Ahamed Lebbe Maraikkar Athaullah

Ahamed Lebbe Maraikkar Athaullah, also known as A. L. M. Athaullah, is a Sri Lankan politician who has served in various ministerial positions and as a Member of Parliament representing the Ampara district.

National Politics

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Athaullah has been elected as a Member of Parliament representing the Ampara district [Source]. He is currently the leader of the National Congress party [Source].

Ministerial Positions

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Athaullah has held several ministerial positions in the Sri Lankan government:

1. Non-cabinet Minister for Highways (2001-2004) [Source]
2. Minister for Infrastructure Development (Eastern Province) (2004-2005) [Source]
3. Minister of Infrastructure Development and Fisheries Housing (2005-2007) [Source]
4. Minister of Water Supply and Drainage (2007-2010) [Source]
5. Minister of Local Government and Provincial Councils (2010-2015) [Source]

Key Actions and Initiatives

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As Minister of Water Supply and Drainage, Athaullah:

• Oversaw the implementation of a Rs. 3,500 million drinking water scheme in Muttur in 2008 [Source]
• Supervised the Rs. 1.07 billion Tangalle Water Supply Scheme in 2008 [Source]
• Proposed utilizing soft loan facilities for rehabilitation of water treatment plants in 2010 [Source]

As Minister of Local Government and Provincial Councils

• Issued orders appointing commencement dates for terms of office for members of various Municipal Councils, Urban Councils and Pradeshiya Sabhas in 2011 [Source]
• Appointed a National Delimitation Committee on demarcation of wards for local authorities in December 2012 [Source]
• Participated in the inauguration of school buildings upgraded with support from KOICA in the Eastern Province in June 2012 [Source]
• Attended the foundation laying ceremony for a new Pradeshiya Sabha building in Pottuvil as the chief guest in October 2012 [Source]
• Launched an e-services program for the Colombo Municipal Council to allow online rate payments in 2013 [Source]

Recent Political Activities

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• In 2021, as part of a group of government-affiliated political parties, Athaullah called for a lockdown to contain the spread of COVID-19 [Source]
• In 2022, he was nominated to serve on the National Council, a parliamentary body [Source]
• In 2022, Athaullah was among a group of MPs who decided to become independent from the government [Source]
• In 2023, he was appointed to serve on the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Energy & Transport [Source]
• In 2023 and 2024, he was appointed to the Committee on Public Accounts [Source]

Controversies and Allegations

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• In September 2020, Athaullah faced criticism in Parliament regarding his attire and was asked to leave the chamber. He later returned with special approval from the Speaker [Source]
• In 2020, a former senior police official alleged that Athaullah, along with some other politicians, had provided security for Muslim extremist groups that emerged in the Eastern Province around 2008-2009 [Source]