The Hon. Upul Kithsiri

¶ 01 Mr. Speaker, I thank Opposition MP Hon. Waruna Liyanage for bringing this Adjournment Motion on the flood situation affecting Ratnapura District. Among districts in Sri Lanka, Ratnapura can almost be identified as the district of floods, where floods are discussed annually, predictably. By the time April passes, people anticipate floods. The saying is that about 45 days after Sinhala New Year, floods inevitably come. Even the natural environment signals impending floods in May. For thousands of years, water falling on Samanala Range flows rapidly to the low and flat lands of Ratnapura; people are used to it. Some build houses leaving the ground floor to be sacrificed to floods.

¶ 02 Sometimes they skip a cultivation season. In major floods, some houses have flood marks recorded. Thus, annual flooding is a tragedy intertwined with the people of Ratnapura. I believe even the home of the Hon. Mover is affected by floods. I thank you again for bringing this Motion. If the Government can prepare a response with a plan in a short time, that would be the greatest service to the people of Ratnapura.

¶ 03 Due to these floods, low-lying areas in Ratnapura, Kuruwita, Ayagama, Kalawana, Nivithigala and Eheliyagoda go under water. At various times, technical assessments and discussions have been held and various proposals made. Therefore, bringing this Motion now is good. If a solution can be found for the annual suffering of the people of Ratnapura, we, as a Government, will be very happy.

¶ 04 The Hon. Deputy Minister of Lands and Irrigation is present. We believe, through discussions with him, a sustainable solution can be found for the people of Ratnapura. We will have to implement several proposals—one, two, three or four—to free the people from the flood threat.

¶ 05 As a Member affected by this disaster, I thank Opposition Hon. Waruna Liyanage again for bringing this Motion, and I propose that we work with the Government to resolve this for the people of Ratnapura. Thank you, I resume my seat.