Sitting of Thursday, 18 December 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 23062 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard
Order of business
Speeches load per item. Summaries shown here are AI-generated and labelled; verbatim text is on each speech page.
- 1 Opening Parliament Opening and Summoning 1 speeches
- 2 Papers Papers Tabled: Reports, Supplementary Estimate, Regulations, Orders and Performance Reports 10 speeches
- 3 Petitions Petitions Presented 3 speeches
- 4 Oral question Question by Private Notice: Credit Expansion and Ministerial Statement on Tourism 7 speeches
- 5 Papers Bills Presented: Judicature (Amendment) Bill 1 speeches
- 6 Procedural Sittings of Parliament - Hours of Sitting Order 1 speeches
- 7 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: Current Situation of the Country After Disaster Caused by Cyclone Ditwah 109 speeches
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- Hon. Manjula Suraweera Arachchi [10.01 a.m.]
AI summary Hon. Manjula Suraweera Arachchi moved an Adjournment Motion calling for swift, collective and evidence-based recovery measures after Cyclone “Michaung”, including disaster-resilient land use, safer settlements and economic activity that does not worsen natural hazards. He detailed the recovery situation in Nuwara Eliya District, noting substantial restoration of roads, hospitals, drinking water and electricity, while identifying remaining road, hospital and Walapane electricity issues. He commended public officers, security forces, volunteers, engineers, the CEB, the Water Board and NBRO, and highlighted NBRO inspections and reports on landslide risks affecting homes, roads and schools.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sunil Biyanwila JJB
AI summary Hon. Sunil Biyanwila supported the motion to suspend the sitting and commended the disaster response, particularly the Irrigation Department’s protection of tank systems and the coordination among political authorities, public officials, security forces, volunteers and communities. He said the Government maintained stable prices, delivered relief, restored electricity and water, reopened most schools, and allocated more funds to relocate people from high-risk areas. He also highlighted measures to resume cultivation in the Maha season, including clearing damaged farmlands, and said devolving spending authority to Divisional Secretaries and Grama Niladharis helped ensure transparent, corruption-free relief operations that attracted domestic and international support.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleke SJB
AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleke did not make a substantive contribution to the debate. He yielded his allotted speaking time to the Leader of the Opposition.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Condemning the destruction caused by Cyclone “Titli,” Sajith Premadasa expressed condolences to victims and gratitude to state agencies, security forces, volunteers, and international partners involved in relief efforts. He called for major reforms to Sri Lanka’s disaster-management system, including amendments to the Disaster Management Act, a dedicated Cabinet ministry, stronger technical agencies, Doppler radar capacity, improved data systems, and a Rapid Deployment Force possibly drawing on unemployed graduates. While pledging Opposition support for the Rs. 500 billion supplementary estimate and relief under Circular 08/2025, he demanded swift, transparent and non-politicized implementation, questioning the inclusion of a politically linked committee recommendation in the Badulla District relief application process.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena - Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Prasanna Gunasena outlined extensive cyclone damage to Sri Lanka’s road and rail networks, estimating A and B road rehabilitation at about Rs. 69 billion and overall road-related rebuilding needs at up to Rs. 190 billion if improved standards and safety measures are included. He detailed the status of reopened roads in Kandy, Matale, and Nuwara Eliya, and gave timelines for restoring key railway lines, including Trincomalee, Northern, Puttalam, Batticaloa, Talaimannar, and sections serving Badulla and Matale. He stated that the Ministry had prepared plans, estimates, and schedules, and emphasized reliance on coordinated state officials, volunteers, and political leadership to continue recovery while maintaining 2026–2027 development plans.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK
AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan said the recent disaster exposed failures in environmental preparedness and weaknesses in Sri Lanka’s disaster-response capacity, noting that foreign forces had to assist and that affected communities in the North and East, including island areas such as Neduntheevu, Eluvaithivu, Nainativu and Analaitivu, require greater priority in relief, transport and communications. He alleged unequal treatment, obstruction of officials, and lawlessness by government-affiliated persons during relief efforts. He also criticised the Presidential Secretariat circular on the “Prajashakthi” poverty alleviation programme, arguing that it sidelines elected MPs and local government representatives by empowering presidentially appointed structures and Divisional Coordination Committee Chairs, and urged the Government to respect elected bodies, act democratically, and ensure just cooperation in disaster recovery.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Ms.) Krishnan Kalaichelvi JJB
AI summary Hon. Krishnan Kalaichelvi expressed condolences for those affected by Cyclone “Titli” and described severe damage across 22 districts, especially in hill-country areas such as Nuwara Eliya, Walapane, Kotmale and Hanguranketha. She said many residents in vulnerable estate and hillside settlements remain in shelters or fear returning home due to damaged houses, roads and the risks created by unplanned construction. She welcomed the President’s commitment to relocate affected communities to safer areas and called for that plan to be implemented. She also praised the coordinated disaster response by government authorities, security forces, civil groups and citizens, and highlighted donations from estate workers, including one day’s wage, toward relief efforts.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF
AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake said disaster damage in Badulla, including blocked roads, damaged houses, and the Uma Oya anicut, far exceeds the Government’s proposed Rs. 500 billion allocation and called for urgent reconstruction and non-politicized relief distribution. He alleged that unofficial party-linked actors were interfering with Grama Niladharis in processing Rs. 25,000 grants, and urged the Government to treat all affected people equally. He also asked that deductions from soldiers’ wages for disaster contributions be stopped and that they instead be rewarded for relief work. Separately, he warned of a possible Litro LPG shortage if imports shift from the existing Oman supplier to a Swiss company, criticized the exchange rate increase, and cautioned against changes affecting Samurdhi Banks.
