2026-02-19 / Debate (Continued): Judicature (Amendment) Bill and Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill - Committee and Third Reading 2026-02-19
## Summary
Hon. M. S. Abthul Wazeeth raised several development and administrative concerns relating to the Pottuvil area of the Ampara District. He requested the establishment of a modern sports ground in Vattiveli, Kalappulattu, or Sarvodaya Puram, the completion and upgrading of existing grounds at Jalaludeen Square, Pasarichenai, and Komari, and the provision or rehabilitation of sports grounds for seven named schools, noting that over 40 sports clubs and 1,000 youth members currently lack adequate facilities. He also called for the urgent appointment of a permanent sports officer to the Pottuvil Divisional Secretariat, the establishment of a Youth Vocational Training Centre, and the equipping of the Sainthamaruthu Youth Training Centre with laptops, a photocopier, and a projector.
On agricultural matters, he urged the government to purchase wet paddy at the guaranteed price, as recent rains have prevented farmers from drying paddy, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation by private traders offering very low prices. He raised a concern regarding the Eastern Provincial Public Service Commission's 2023/2024 Graduate Teachers examination, where 30 candidates passed and were interviewed in May 2024 but have not received appointments due to a claimed absence of vacancies, tabling related documents. He further called for the resumption of stalled construction works at the Pottuvil Regional Secretariat bus depot, for which approximately Rs. 60 million was allocated and contracted to SDCC in November 2023.
In the Pottuvil area of the Ampara District, many have excelled in sports—SSP Majeed in rugby, and A. L. M. Ashraff in short-distance running, among others—showing talent nationally and even internationally. Over 40 sports clubs and 40 youth clubs have more than a thousand youth members who compete at divisional, district, provincial, and national levels. Yet we lack a standard sports ground. Our athletes train and play on sub-par grounds. I request the Hon. Minister to quickly establish a modern sports ground in one of the following areas—Vattiveli, Kalappukattu, or Sarvodaya Puram—and also to complete and upgrade the existing grounds at Jalaludeen Square, Pasarichenai, and Komari.
Further, please provide grounds (and rehabilitation of existing ones) for the following schools: Uruvani Saraswathi Vidyalayam, Komari Nooraniya Vidyalayam, Aksa Vidyalayam, Sengamam Al-Mina Vidyalayam, Munawwara Vidyalayam, Al-Ishraq Vidyalayam, and Al-Absan Vidyalayam. We also request a sports complex in Pottuvil; this would significantly advance youth sports in the area.
I note with pride that M. A. Munzeeb, an alumnus of Pottuvil Al-Bahriya Vidyalayam and a student of Pottuvil Central College (National School), has been selected to Sri Lanka’s Under-20 national football team. I pray for his success and thank the coaches and all who trained him.
Given the more than 40 youth clubs and over a thousand youth in Pottuvil and surrounding areas, a Youth Vocational Training Centre should be established there to benefit hundreds of youth. I thank the leaders of the youth federations—Bazeer Khan, Ilmudeen, Imthiyaz, Nafras, Naufal, Mustaqeem, YSO Farook, DYSO Kader, Tajahan, and others. Providing the Sainthamaruthu Youth Training Centre with laptops, a photocopier, and a projector will help youth obtain quality training and employment.
We have repeatedly asked for a sports officer to be appointed to the Pottuvil Divisional Secretariat. Without a permanent officer, athletes’ talents are stifled; the Government should urgently appoint one.
Mobile Ayurvedic health clinics have been conducted in Pottuvil Division, including in P16 and P17, with the support of Perul, Al-Raj, and Sanasa societies. I thank the doctors M. H. F. Basmia, A. M. M. Hamsath, M. M. Ameer Ali and the staff—Maqbool, Ayoob Khan, Niyas, Rahmathullah, Naufees Asmi, Vijayakumaran—for their service.
Al-Khaleej Ladies Arabic College and Al-Fatthah Jumma Mosque have been established with land and buildings donated by philanthropist Alhaj A. L. M. Kasim Moulavi; on behalf of my constituents, I convey our thanks. I also thank A. P. Uthumalebbe, Abdul Munaf, Haleem Ishaq, Sulaiman Lebbe, and others who helped complete much of the construction of the Pottuvil Muneera Mosque with public contributions.
Harvesting has begun along the coastal areas. The Paddy Marketing Board is purchasing paddy, but only dried paddy. Due to recent rains, farmers cannot dry paddy to sell at the guaranteed price; outside traders are buying wet paddy at very low prices, exploiting farmers. I urge the Government to purchase wet paddy at a guaranteed price so farmers, including thousands across our district and province, are protected from losses.
On 30.03.2024, the Eastern Provincial Public Service Commission held the Open Competitive Examination (Graduate Teachers, SLTS-GR-III, Provincial Schools – 2023/2024). Although 30 candidates passed and interviews were held on 21.05.2024, appointments have not been given citing “no vacancies.” Graduates like Fathima Ruztha and Nihma Banoo (BSc in IT/Management, 2017/2018) are now aging out. I request urgent action through the Eastern Provincial Public Service Commission, and I table the related documents.
Placed in the Library.
The Pottuvil Regional Secretariat bus depot (opened on 21.11.2001) has served all communities despite shortcomings. On 19.11.2023, about Rs. 60 million was allocated and a contract awarded to SDCC, but works have stalled. Please resume and complete: boundary wall, platform, permanent building and fuel storage, appoint five drivers and technical staff, address office staff shortages, and provide modern buses to operate long-distance tourist routes from Arugam Bay to Kandy, Ella, etc.