Hon. M.A.M. Thahir

¶ 01 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, today we are debating the Adjournment Motion regarding the need to protect the Muthurajawela wetland. There are many wetlands and forests in the country. Forests provide comprehensive support to protect both human resources and animal resources. Yet, for human needs—excessive needs, for wealth, for pleasure, and for various other reasons—we are destroying natural lands. As a result, people of this country are continuously experiencing disasters and other distressing situations. In that context, I thank the Hon. Member who brought this Adjournment Motion today.

¶ 03 In protecting lands, ethnic discrimination occurs in this country. In particular, the notion of “sacred land” is invoked. At the same time, in the name of protecting wildlife, we appropriate grazing lands and sugarcane fields, citing the Ministry of Environment, the UDA, and so on. Through these actions, Tamil and Muslim people in the North and East are being affected. Lands they cultivated for generations have today become forests. Due to the years of terrorism and displacement—around 35 years—those lands have turned into forests in circumstances where people could not go there to see or use them.

¶ 04 The government has today locked those lands in a racist manner, calling them “sacred lands” or saying “we must protect wildlife.” Therefore, along with the agenda brought today, the fallow lands in this country should be reconsidered and appropriate action taken to use them again for agriculture or other suitable needs.

¶ 05 At this time, when we say we must increase production and improve the economy, release these long-used lands to the poor and humble people! Resolve the issues! The Hon. President came to our Eastern Province and, on the basis of pledges—regarding the Saudi-funded prefabricated housing project, the Vattamadu land issue, the Pottuvil land issue, agricultural issues and so on—people in the North and East, the Tamil and Muslim people, rallied and voted supporting you.

¶ 06 Do not focus only on protecting areas like Muthurajawela in your regions. We must protect all areas across the country. All people are equal to you. Just as we pay attention to animals, reptiles and other living beings, we must also pay attention to human beings. The Kivul Oya project stands as evidence.

¶ 07 Today, in the area between Trincomalee’s Irakkakandi and Pulmoddai, about 5,000 families are suffering without access to clean drinking water. Every day more than ten people are receiving hospital treatment due to kidney stones.