The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, in Mannar Island, ilmenite (mineral sand) mining is proceeding against the will of the people and must be halted immediately. Mannar Island is narrow and low-lying; during rains water does not drain easily, forcing repeated displacements. The terrain lacks natural disaster resilience, and the Urban Development Authority does not permit buildings over three floors. Mineral sand mining will have grave consequences. Although the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) led two multi-agency field visits to conduct an EIA, strong public opposition prevented it. Yesterday, police obtained a court order against protests and plan another field visit tomorrow—this must be stopped. Entering private lands against owners’ wishes to facilitate private mining is a grave betrayal and will trigger mass protests and potential law-and-order issues. I urge the CEA and other agencies to stop tomorrow’s field visit.

¶ 02 I thank the Hon. President for allocating funds in this Budget to reconstruct the Vattuvagal bridge in Mullaitivu—a site scarred by the final war that took countless lives. However, many needs remain unmet.

¶ 03 Health in Mullaitivu District requires urgent upgrading. Patients wait endlessly for doctors and crowd hospitals. We request for the District General Hospital and for the Regional Health Services: facilities for in-service training doctors, a permanent hostel for doctors, an ambulance, a vehicle for the Regional Director of Health Services, cadre review, and filling vacancies.

¶ 04 The Mullaitivu District General Hospital is the only tertiary care facility in the district, yet cannot attract in-service (post-intern) training doctors due to inadequate facilities. To start such training, at least four board-certified specialists must serve; currently there are only two (General Medicine and Paediatrics). Services in two more specialties—Obstetrics & Gynaecology and General Surgery—are obtained from other districts on a temporary basis, increasing burdens. Appoint the needed specialists and list Mullaitivu DGH among hospitals authorized for in-service training. Over 1,500 post-intern doctors are awaiting placement—please prioritize Mullaitivu.