The Hon. K. Kader Masthan
2026-02-05
Hon. K. Kader Masthan acknowledged the Minister's engagement with the North and Mannar region before raising concerns about a road access dispute. He noted that ambiguities in the journal records contributed to a court ruling that relied on the Wildlife Department's assurance against allowing public transport, suggesting the outcome might have differed had respondents 4 and 9–21 filed objections. Characterising the current situation as neither permanent nor satisfactory after years of struggle, he urged the Government to set a date to convene stakeholder consultations and work swiftly toward restoring road access to the public.
Hon. Speaker, I thank the Hon. Minister for his clarity and longstanding engagement with the North and Mannar. The journal records themselves are confusing. The court relied on the Wildlife Department’s assurance not to allow public transport; had respondents 4 and 9–21 objected, this outcome may not have arisen. This is not a permanent solution. After years of struggle, Government must decide. Please fix a date to meet stakeholders and rapidly work toward a solution, and make the road available to the people again.