- The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation JJB
AI summary The Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation began addressing the Deputy Speaker, but the provided excerpt contains no substantive remarks, proposals, questions, or policy statements to summarize.
Infrastructure Full speech → - The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation JJB
AI summary The Minister condemned personal remarks made in the House regarding Hon. Ranwala and stated that allegations circulating on social media about whether he was under the influence during an accident should be dealt with by the courts. He urged Members not to spend parliamentary time on unverified social media claims.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Anton Jayakody - Deputy Minister of Environment JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Anton Jayakody attributed the recent floods and landslides to intensified rainfall linked to climate change, noting that infrastructure and slope-stability designs based on lower historic rainfall levels are no longer adequate for 400–600 mm short-duration events. He cited major landslide fatalities in past years and described severe flooding in river basins including Ma Oya, Deduru Oya and Malwathu Oya, while rejecting claims that Kotmale Reservoir spill gates were mismanaged and stating that decisions were made technically by engineers. He said around 95,000 families in Puttalam District were affected, outlined rescue and relief coordination involving district officials, Police, Navy, Army and helicopters, and thanked state agencies, public servants, businesses and citizens for their assistance.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP
AI summary Namal Rajapaksa thanked volunteers, clergy, school staff, and public officials involved in relief work for people displaced by the disaster and still housed in camps. He criticized government members for, in his view, attempting to downplay or normalize the disaster by referring to rainfall measurements and suggesting such losses were routine, arguing that this was unfair.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP
AI summary Hon. Namal Rajapaksa urged the Government to expedite procedures for returning people in relief camps to their homes and to clearly state compensation and support measures for affected farmers, damaged houses, land purchase, house construction, schoolchildren, and rent. He specifically questioned whether proposed payments such as Rs. 100,000 per acre, Rs. 500,000 for land, Rs. 1,000,000 for a house, and Rs. 25,000 allowances would be implemented. He also requested the appointment of a Special Select Committee, prioritizing Members from disaster-affected districts, to investigate the causes of the severe devastation.
