Hon. Ajith Gihan

The speech provided contains only a brief courteous acknowledgment directed at a Minister, with no substantive policy arguments, proposals, or questions made. There is insufficient content to produce a meaningful parliamentary summary.

Hon. Ajith Gihan posed a written question to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism regarding the underdevelopment of tourism in the Puttalam District. The member highlighted that tourist attractions in Sri Lanka are concentrated in only a few regions and that no programme has been established to develop Puttalam's tourism potential. He requested information on which tourist destinations have been identified in the district and what steps the government intends to take to develop the area as a tourist destination.

Hon. Ajith Gihan addressed two fisheries-related issues. On the attack against multi-day fishermen allegedly involving the Indian Coast Guard, he confirmed that India has officially denied involvement in writing, that the injured fishermen have been hospitalised and are receiving government attention, and that investigations are ongoing both domestically and in coordination with India. On beach-seine (madal) fisheries, he defended the enforcement of the 1984 beach-seine regulations, clarifying that there is no ban on the industry itself but that the use of tractors constitutes unlawful mechanisation — noting that a previous minister had improperly granted such permission to 183 operators — and warning that mechanised over-extraction damages coastal ecosystems and harms small-scale fishers. He called on protesters, particularly those operating north of Puttalam, to pursue their concerns through lawful channels rather than illegal methods, while expressing willingness to engage in dialogue.

Hon. Ajith Gihan directed a written question to the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources concerning the impact of the X-Press Pearl maritime disaster on Sri Lanka's fishing community. The member sought confirmation of the government's awareness of the adverse effects on fishermen, details on whether compensation has been disbursed and the total amount paid to date, and specifically requested information on plans to provide compensation to fishermen in the Puttalam District. The question implies concern that affected fishing communities, particularly in Puttalam, may not have received adequate or any compensation following the disaster.