The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya – Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, I have already been to Kandy and intend to return.

¶ 02 Today is 19 December, about three weeks since the “BOO” cyclone struck and Parliament now debates the Supplementary Estimate. We must consider how much intervention has happened within these weeks. Since 27 November, thanks to interventions by Government officials, the tri-forces, Police, the people, the international community, support from Opposition Members, and above all the leadership and guidance of the Hon. President, we have been able to bring the country to this point despite immense damage – especially to water, electricity and highways – across many provinces.

¶ 03 This remains a dynamic situation. Today we decided to close all schools in the Central Province; even normal rainfall may now trigger risk due to active landslide conditions. Decisions are taken with continuous monitoring.

¶ 04 We took short-term steps for rescue and protection, and are moving into the recovery phase while simultaneously planning for longer-term rebuilding. As Hon. Rauff Hakeem noted, some schools and villages may need relocation. This requires short-, medium- and long-term plans – likely over two to three years – and the Supplementary Estimate supports the work continuing through 2026. We have also set aside Rs. 75 billion in 2025 and Rs. 500 billion in 2026 without derailing macroeconomic targets or increasing debt unsustainably. This fiscal space arises from sound economic management.

¶ 05 We have received great support from the international community, Sri Lankans abroad, private entities and citizens – donations in kind, funds, and voluntary service. Many say their trust in this Government enables them to help confidently. We must preserve that trust in our recovery and fundraising.

¶ 06 On education: as of the 17th, based on provisional data, 1,382 Government schools have been directly affected, mainly in Central, Uva and Sabaragamuwa. While many schools reopened to restore a sense of normalcy and psychosocial wellbeing for children, about 606 remained closed then; today, with Central closed again, the number is higher. Some schools serve as shelters. Our instruction to principals and teachers is not to rush to traditional teaching/exams to cover syllabi, but to prioritize students’ mental health and social wellbeing.

¶ 07 A/L exams were ongoing; we rescheduled the remaining seven days. O/Ls are scheduled for February; special support will be provided. All affected students will receive Rs. 25,000 – Rs. 10,000 from the President’s Fund and Rs. 15,000 from the Treasury – for books, uniforms and essentials.

¶ 08 Universities were also affected – particularly Peradeniya, with significant damage to the Veterinary Medicine & Animal Science Faculty, Agriculture Faculty, gymnasium, swimming pool and labs; several servers were destroyed. A special UGC committee is assessing this. An instructive lesson: buildings from the Sir Ivor Jennings era suffered minimal damage because they were planned and sited scientifically. We must rebuild and relocate on scientific, environmental and standards-based foundations to reduce risk.

¶ 09 Technical colleges and vocational training centres – Pulathisipura, Peradeniya, Mahaceliya, Sariputta, and centres at Ranchella, Kala Oya, Mullaitivu and Peradeniya – also suffered damages to buildings and equipment, including school computer labs. The Digital Task Force is conducting infrastructure assessments and private firms have begun assisting.

¶ 10 Disaster recovery has phases: rescue, relief, recovery, and rebuild – we are proceeding step by step, data- and assessment-driven. We pledge, together, to rebuild the country, protect lives, and restore normalcy with the solidarity shown over these three weeks.

¶ 11 Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker.