfortunately continues to ignore some matters.

¶ 03 On this occasion, I raise one point connected to telecommunications regulation. In Sainthamaruthu, fishermen sometimes go missing or face accidents at sea due to lack of proper telecom arrangements. Afterwards, the Air Force and Navy spend millions searching. Even after over a year in office, a simple device worth Rs. 15,000 on a telecom tower has not been repaired; yet we talk of transforming national telecommunications. At local and district coordinating committees, we were told it would be done immediately; nothing has happened. I hope at least now it will be addressed.

¶ 04 Telecom companies collect huge revenues from people but give no subsidies. During the recent “Tithva” cyclone disaster, in many areas people could not get service, yet monthly charges were levied. In our area, calls could be made only after 21 days. The Government should address this too.

¶ 05 Regarding the nationwide protests by development officers over teacher appointments, we thank the Hon. President for proposing a solution today. Some 16,000 development officers have continuously served in Government schools; please consider their case and provide appointments.

¶ 06 On Akkaraipattu’s Nuraicholai housing scheme, my colleague Hon. Nizam Kariapper, President’s Counsel, spoke this morning. For over ten years, matters have been delayed citing court cases or orders. I recall another incident: when former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was in office, when Dr. P.B. Jayasundera was disqualified by court and could hold no office, the then President used executive power to reappoint him as Secretary to the President and later as Secretary to the Ministry of Finance. Likewise, when the court ordered fuel prices be capped at Rs. 120, the former President, saying it would harm the economy, sold at Rs. 175 in defiance of the order. If such actions were taken then, why can the present President not use Parliamentary authority to deliver the tsunami housing scheme to those affected, instead of diverting it to others, fuelling ethnic tensions? Even today, affected families live scattered. I urge this august House to take due action.

¶ 07 In our area, coastal erosion has been severe for 10–15 years. We have repeatedly raised this in Parliament. Those responsible earlier took bribes for the Oluvil Port construction, and later took commissions even on a few loads of rocks dumped as a “solution,” and remain silent. Some of those party leaders sit here. Without securing the full design and understanding the pros and cons of the Oluvil Port, they extended their hands for commission and keep silent. Meanwhile, people suffer: in Nintavur alone, over 150 acres of coconut and paddy lands have been lost to the sea; janazas have been washed away in Maligakadu; Attapallam is devastated; Maruthamunai and Sainthamaruthu are affected. I urge the Government to take immediate remedial action. Thank you.