The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Presiding Member. The current international war-like situation has created an energy crisis, which is rapidly affecting Sri Lanka. It impacts agriculture, transport, power, education, and health.

¶ 02 Our farmers are struggling—unable to obtain fertilizer and agrochemicals, and lacking fuel for land preparation and transport. The government must assure farmers, for agriculture is our primary productive sector. We must prevent farmers and those engaged in agriculture from abandoning it. Fuel price increases severely affect production; therefore, farmers expect relief and subsidies.

¶ 03 Electricity tariff hikes and LP gas price increases are affecting every family, especially the poor and middle classes. The government must think further about what to do for these people. The energy crisis also affects education officials and students. We do not know how long this war will continue—driven by the arrogance of a great power. The government must manage this crisis well and create pathways for the people to recover.

¶ 04 Recently, GCE (A/L) results were released. By district, Colombo ranked first, Mannar second, Puttalam third, Kalutara fourth, Batticaloa fifth, and Jaffna sixth. Three predominantly minority districts are within the top six. We congratulate the officials, teachers, principals, and students who worked for this achievement.

¶ 05 Ordinary rural people are unable to do their daily work due to the fuel crisis. I must also highlight a serious issue facing our farmers—human-elephant conflict. Though not directly linked to fuel, it greatly harms farmers. In Senganai/Chenkalady area, a farmer near Karuppu Palam was killed by an elephant; likewise, in Puthumandapathady a person named Chinnavan was killed. Attacks are more frequent in dark areas. This has become a pressing sub-issue. The government must deploy new strategies to protect people from electricity and fuel crises while also addressing these threats.

¶ 06 Despite Kilinochchi facing many educational challenges, Thirukkumaran of Kilinochchi Maha Vidyalayam achieved island first in the Mathematics stream; and Sumanan Farhan of Kattankudy achieved first in Commerce. I congratulate them and all other stream toppers, and the parents who, amid poverty, enabled their children to excel.

¶ 07 Because of fuel shortage, hoarding of fuel, fertilizer, and pesticides is occurring. Urgent action is needed to prevent this and protect people from its effects.

¶ 08 Drug abuse is becoming a major crisis. I have received reports of drug trafficking in Navatkuda village. I have written to the Hon. Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles on this. I kindly request swift action.

¶ 09 Due to war, about 202 people have been displaced from Kanagar village. While 73 have been permitted to resettle, 129 remain without permission. Those poor people are pleading in tears. I request the government to allow their resettlement.

¶ 10 The Easter Sunday attacks have again become a matter of concern. A book related to the attacks was released by Udaya Gammanpila. I wish to point out that under the last three Presidents the truth about Easter has not emerged fully. Some suspects at the second and third level have been arrested, and we hear some truths are coming out. Who is the first-level mastermind? Will he be arrested now?

¶ 11 We must not bury the truth through books. That book claims Zahran Hashim was the chief mastermind, thereby attempting to conceal the truth. He may be a third- or fourth-level perpetrator, but those who planned it remain. Some second-level suspects have been arrested. We must identify and arrest the first-level mastermind who carried out the attack to change the government. Justice must be served for the 269 innocent killed and the hundreds injured. His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith continues to seek the truth. We must not scapegoat Zahran and let the directors of this atrocity escape. Was any of them present at that book launch?

¶ 12 The energy crisis must be managed well to protect people. We do not know when the Middle East war will end; until then, protect the people. I conclude. Thank you.