The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, within my six minutes, I wish to draw attention to issues in the Kandy District that I represent. Our district recorded some of the highest fatalities and the broadest spread of damage. Today, the NBRO issued red notices for landslides in Ududumbara, Medadumbara and Doluwa. With over 200 mm of rainfall reported in Ududumbara, I raise these points.

¶ 02 The President told Parliament that Rs. 25,000 would be paid as an initial grant to affected persons. However, implementation has been poor. As of 15 December, 51,596 families in Kandy District were reported affected, but funds have been allocated for only 21,431 families—meaning roughly 30,000 affected families in Kandy have not had Rs. 25,000 allocated. Hon. Minister Vijitha Herath, a senior Minister in this Government, is here; I respectfully request his attention. Less than 50% of affected families in Kandy have been provided for, despite the circular stating full-damaged, partially damaged, and even minorly flooded households are eligible.

¶ 03 District Secretariat figures show that in some DS divisions less than 20% of eligible families have been paid. In Udapalatha DS, although funds were allocated for 3,000 families, only 627 have been paid so far. In Pasbage Korale DS, 1,000 families were allocated but only 329 paid. In Panvila, 1,105 were allocated but only 248 paid. In Ududumbara, 800 allocated but 143 paid. In Minipe, 1,000 allocated but 344 paid. This Rs. 25,000 is vital because people have lost nearly everything, yet even this initial grant is delayed. Please expedite.

¶ 04 I visited several camps in Doluwa. In Rajathalawa village, 321 families are displaced and currently staying at Panchawilatenna Sri Ransingharama Viharaya. To date, no Government assistance has reached that camp. I must place on record the service of the Venerable Mihilapitiye Sumana Thero and villagers who have supported these 321 families with food and essentials, in the absence of state support.

¶ 05 Also, a key road—Gurukale to Godawatta past the Ellerton Hotel—has about one kilometre collapsed; please attend to this promptly.

¶ 06 On Gampola Municipal Council: much has been said in the media. The SJB’s Mayor Iruka Weeraratne and SJB organizer Asela Amarasekera undertook massive tasks after the disaster. Normally, about 15 tons of garbage are removed daily; after the disaster there were about 25,000 tons within municipal limits. In three weeks, they had to remove roughly 1,300 tons per day—an enormous task with limited resources. I believe about 75% of Gampola city was flooded. With only 60 staff, one backhoe, and two tractors, they have removed about 75% of the debris to date, with assistance from colleagues, including members from Kattankudy and Bentara municipal bodies who came to help. I record my thanks and conclude.