The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem.

¶ 02 Hon. Deputy Speaker, the recent disaster is of such magnitude that any government would be overwhelmed. There is no point in mere criticism, but we are entitled to point out shortcomings.

¶ 03 Across the country, people and religious organizations generously assisted the affected. As a Kandy District MP, I must acknowledge the leadership of our District Development Committee Chairman, Hon. Minister K.D. Lal Kantha, Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Hon. Deputy Minister Nalin Hewage and others. Our Chief Opposition Whip, Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka, brought machinery to remove debris. Hon. Fasmin Sharif, MP from Gampola, joined me at several meetings on urgent measures. I also thank the Akkaraipattu Mayor and former Minister Hon. A.L.M. Athaullah; Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah, MP, who came with the entire Kattankudy UC team; the Chairmen of Addalaichenai PS (Mr. A.S.M. Uwais), Eravur UC and former MP Hon. M.S. Naleem; Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe, MP; and Mr. S.M.M. Musharraf, Chairman of Pottuvil PS. They all brought heavy machinery to clear massive piles of garbage in the worst-affected Gampola area, and in Gelioya, Kalugamuwa and other areas in Udunuwara and Udapalatha.

¶ 04 Although the local authorities of Udapalatha and Gampola are under the Opposition, the Government also cooperated with us to shoulder the burden. However, the disaster relief machinery has been slow; the administrative apparatus took time to respond and relief has not sufficiently reached people, as Hon. (Dr.) Hizbullah noted yesterday.

¶ 05 I must highlight the situation at Al-Hikma School, Andiyakadawatte, which suffered a massive landslide. It must be relocated. Likewise, Rambukwella School has been badly affected and should be moved. Immediate disaster recovery measures must be taken by the Ministries of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, and Health and Mass Media. Wattegama Hospital should also be shifted immediately.

¶ 06 We need a quick needs assessment. I urged a donor conference on the first day; the Government has now announced one, and the World Bank has sanctioned a needs assessment mission. Local officers must rapidly assist, not only to restore infrastructure but also to build future disaster resilience.

¶ 07 We should revive earlier multilateral-funded programmes like the Climate Resilient Infrastructure Project, supported by the World Bank, ADB and bilateral donors; it must be put back on track to mobilize substantial funds.

¶ 08 When I suggested inviting former leaders to join in an appeal to the international community, some mocked me. Yet, it would have symbolic impact. Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has already met the Hon. Prime Minister and donated from the Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation. Other former Presidents could sit together with the current President for a common appeal. Time matters, as global attention quickly shifts – with Ukraine and Gaza ongoing. We should leverage our close neighbours to lead the donor effort and expedite it.

¶ 09 We also need an urban regeneration plan for Gampola with proper drainage, with UDA and SLLRDC assistance; Gelioya too, and nearby villages like Kalugamuwa and Parana Elpitiya require attention.

¶ 10 Regarding buffer zones along rivers like the Mahaweli and its tributaries, the NBRI, UDA, DMC, Irrigation Department, Mahaweli Authority and SLLRDC must jointly identify appropriate buffer zones – determining which houses remain, which must be relocated, which can be repaired – noting geography and elevation vary.

¶ 11 On insurance, regulators must ensure insurers do not evade flood/cyclone claims by relying on narrow policy wording. Reinsurance exists to mitigate their risk; regulators must monitor payouts to affected policyholders.

¶ 12 Finally, as to schools: 140 schools in Kandy alone have been impacted; some must be relocated. Conduct a proper needs assessment quickly and consult school communities to ensure solutions are acceptable. I hope the Hon. President and Hon. Prime Minister will visit Kandy again to hear and address our issues.

¶ 13 Thank you.