- The Hon. T.B. Sarath – Deputy Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply
AI summary T.B. Sarath, Deputy Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply, rose on a point of order. No substantive argument, proposal, or question was recorded in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. T.B. Sarath JJB
AI summary T.B. Sarath responded to a reference made by Namal Rajapaksa concerning him and the Polonnaruwa District, clarifying the status of reported damage and compensation payments. He said reports covering tens of thousands of hectares had been received, Rs. 3,610 million had already been disbursed, and the remaining payments would be released as reports are finalized, with about Rs. 1.5 million allocated per hectare.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy JJB
AI summary Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy addressed the impact of Cyclone Ditwah, noting severe flooding in the Northern Province, particularly in Mullaitivu, Mannar, Kilinochchi, and Jaffna, and outlined ongoing Government relief, monitoring, and data collection with the support of officials, security forces, religious leaders, and civil society. He identified blocked and unrepaired canals, bunds, and bridges as a major cause of flooding in Kilinochchi and Jaffna, and requested funding, including a proposed Rs. 200 million allocation for Kilinochchi, to clean and rehabilitate drainage channels. He urged cooperation with Government programmes such as Prajashakthi and called for a collective, non-partisan response to support affected people and reduce future losses.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB
AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar questioned whether the Rs. 250 billion Supplementary Estimate is sufficient for post-disaster infrastructure damage, noting that RDA national roads alone may require about Rs. 190 billion and that wider provincial, local, utility and water-sector losses remain unclear. He urged the Government to prepare a comprehensive national damage assessment, present it internationally, convene a donor conference, and seek additional assistance and debt deferment rather than relying on inadequate domestic allocations. He also criticised delays in flood relief and cleanup in Kolonnawa, stating that many affected families had not received the promised Rs. 25,000 payment and calling for urgent waste clearance, faster payments, and use of local officials and state resources to verify and assist affected households.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan SJB
AI summary Dr. V.S. Radhakrishnan raised concerns about disaster-affected estate communities in the hill country, urging that displaced people not be sent back to unsafe homes until proper NBRO certification and basic facilities are ensured. He called for careful handling of relocations in areas such as Vaewandan and Norwood, and pressed the Government to address long-standing estate worker issues by securing wage increases, seven-perch housing land allocations, and permanent settlement in the hill country. He also questioned school reopening claims in the Central Province, requested new buildings for affected schools, and urged immediate appointment of all 1,162 eligible principals. He thanked India, MPs, and the public for relief assistance, while stating that the Government must take responsibility for protecting affected communities.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Arun Hemachandra – Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment
AI summary Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra thanked foreign governments, organizations and humanitarian partners for emergency relief, technical support and financial assistance after Cyclone Ditwah, stating that aid was coordinated through government mechanisms and respected Sri Lanka’s sovereignty. Reporting on Trincomalee, he said district disaster preparedness meetings, drainage investments and daily coordination among officials, security forces and agencies helped limit damage and avoid deaths, despite evacuations including the airlifting of about 260 people. He said 80 relief camps housed 26,694 people, and that payments of the Rs. 25,000 home-cleaning grant had been completed for 13,956 of 15,943 eligible families, with a decision to include public officers and persons abroad after initial circular-related delays.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB
AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad said recent flooding in Mirigama, Divulapitiya, Katana and Negombo was linked to Ma Oya overflowing, and called for comprehensive irrigation schemes for Ma Oya and Attanagalu Oya, including diversion of water to drought-affected regions. He proposed updated flood benchmarks, systematic maximum flood-level markings, river reservation demarcation, national land-use zoning, and support for households in risk zones to undertake mitigation works. He also urged faster implementation of disaster assistance circulars, protection for affected tenants, concessional finance or moratoria for damaged businesses, and a clear resettlement and housing policy, including possible multi-storey housing near urban areas. He further criticized the absence of digital tools for geo-tagged reporting by Grama Niladharis and asked the Digital Economy Ministry to address this gap.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Vijitha Herath – Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism
AI summary The Minister said the Government declared a state of emergency under the Public Security Ordinance after the disaster worsened, mobilized the Tri-Forces and Police, and coordinated international assistance for rescue and relief, including support from India, Pakistan, UN agencies, financial institutions, civil society, and Sri Lankans overseas. He outlined mechanisms for receiving funds and in-kind donations, including authorized Finance Ministry accounts and a bonded warehouse system at the airport to route supplies through the Disaster Management Centre to local officials. He stated that tourism had remained resilient, with no tourist deaths and about 2.2 million arrivals year to date, and rejected claims of imminent economic collapse or LPG shortages, saying a new supplier had been contracted and the first vessel was expected early next month.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella raised concerns about disaster relief in the Kandy District following heavy rainfall, landslide warnings, fatalities, and widespread damage. She said the Rs. 25,000 initial grant announced by the President had been allocated to only 21,431 of 51,596 affected families in the district, with low payment rates in several Divisional Secretariat areas, and requested urgent action to expedite payments. She also highlighted the absence of state assistance to 321 displaced families sheltered at Panchawilatenna Sri Ransingharama Viharaya, requested repairs to the collapsed Gurukale-Godawatta road, and described the debris-clearing burden faced by the Gampola Municipal Council after flooding.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti – Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development
AI summary Minister Sunil Handunnetti outlined post-disaster support for affected enterprises, stating that nearly 29,649 businesses had been registered, over 10,000 verified, and Rs. 10.5 billion released to 9,628 enterprises in 17 districts, including Rs. 200,000 initial grants per verified enterprise. He said the Government, banks, the Central Bank and the Finance Ministry were coordinating loan moratoria, concessional lending at around 3 per cent, and an Rs. 80 billion enterprise credit programme, while requesting Members to help affected businesses complete registration. He also described expedited mining and material-supply procedures for reconstruction, and reported district-level response and relief figures for Matara and Batticaloa, including flood management, emergency camps, compensation and relief payments.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti JJB
AI summary Hon. Sunil Handunnetti praised President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s leadership during the disaster response, saying his direct coordination with officials and local representatives helped mobilize the state and the public under the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” effort. He commended the Disaster Management Centre, Defence Secretary, ministry officials, District and Divisional Secretaries, Grama Niladharis, and volunteers, noting that many worked despite personal losses and heavy pressure. He argued that the response showed strong national unity and voluntary public service, and expressed confidence that Sri Lanka could move quickly from relief to recovery.
