The Hon. Arun Hemachandra – Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, first, I thank you for the opportunity to speak in this very timely debate.

¶ 02 Cyclone Ditwah and the resulting disaster constitute one of the most severe calamities in Sri Lanka’s recent history. I have two responsibilities here: to present matters related to my portfolio—Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment—and, as Chairman of the Trincomalee District Coordinating Committee, to brief the House on what transpired in our district and what we did.

¶ 03 Before we came to office, the Opposition relentlessly criticized our foreign policy. However, the assistance we received in recent days—from foreign countries, organizations, and international NGOs in the form of aid and technical support—has made such criticism ethically untenable.

¶ 04 I wish to place on record the sincere appreciation of the Government and the people of Sri Lanka of all the friendly nations, international organizations and humanitarian partners who extended timely assistance following Cyclone Ditwah. The support provided in the form of emergency relief, technical expertise and financial assistance significantly strengthened our national response efforts and was extended with respect for Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and national mechanisms.

¶ 05 All assistance was coordinated through established Government channels to ensure transparency, efficiency and alignment with assessed needs. On behalf of this House, I convey our gratitude to the international community for the solidarity, cooperation and goodwill shown to Sri Lanka during this difficult time. Our Hon. Minister Vijitha Herath is also present; he will elaborate further on international support.

¶ 06 Regarding Trincomalee: since the President assumed office last September, over the past 15 months we have systematically strengthened disaster management at the district level, maintaining direct coordination with the District Secretariat, Divisional Secretariats, and the Disaster Management Centre. We have never undermined existing mechanisms or rushed to distribute goods for cameras.

¶ 07 Cyclone Ditwah formed around 26–27 November. We had prepared in advance. Trincomalee has 11 DS divisions; from 4 to 20 November we convened disaster preparedness meetings across all DS areas, anticipating potential events in December due to our Bay of Bengal proximity. Still, the impact exceeded expectations. Notably, in Trincomalee and Kinniya DS areas, which usually flood, this time they did not to the same extent because over the last 13 months we invested properly in drainage and stormwater systems using funds from multiple channels. We allocated a significant share to disaster mitigation, including canals and drainage, based on scientific assessments.

¶ 08 When conditions escalated on 27 November, from that day until 6 December we convened at least one, often two, daily meetings of the District Disaster Management Steering Committee at the District Secretariat. Those unable to attend in person joined online. Through the DMC representatives, we maintained excellent district coordination. The Tri-Forces, Police, Department of Irrigation, Mahaweli Authority and others, including the Provincial Council and the Governor, worked in a coordinated effort to minimize damage. Fortunately, we recorded no deaths in our district.

¶ 09 We engaged communities along Mahaweli-adjacent settlements late into the night warning of rapid water rises. Some did not initially respond, but based on our information we airlifted around 260 persons, with five aircraft—Beechcraft, Bell 212s, and even the President’s Bell 412 VIP helicopter—tasked for quick response.

¶ 10 We had 80 camps, with 8,919 families (26,694 persons). For the Rs. 25,000 home-cleaning grant, we compiled the first-round lists, including 15,943 eligible families. As of 10.30 a.m. today, payments to 13,956 families—87%—have been completed. Early on, circular issues caused delays; payments had not previously been made to public officers or those abroad, but we have now decided to include them and are proceeding.

¶ 11 I thank all state and private institutions, the Tri-Forces and everyone who helped us implement these operations successfully. We express condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and sympathies to all affected.