The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, we regret that Parliament Members were not allowed even an extra 30 minutes to express views. Traditionally, on occasions like this, the lunch break time is also used for the debate, so we can explain to affected people what the Government intends to do. However, since over a thousand lives have been lost and millions have lost property and belongings, we will support the Government’s Rs. 500 billion Supplementary Estimate. But we must also examine the Government’s preparedness before the disaster and its post-disaster actions.

¶ 02 We thank the people of this country. They came forward before the Government to provide food and relief to victims. Temples, mosques, churches prepared meals; the Government followed the people. I recall during the Tsunami how the people of the central hills helped those on the coast; today the south, north and coastal communities helped those affected elsewhere. In Divisional Secretariats we saw stocks of goods collected – not Government funds, but people’s donations.

¶ 03 The Government must be accountable for these deaths. Warnings were issued from as early as November 11 by the Department of Meteorology; the Irrigation Director also warned lower areas to be alert. But the Government took no action until the cyclone struck on the 26th; only on the 27th did they convene meetings. Why? In previous times, we had a separate Minister for Disaster Management. Today, the President is also Minister of Defence, Finance, Digital Economy and Disaster Management, overseeing 171 institutions. This is an abdication of responsibility; with so many institutions under him, his attention was not focused, leading to this situation. We hear that the Meteorology DG has been warned by the Defence Secretary not to appear before the media; we have not seen the DG before media after the disaster. This is authoritarian rule.

¶ 04 The Irrigation DG warned of possible floods in low areas. The Government should have instructed opening spill gates proactively at Kotmale, Randenigala, Victoria – gradually releasing water to mitigate impact. That was not done. Instead, officials who sounded warnings are being targeted.

¶ 05 The Government is now seeking Rs. 500 billion. During the Yahapalana period we introduced national disaster insurance under the National Insurance Trust Fund with Rs. 1.5 billion allocated by then Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, and paid out for every disaster. This Government abandoned such insurance mechanisms and did not pay premiums; had they done so, there would be no need for this Supplementary Estimate, as insurance would pay.

¶ 06 Departments warned the Government on November 11, but the first meeting was only on November 27, after the disaster. The Opposition Leader asked to declare a state of emergency; that was only done on November 29. The President announced an assistance package in Parliament on December 5 – a full week later – but instructions to officials were sent only on December 14 by the Defence Secretary. Houses were inundated on the 27th, but only 18 days later were instructions and funds given to clean houses. They have given only Rs. 25,000 so far. The President said “we will give Rs. 1 million even for lost roofing sheets,” but the Government Spokesman, the Health Minister, said only roofing sheets would be given, not cash. Empty talk.

¶ 07 This Government is acting very slowly. There is also political interference. The Grama Niladhari association has said there is unprecedented political meddling; some JVP MPs are allegedly interfering, leading to GNs in some areas like Matale Yatawatta stepping away from duties. In Badulla too. Next, they are talking about recommendations from the “Praja Shakthi Committee” – which is a JVP committee – to identify recipients. Even assistance is being politicized. We urge the Government to stop political interference. The Disaster Management Act provides for establishing proper funds. On 6th August, a committee decided to allocate Rs. 10 million and appoint a secretary; this was not done – reflecting Government inaction.

¶ 08 Hon. Deputy Speaker, grant me one more minute. Instead of empowering officials and statutory committees, the Government has appointed a separate money committee including businessmen who funded the Government, bypassing officials. Do you not trust the public officials? When officials are sidelined—

¶ 09 Hon. Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, your time is up.

¶ 10 We ask the Government to act immediately. The WFP has warned of looming food insecurity. Farmers have been badly affected. Establish immediate mechanisms to compensate submerged fields and destroyed crops; otherwise this effort will fail and people will go hungry. The Government lacked preparedness and is mishandling the aftermath. With that charge, I conclude.