- The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Rauff Hakeem indicated he had a brief question for the Minister. No substantive issue, proposal, or policy matter was stated in the excerpt provided.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem requested the Minister of Industries to reconsider the financial assistance provided to small businesses in districts including Trincomalee, Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura. He argued that the Rs. 200,000 allocation is insufficient and proposed increasing the initial bulk disbursement to help businesses restart operations.
- The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti JJB
AI summary The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti clarified that the Rs. 200,000 assistance is not intended to fully revive affected businesses, but to help clean and prepare premises for reopening. He said further support, including insurance coverage and bank-backed revival packages, is being discussed with insurers and financial institutions through an inter-ministerial process. The proposed scheme is intended to apply to all affected industries.
- The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah expressed condolences for those affected by the recent disaster and acknowledged Government relief efforts, but said assistance, payments, road clearing and basic services had not reached many affected areas due to local-level administrative lapses. He urged the Government to ensure funds and facilities reach communities, expand capacity for housing damage assessments, and provide a permanent building for Pottuvil Osmania Junior School after its collapse. He also welcomed Dubai investor Essa Abdulla Al Ghurair to Parliament and invited long-term investment in sectors including infrastructure, education, renewable energy, tourism and technology.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB
AI summary The Minister said the Government had managed the “Dicha” cyclone disaster while also dealing with the economic crisis, citing 1,702,719 affected people, 643 deaths, and 183 missing persons. He detailed restoration work in Badulla and surrounding areas, including drinking water, electricity, hospitals, roads, bridges, railways, and irrigation infrastructure, and thanked public officials, local authorities, defence forces, Indian assistance teams, and volunteers. He said Rs. 25,000 house-cleaning payments had been made to 257,479 families and Rs. 1,535 million in crop compensation to 26,072 farmers, while arguing that the State response had largely stabilized essential services and community life within 22 days.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Palani Thigambaram SJB
AI summary Expressing condolences for disaster victims, Palani Thigambaram urged national unity and pledged cooperation with government recovery efforts while criticizing its disaster response compared with its past claims in Opposition. He highlighted recurring landslide risks in plantation districts and demanded safe housing for estate communities, including allocation of 7 to 10 perches of land per affected family, temporary relocation or tents, and immediate use of Indian-funded houses. He thanked India, government officials, and the Army for assistance, and called on the relevant Minister to visit affected Nuwara Eliya areas and make decisions to prevent people being forced back to unsafe sites.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni - Deputy Minister of Health JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister of Health Hansaka Wijemuni reported on the health-sector response to a recent disaster affecting districts including Kandy, noting restoration of essential services with support from the CEB, NWSDB, security forces, engineers and local authorities. He said three hospitals had become non-functional, with Mahiyanganaya and Halawatha restored, Wattegama temporarily operating from the MOH office pending relocation, and eight other facilities also planned for relocation; estimated health-sector damage was Rs. 2,113.5 million. He emphasized preventing disease outbreaks in relief camps, developing AI-assisted rapid warning and inundation systems for areas such as the Mahaweli basin, and expediting NBRO site assessments using external geologists and engineers. He also clarified that an operating bed was temporarily moved from Padaviya to Thambuttegama and said pharmaceutical matters were being handled legally and systematically.
