The Hon. Amila Prasad

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, during this disaster, the flooding in Mirigama, Divulapitiya, Katana and Negombo areas was primarily due to the Ma Oya overflowing. We must look ahead. No Government has yet executed a comprehensive irrigation scheme for Ma Oya. I propose a major irrigation project to divert water to the North Western Province to reduce flood damage here while alleviating water scarcity in the North Central and adjoining areas. Similarly, from Gampaha upwards, the major flow from the Attanagalu Oya runs without integration into a proper irrigation system; the Government should prioritize this as well.

¶ 02 There are many shortcomings we observed. First, prioritization failures: high flood-level markings and measurement benchmarks in Gampaha and upstream Kegalle must be updated. As a second proposal, please implement a systematic marking of maximum flood levels along Ma Oya. Divisional Secretaries currently depend on word-of-mouth from upstream. Also, re-establish reservation demarcations along rivers; while State lands have some marks, private lands generally do not, leading to permanent structures being built too close. Even if existing structures cannot be removed, new construction should adhere to proper setbacks. The key lesson is to minimize future impact by planning now.

¶ 03 Third, across the country, classify zones: areas suitable for settlement, industry, and agriculture, and those unsuitable for settlement. Provide guidance to agencies accordingly. Failures here have created many present problems.

¶ 04 Post-disaster, in Mirigama and Divulapitiya, 100 and 70 houses respectively have been identified for relocation. In “at-risk” as well as “potential risk” zones, residents are advised to clear drains, remove adjacent unstable soil, or regrade land—but they cannot afford it. If at least under a minimum-assistance scheme we can provide low-interest or deferred-payment support to undertake such immediate risk-mitigation works, it will help prevent repeat crises.

¶ 05 Although Circular 8/2025 was issued on full and partial housing damage, corresponding circulars from other agencies are pending, delaying budget releases. Another issue: beyond owners, many tenants have lost their dwellings. Please ensure assistance does not abruptly displace tenants from their social environment.

¶ 06 On business impacts, both minor and major damages exist. If businesses do not restart quickly, an economic crisis will follow. I suggest loan moratoria or concessional refinancing—perhaps two years with zero or low interest—so affected businesses can revive, because an economic collapse would be worse.

¶ 07 The President came to Parliament and spoke like Santa Claus—saying Rs. 100,000 for slabs, Rs. 500,000, Rs. 1,000,000, and so on. But even during the National Building Research Institute debate in September, when I asked for the policy on resettlement, no clear plan was presented. If people are to be resettled on new lands, they will inevitably spend less on land and more on the house, inviting future issues. A proper housing policy is required.

¶ 08 As an additional proposal, consider stacked housing—four units per floor, five floors—where appropriate near cities, as many countries do post-disaster. Use this crisis to create opportunity with urban-proximate housing projects, and focus Government attention on a clear resettlement mechanism.

¶ 09 Finally, had we assigned a number for Grama Niladharis to upload geo-tagged photos and videos from sites, relief operations could have been even more efficient. The absence of such digital tools from the Digital Economy Ministry is a notable shortcoming. Please ensure that ministry fulfills its mandate and focus on these needs. I conclude with these requests. Thank you.