The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, we are debating today the Adjournment Motion on the country’s current situation following the disaster caused by extreme weather.

¶ 02 Although many parts of Sri Lanka were badly affected, the hill country has been among the worst hit. People from estate areas have been displaced and are staying in schools and temples. Now, the Government asks them to return home without ensuring basic facilities. They left only after authorities declared their places unsafe. What meaning is there in telling them to go back before proper NBRO reports are obtained? They should be sent only after proper certification.

¶ 03 People displaced from Vaewandan area are now staying at Gamini Dissanayake Vidyalaya. They are being asked to move to the Thondaman Vocational Training Institute, other schools, or back to houses. I request that decisions be made considering their situation. Protests were held recently in several hill country areas including Norwood’s Stock Farm and Vaewandan because of these issues.

¶ 04 I also wish to raise the long-standing matters discussed during the Second Reading of the 2026 Budget regarding estate workers’ wages and land. Members of the NPP said estate workers face many problems and must get a pay rise; they also live in line rooms and deserve a better life, and their land issues must be resolved by granting seven perches for housing. They said they are not willing to move to Jaffna or Batticaloa; they want to remain in the hills—their homeland. Hon. Minister Samantha Vidyaratna, please engage directly with estate companies to resolve this. It could not be done during our time; please do it now. Sri Lanka has about 103,000 hectares under tea and rubber. Allocating seven perches per worker would require only about 5,000 acres—this will not harm the companies. These people are Sri Lankans too. Please proceed to allocate land and housing so they can be permanently settled. Our community cannot continue as a marginalized society.

¶ 05 Schools were said to be reopening. In the Central Province, they announced 1,531 schools reopened, including 551 in Nuwara Eliya. That is not entirely correct. For example, Oxford Tamil Vidyalaya in Wattegama is closed due to an earth slip. Students are being sent to two other schools; that is fine as a temporary measure, but new buildings must be constructed.

¶ 06 I also request that those 1,162 who are eligible for appointment as Principals be appointed. We now hear that only those over 50 may be appointed; then others may lose eligibility. Please appoint all 1,162 now.

¶ 07 We thank the Government of India for its consistent immediate assistance during disasters. Recently, many from outside districts sent relief to Nuwara Eliya. Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi sent three lorries; Hon. Sumanthiran sent relief from Jaffna. In many places, public donations exceeded Government supplies. We thank the people. While lives have been lost, the Government bears a heavy responsibility to safeguard others and to look ahead. This is not easy work, but we will cooperate if you carry this burden and act well. Thank you.