- The Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna SJB
AI summary Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna said over 30 Opposition MPs had requested a Special Committee with Opposition investigatory powers to examine alleged shortcomings in the Government’s management of the recent disaster. He argued that relief measures announced by the President were delayed or inadequately implemented, citing unpaid or reduced grants for house-cleaning and schoolchildren, insufficient household and SME compensation, unclear circulars, and reported politicization of aid distribution. He urged faster delivery of benefits and stated that the Opposition would support the Rs. 500 billion supplementary estimate for disaster relief.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB
AI summary The Minister described the regional impact of the “Dicha” cyclone and stated that Sri Lanka had comparatively reduced fatalities, established shelters quickly, and restored normalcy in a short period. He linked such disasters to environmental degradation and reported damage to ecosystems, protected wildlife, endemic freshwater fish, national parks, and botanical gardens. He said assessments are underway and that a special committee was appointed on 11 December to evaluate ecosystem damage and guide restoration measures.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Naina Thambi Marrikkar Mohamed Thahir
AI summary Naina Thambi Marrikkar Mohamed Thahir highlighted severe flood damage in Puttalam District, including losses to agriculture, salt production, prawn aquaculture and coir-related livelihoods, and called for practical recovery measures such as reduced fertilizer prices, infrastructure support and industry revival plans. He requested proper access roads and restoration of the Puttalam–Mannar road, urgent action to reopen waterlogged schools, and village-level mobile arrangements to distribute the Rs. 25,000 house-cleaning assistance so affected residents need not travel long distances. He urged that relief and economic restoration be approached beyond party politics, emphasizing the national economic importance of Puttalam’s industries.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Naina Thambi Marrikkar Mohamed Thahir
AI summary Naina Thambi Marrikkar Mohamed Thahir requested that relief supplies, including food items reportedly held in kachcheries, be distributed fairly and promptly before Christmas. He noted that many Catholics living along the coastal belt were facing hardship and said timely distribution before 25 December would assist those communities.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi moved that Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake take the Chair during proceedings. The motion was agreed to, after which the Deputy Chairperson of Committees left the Chair and Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake assumed it.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Eranga Weeraratne - Deputy Minister of Digital Economy JJB
AI summary Eranga Weeraratne outlined the islandwide communications disruption caused by floods, landslides and fibre cuts during the disaster, noting that telecom tower outages fell from about 4,500 to full restoration through operator and military support. He said the Ministry, TRC and operators are reviewing stronger redundancy measures, including satellite backup, inter-operator “camp-on” roaming, and improved tower power resilience. He also reported the launch of a digital Flood Support System handling over 6,000 cases, Starlink and free telecom packages for relief and users, and the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund, which had received over Rs. 4 billion through official channels.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Jagath Vithana SJB
AI summary Hon. Jagath Vithana raised concerns over the death of a 23-year-old woman after receiving Ondansetron from a batch he said had already been banned by the NMRA, questioning whether the hospital received the directive and what action is being taken regarding the large number of vials reportedly already used. He linked the incident to broader concerns about drug safety, procurement, alleged contamination, and past medicine-related controversies, and called for accountability and assistance to the family. He also referred to recent natural disaster relief efforts, describing assistance provided by him and local volunteers, and offered remaining relief goods to Members who can arrange transport for affected constituents.
- The Hon. Jagath Vithana SJB
AI summary Jagath Vithana briefly urged the House to collectively ensure justice for an unnamed woman. The intervention was a short appeal rather than a detailed policy proposal or legislative argument.
