The Hon. (Ms.) Krishnan Kalaichelvi

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, today’s motion of adjournment concerns the present situation after the Cyclone “Titli” disaster last month on the 27th and 28th. We offer condolences to all who lost their lives and sympathy to all affected.

¶ 02 Twenty-two districts were impacted, particularly Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Matale, Kegalle, and Kandy. Many in the hill country faced severe distress. In places with 200-year-old roads and settlements, hill-country residents have been gravely affected. Visiting affected areas, we saw people living in fear, anxious that even slight cracks in their homes could be catastrophic. Many still live in safe shelters. This natural disaster has taught all in this country that if we act against nature, one day nature will respond.

¶ 03 As a Member representing Nuwara Eliya, I must note hard-hit areas such as Walapane, Kotmale, and Hanguranketha. Families on hill-slopes now have no houses or roads and struggle to survive. Settlements are cut off; roads connecting communities are destroyed. We visited to coordinate needed services, especially in densely populated estate areas, and found people afraid to stay in their old houses. Even with structural engineers, we fear recommending resettlement in the same vulnerable places. Unplanned settlements and construction are root causes.

¶ 04 We are pleased that the President has used this opportunity to meet affected hill-country residents and committed to plans for relocating them to safe areas—this must be realized.

¶ 05 In past disasters, individuals and groups acted separately to help. This time, from the President and Prime Minister to Ministers, Deputy Ministers, MPs, local councillors, public servants—District and Divisional Secretaries, development officers—and unaffected citizens, as well as the Tri-Forces and Police, all worked together to rescue people. Civil organizations and others also cooperated. Within 22 days we restored the country substantially because of this unity.

¶ 06 Previously, aid from abroad did not always reach people. Now, with trust that this government and President will not lie, waste, or plunder public funds, countries, organizations, businesses, and Sri Lankans overseas are helping.

¶ 07 I highlight a historic gesture: estate workers living below the poverty line—in Maskeliya’s Hapugastenna—donated one day’s wage to the President for relief, trusting his leadership. Likewise, estate workers broadly have volunteered a day’s wage to restore affected lives. I record heartfelt thanks and respect to hill-country estate workers.