Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan

## Summary Hon. Srineshan spoke during a debate on coal procurement, addressing an adjournment motion citing four concerns: failure to follow due process, disregard of COPF advice, substandard coal quality, and risks to the power system. He urged the Government to take Opposition criticisms constructively rather than deflecting with counter-accusations about past administrations, specifically referencing claims by Hon. Mujibur Rahuman that eight ships carrying substandard coal had already arrived with approximately twenty more expected, and calling on the Government to take corrective action on the four raised issues. He also raised two additional matters: the need to expand rural electrification to remote villages facing human-elephant and human-crocodile conflict—citing recent fatal elephant attacks in Valachchenai and Magilavetuvan—and calling for coordinated action between the Ministers of Power and Wildlife. Additionally, he urged the Education Minister to adapt map- and image-based examination questions across all public examinations to ensure fair access for visually impaired students.

Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan highlighted the escalating human-elephant conflict in multiple localities within the Batticaloa district, citing fatal incidents in Valachchenai, Meelavettuvaan, and Siththandi. He called on the Department of Wildlife Conservation to operationalise three already-approved local offices in Batticaloa and ensure adequate staffing to address elephant incursions. Additionally, he raised concerns about paddy farmers' inability to sell their produce at the government-guaranteed price, urging authorities to intervene to ensure farmers receive the stipulated payment.

## Summary Hon. Srineshan spoke in support of an amendment to the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Act, arguing that stronger legislation and strict enforcement are essential to building a drug-free Sri Lanka. He cited deteriorating drug conditions in the Batticaloa "Paduvankarai" area following the end of the civil war in 2009, a reported figure of over 230,000 drug-addicted students in Colombo, and the alleged penetration of drug networks into politics — referencing Sampath Manamperi's connections to former presidential security and the Raviraj murder case. He also raised concerns about illicit alcohol production in rural areas contributing to crime and domestic violence. Additionally, he made an unrelated request to the Minister of Fisheries to consider permitting mechanized assistance, such as tractors, for shore seine fishing in areas facing labour shortages.

The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan concluded his speech by urging the Minister to restore the former railway timetable and rolling stock, arguing that doing so would return daily revenue to Rs. 1,000,000. He highlighted that the current situation results in a daily revenue loss of Rs. 700,000, framing the restoration as a financially prudent measure.

## Summary Hon. Srineshan spoke in support of the Sri Lanka Real Estate Professionals' Institute Bill, arguing that it presents an opportunity to rebuild professional capacity lost through emigration — partly due to ethnic conflict — by creating a welcoming environment for skilled professionals and investors. He called for the Institute to promote entrepreneurship across all ethnicities and backgrounds on the basis of talent alone, and urged university curriculum reform to produce job creators rather than graduates dependent on government employment. In a separate matter, he raised concerns about the deterioration of the Batticaloa railway service, noting that replacement of Romanian-type locomotive trains with smaller power sets has reduced daily revenue from approximately Rs. 1,000,000 to Rs. 300,000, while a less convenient timetable disrupts commuters. He requested restoration of the original rolling stock and schedule.