Justice & Human Rights Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Eranga Gunasekara - Deputy Minister of Urban Development JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara said the Government was focusing on disaster response and recovery after severe flooding, while accusing parts of the Opposition of politicizing relief efforts rather than engaging constructively. He detailed impacts in Colombo District, especially Kolonnawa, including over 86,000 affected families, more than 55,000 damaged houses in Kolonnawa, deployment of about 70 boats, and ongoing garbage clearance said to be over 82 per cent complete. He stated that the Rs. 25,000 cleaning grant would be paid following official assessments, with additional staff assigned to complete payments, and outlined plans under the Prime Minister for Kelani basin flood control, removal of unauthorized structures, and humane resettlement of more than 5,000 households.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK
AI summary Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran urged the Government to provide prompt and adequate disaster relief and compensation to affected communities in Ampara District, including farmers, fishermen, daily wage earners, and livestock breeders who have lost livelihoods. He said relief such as the Rs. 25,000 household payment was not reaching all affected groups fairly and criticized officials for demanding photographic proof of flooding before granting assistance. He also called for urgent coastal protection works in Thirukkovil, Karaithivu, and Pottuvil to protect temples, homes, roads, gardens, and paddy lands from erosion.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply JJB
AI summary The Minister reported extensive disruption to water services following Cyclone “Dicha”, with 156 National Water Supply and Drainage Board treatment plants and 622 community water schemes affected, leaving about 600,000 connections without supply. He said most systems were stabilized within five to seven days through coordinated work by water sector staff, other agencies, the armed forces, volunteers, and local communities, including emergency bowser supply to major hospitals. He cited preliminary damage estimates of Rs. 5.6 billion for NWSDB infrastructure and Rs. 600 million for community schemes, and stated that short-, medium-, and long-term resilience programmes would follow immediate restoration efforts.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB
AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody moved that Hon. Upul Kithsiri take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake left the Chair and Hon. Upul Kithsiri assumed it.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC
AI summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe described the impact of the recent cyclone and floods, citing deaths, missing persons, housing damage and severe effects in parts of Kandy District, and noted volunteer and local authority assistance mobilized from the Eastern Province. He urged comprehensive disaster preparedness, including permanent safe resettlement lands for vulnerable hill-country communities, and said delayed relief payments of Rs. 25,000 and Rs. 50,000 had been raised with the President. He also called for implementation of standing disaster response plans and priority irrigation and drainage works in the Eastern Province, including repairs and schemes related to Mavil Aru, Senanayake Samudraya, Sammanturai–Periyakalappu and Kalmunai–Karavakulam, to reduce recurring flood damage to residents, lands and fishermen.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera SJB
AI summary Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera raised concerns that disaster relief promised by the President may be limited by subsequent circulars and implementation conditions. He requested that the Rs. 25,000 cleaning grant and the proposed Rs. 50,000 assistance cover not only flood-affected homes but also houses damaged by landslides and strong winds, with fewer documentation barriers for estate communities and mobile disbursement where possible. He also urged reassessment and protective works for high-risk schools in Yatiyantota, including Malalpola Vidyalaya, so relocated students can continue education safely.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Upali Samarasingha - Deputy Minister of Co-operative Development JJB
AI summary The Deputy Minister described the recent disaster response in the Northern districts, emphasizing inter-communal cooperation among Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim communities and support from religious leaders, workers, prisoners, businesses, and citizens from other regions. He reported that in Vavuniya, Mullaitivu, and Mannar, officials, security forces, and villagers evacuated residents, cleared roads, managed reservoirs, and rescued about 665 people stranded on rooftops. He highlighted severe losses in Mannar, including around 22,000 acres of damaged paddy and more than 10,000 dead cattle, and said District Disaster Management Committees and central and provincial agencies were coordinating relief, rehabilitation, and future preparedness.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK
AI summary Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan highlighted post-flood damage in several areas, calling for proper rehabilitation of the Anaikattiyaveli–Samulaiyadi road, reconstruction of the collapsed Magilavettuvan bridge, and repairs and protection for Chettipalayam District Hospital, which was flooded and faces nearby elephant movement. He raised concerns about delays and alleged unfairness in grassroots relief assessments, including denial of the Rs. 25,000 relief to some affected households, and urged accurate site-based verification by officials. He supported anti-narcotics, anti-crime and anti-corruption efforts under “Prajashakti” initiatives but cautioned against giving authority to defeated election candidates over elected local bodies, and requested relief for all affected groups including farmers, fishermen, daily wage earners and three-wheeler drivers.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Aravinda Senarath - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB
AI summary The Deputy Minister defended the Irrigation Department and Mahaweli Authority’s flood management during the November 2025 disaster, citing reservoir monitoring systems, hydrological gauges, real-time data updates and staff deployment during record rainfall. He rejected opposition criticism and argued that agencies had acted methodically to minimize downstream damage, while noting recurring flood risks in areas such as Colombo and Ampara. He said the Government is preparing long-term flood mitigation plans and that the Lands Ministry will identify safe state lands, including LRC and Mahaweli lands, for resettling people from high-risk areas in Nuwara Eliya, Kandy and Badulla.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Aravinda Senarath JJB
