Hon. Imran Maharoof

Hon. Imran Maharoof raised concerns about the proposed composition of the Waqf Board, a civil body administering mosques and Muslim community properties, alleging that nominated members include a retired military officer, a known government supporter, and a repeat candidate of the ruling party. He argued that such appointments would amount to the politicisation of religious administration and questioned the Government's commitment to independent governance, given its electoral mandate for change. He called on the Government to address these concerns substantively rather than deflecting them as communal or racist provocations, and demanded that suitable, independent persons be appointed to the Board instead.

Hon. Imran Maharoof raised a question regarding the growing prevalence of night-time sporting competitions, attributed to climate considerations, and noted the absence of adequately equipped grounds with night-play facilities in his area. He inquired whether the government has plans to develop such infrastructure to support athletes who currently participate in evening sports activities.

Hon. Imran Maharoof highlighted sporting achievements in the Trincomalee District, citing the Surangal Al-Ameen MV team's victory in the All-Island Under-18 football championship and the selection of school-level cricketers. He noted, however, that the district lacks a sports ground with adequate facilities. He directed a question to the Minister asking whether the Ministry is coordinating with the school system to develop or rehabilitate sports grounds in the district.

## Summary Hon. Imran Maharoof posed a written question to the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports regarding the state of sports infrastructure in the Trincomalee District. The member highlighted the absence of a nationally suitable stadium in the district, the abandonment of development works at McHeyzer Stadium, and the lack of turf pitches for leather ball cricket players in the area. He sought clarification on the reasons for halting the McHeyzer Stadium project, whether an alternative site would be considered if legal or other impediments persist, and whether new leather ball cricket stadiums would be constructed in Kantale, Trincomalee, Kinniya, and Mutur. Additionally, Maharoof asked whether the government intends to develop an international-level cricket stadium in the Eastern Province, and if so, within what timeframe.

Hon. Imran Maharoof questioned the justification for extending the state of emergency, suggesting it may be aimed at suppressing growing protests by graduate teachers, doctors, and other groups rather than addressing genuine security threats. He raised concerns about critical police understaffing in the Kinniya DS Division in his Trincomalee District, where officer numbers have fallen from 120 to 47 despite serving a population of over 100,000, and called for staffing to be restored. He also urged the government to proceed with the construction of a new Kinniya police station on properly designated state land and to establish the previously gazetted Naduwaththu police station. Additionally, he renewed calls for the resolution of a long-standing issue concerning access to the Karumalaiyootru Mosque, requesting that impediments to Muslim worship there be removed.

## Summary Hon. Imran Maharoof raised concerns about the delayed and incomplete disbursement of disaster relief announced by the President following the Ditva cyclone and floods, with particular focus on Trincomalee District's Muttur DS Division, where 6,932 families applied for a Rs. 25,000 cleaning grant and 1,692 were identified for a Rs. 50,000 essential items grant, yet only 330 have received the latter. He tabled a letter from the Federation of All Mosques in Muttur to the President documenting this grievance, alongside a community request regarding ongoing flooding in Puttalam's Arachchikattuwa/Vanathavillu area, where 26 families have faced floodwaters for over 100 days. The member posed ten formal questions covering the scope of unmet compensation claims across Trincomalee, eligibility criteria for overlapping grants, alleged pressure on District Secretaries to alter verified beneficiary lists, and relief provided to affected communities in Puttalam and Kandy Districts. He called on the Government to expedite fair and full payment to all disaster-affected families.