The Hon. Mano Ganesan

¶ 01 [3.40 p.m.]

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, we all know the fatalities, injuries, and loss of homes and assets in this calamity. I won’t repeat numbers. I urge Government attention: while many districts were affected, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, and Matale suffered heavy landslides; especially the hill-country Tamil community and estate workers living on slopes bore severe impacts, including deaths and home loss. These are among the most socio-economically deprived in our country; they need special attention.

¶ 03 We need special attention because these are underdeveloped, high-risk communities. I have raised this earlier: resolve their land issues; provide safe lands. Their residences should be relocated from hilltops to safer, accessible areas—not only for landslide safety but to integrate them into national life, services, towns, roads, and public administration, so they do not remain isolated.

¶ 04 Many displaced in the hills and those districts are now in camps. Estate companies, using officials and the Plantation Human Development Trust, are pressuring them to return because they need labour. But our people need life and safety before property and work. Government intervention is required to prevent coercion, and to secure safe lands for permanent resettlement. This disaster should finally resolve the long-standing hill-country land rights issue.

¶ 05 Relief is appreciated; also shifting people out of schools to resume education is fine. But above all, allocate safe lands so people can live with dignity. If necessary, the Government could use Emergency Regulations to acquire lands; what is essential is political will.

¶ 06 On 5th, when the President addressed the House, most Opposition members walked out; I stayed, listened, and later discussed this land issue with him. He acknowledged the need for land and asked where it could be found. I said “in the estates; we will help identify.” I reiterate my readiness to assist in locating safe lands. The Government has the authority; we in the Opposition can monitor and point needs. Please act so the hill-country Tamil people can live safely in this country. Thank you.