AI summary Aravinda Senarath said the Government had managed the recent crisis in a way that minimized harm to the public and protected major irrigation infrastructure, including the Mahaweli system. He acknowledged some damage to minor irrigation systems in Anuradhapura, attributing it to issues such as the absence of spill gates, and stated that the Government’s decisions over 669 days had aimed to steer the country in the right direction and improve public living conditions.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC
AI summary Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth thanked ministers, MPs, local authority officials, youths and community leaders involved in relief and clean-up work following the recent disaster, particularly in Kandy District and the Eastern Province. He raised the collapse of buildings at Pottuvil Usmaniya Vidyalaya, noting that seven of ten classrooms serving 237 students had collapsed, and welcomed the Eastern Provincial Education Ministry’s Rs. 1 million allocation for temporary sheds to resume classes. He requested government assessment and reconstruction of structurally unsafe buildings at Pottuvil Al-Aqsa Vidyalaya and Minaul Uloom Vidyalaya, and called for subsidies or assistance for affected fishermen, farmers and livestock breeders. He also urged urgent payment of previously promised Rs. 400,000 compensation to 15 Pottuvil fishermen who lost boats and gear in a mini-cyclone the previous year.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC
AI summary Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth said the absence of a bridge between Vedativu and Majithpuram in the Muthur Divisional Secretariat area had worsened disaster impacts and called for its construction. He also raised concerns over coastal erosion in Thirukkovil, Maruthamunai, Pottuvil, Maligakadu and Maiyavadi, noting risks to fishermen, residents, religious sites and burial grounds. He requested the Coast Conservation Department to urgently inspect the affected areas and implement a permanent solution.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC
AI summary M.S. Abthul Wazeeth requested the CCD to inspect an unspecified local issue and provide a permanent solution for the affected people in the area. He also called on the Government to assist in addressing the matter.
Infrastructure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Thilina Samarakoon JJB
AI summary Hon. Thilina Samarakoon described the impact of Cyclone “Ditva” on Anuradhapura District, stating that all 22 Divisional Secretariat Divisions were affected due to flooding linked to major rivers, reservoirs, tanks and irrigation spillovers. He cited district figures including 22,838 affected families, 86 deaths, extensive housing and irrigation damage, and major crop losses, including 9,500 hectares of paddy fully damaged. He said state officials, security forces, volunteer groups, religious leaders and political representatives worked jointly on rescue and protection efforts, and that relief payments and agricultural damage assessments were under way.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Thilina Samarakoon JJB
AI summary Hon. Thilina Samarakoon stated that the Government, together with the President, has the capacity and commitment to rebuild the country’s economy and society. He pledged maximum intervention by the Government and expressed condolences to those who lost loved ones and property.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB
AI summary Kins Nelson argued that the Government failed to convene the disaster management mechanisms required under the Sri Lanka Disaster Management Act when the cyclone threat was developing, noting that the relevant committee met only after the calamity. He said Polonnaruwa’s agriculture had suffered severe damage, with over 4,000 hectares of paddy destroyed, and argued that the proposed Rs. 150,000 per hectare compensation was inadequate given farmers’ actual cultivation costs and damage from sand, rocks and debris. He also urged faster and fuller payment of household relief, citing shortfalls in allocations for eligible homes in Polonnaruwa, and called on the Government to honour the President’s stated commitment of Rs. 75,000 per affected household rather than limiting the additional Rs. 50,000 by a later circular.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB
AI summary Kins Nelson reported that 2,622 milch cows had died in Polonnaruwa and that 1,328 cowsheds had been affected. He requested fair and maximum relief for dairy farmers impacted by these losses.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB
AI summary Kins Nelson referred to the killing of a trapped wild elephant in Seepukulam village, Mihintale, describing it as inhumane. He urged Parliament to pass the Animal Welfare Bill, arguing that such incidents may continue without the legislation.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB
AI summary Hon. Kins Nelson urged Parliament to pass the Animal Welfare Bill, citing an incident in Kumana National Park involving cruelty to wildlife. He also addressed a disaster with many deaths and missing persons, requesting that compensation be extended fairly to those reported missing, noting that in such circumstances they are unlikely to be found.
- The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB
AI summary The Deputy Minister of Defence outlined the State’s disaster response under the Sri Lanka Disaster Management Act and the National Disaster Management Strategic Plan, stating that the President convened the National Disaster Management Council on the 27th and directed coordinated action by the Tri-Forces, Police, Civil Security Department, ministries and district authorities. He reported large-scale deployments by the Army, Navy and Air Force for rescue and relief operations, and cited earlier preparedness measures including tsunami early-warning drills and public briefings on safe centres and emergency routes. He argued that repeated disasters show the need to restore natural defences and enforce environmental protections more effectively, and acknowledged support from Sri Lankans overseas, India, Pakistan, and international partners.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural