The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, an Adjournment Motion is a special privilege for backbenchers to add our knowledge to the proposal, and I rise in that spirit.

¶ 02 Some may wonder why a Member from the Eastern Province speaks on a Western flood issue. The mover correctly pointed to global climatic conditions as the core cause—extreme rainfall in some places and drought in others. We must approach this scientifically: gather long-term rainfall and hydrological data, study decadal changes, and design solutions accordingly. Even this Parliament once flooded; I remember carrying family members out when our home went under due to Kelani’s overflow.

¶ 03 Crises can be reframed as opportunities. Where river outfalls to the sea are insufficient in width or gradient, we may have to repump retained waters, hold them behind embankments, and even utilize them for hydropower where feasible.

¶ 04 I see one limitation in the motion: it is geographically narrow. These issues are nationwide. We should consider a dedicated Parliamentary Oversight Committee to address climate-change-induced disasters, enabling backbenchers to engage with Secretaries and experts, aligned with UN Sustainable Development frameworks and international funding for disaster risk reduction. Such a committee could secure external support and coordinate scientific assessments and solutions. Let us broaden this effort beyond a single basin. Thank you.