The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, the severe disaster and its aftermath have greatly affected the people. As I have said before, this country has not preserved nature properly. Past leaders failed to take precautions to protect the environment, and the present government too failed to take certain preparatory actions. These are key reasons for the scale of this disaster.

¶ 02 This disaster has clearly shown that this country lacks properly trained forces for saving lives and limiting damage during disasters. Instead, Indian forces and others had to come to ensure our people’s safety—creating a new chapter in which foreign militaries step in. Normally, a country’s Army, Navy, Air Force, and Police should be fully trained for such events. While our forces functioned, it is clear they lacked certain capabilities.

¶ 03 When disasters occur in the South, greater priority is given than in the North and East—Ampara, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Jaffna, Vavuniya, Mannar, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi. Recently I visited Neduntheevu; people there wept describing their losses. They said even assistance promised to them had been halted. They have no telecom or regular transport. Even now, services to Neduntheevu are not steady; roads for ground access are badly damaged. People in Eluvaithivu, Nainativu, and Analaitivu face similar hardships. These too deserve top priority.

¶ 04 While the Hon. President often speaks of democracy, magnanimity, and service to the people, the ground reality has shifted so much that even ruling-party affiliates engage in lawlessness. A tireless Grama Niladhari was assaulted by an MP of the NPP (1411), and in Pallikuda, government supporters hurled abuse and obstructed Grama Niladharis. Such incidents continue.

¶ 05 I wish to comment on a recent circular. On 22 August 2025, the Presidential Secretariat issued PS/DASA/Circular/07/2025 on “Prajashakthi” – National Movement for Poverty Alleviation. It brings under one umbrella MPs, Provincial, Municipal, Urban, and Pradeshiya Sabha members, ostensibly to alleviate poverty and propose development. But if so, what is the role of already-elected local representatives? Why are ministers and their secretaries being empowered while elected MPs are sidelined? If the President’s circular does not grant space to MPs, Mayors, and Chairpersons, why maintain these elected bodies? You might as well dissolve them.

¶ 06 After decades of armed struggle, you embraced elections and democracy. But now you sideline Parliament, Municipalities, and Provincial Councils to appoint those you prefer under presidential authority. Is this democracy or naked authoritarianism? In our very sight, members of “Prajashakthi” are engaging in high-handed acts. You empower the Divisional Coordination Committee Chair to appoint whoever he likes to head the Grama Niladhari division committee. What law or democratic principle is this?

¶ 07 In each ward there is an elected local representative. Yet a person rejected by voters is appointed as Prajashakthi divisional head. Is this democracy or justice? It is blatant abuse. We expect a just government with honorable political conduct.

¶ 08 You claimed to serve grassroots people differently from traditional elites; we welcomed that. But if, upon taking power, you copy past excesses—ruling by fiat—what was your election mandate for? Respect the people’s representatives. Many Gram Sabha majorities exist; grant them recognition. If you believe only the decisions of presidential appointees or Divisional Coordination Chairs constitute development, that is neither democratic nor just.

¶ 09 If you truly want cooperation to recover from disaster and are seeking international aid, then act democratically, tell the truth, and uphold justice. We expect your good-faith actions soon. Thank you.