The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti – Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, this disaster affected a large number of our people and also many enterprises. Prior to the disaster, our Ministry had commenced a data-gathering programme on industries and enterprises, which helped us rapidly assess damages afterwards. As of yesterday, 29,649 enterprises were registered in our system; we have already verified on-site damages for over 10,000.

¶ 02 By size: about 12,300 micro, 9,844 small, 6,644 medium, and 861 large enterprises; among them, 685 are export-oriented. We are implementing a special Government programme for revival. Regardless of whether businesses were previously formally registered, through Divisional Secretariats, Grama Niladharis and our ground officers we are registering affected enterprises now. Each registered, verified enterprise receives an initial Rs. 200,000 grant. Yesterday evening, the Finance Ministry provided our Ministry Rs. 10 billion. We have already released Rs. 10.5 billion to 9,628 enterprises across 17 districts and will continue over the next two weeks. Within the total, 2,498 are in agri-related businesses and 634 in tourism; a further 8,265 are under a “general” category. We are disbursing to all verified categories.

¶ 03 Additionally, yesterday we convened bank CEOs, lending-institution officers, Central Bank representatives, and Finance Ministry officials to design support. Those with existing loans will receive a 3–6 month moratorium without additional interest or fees; banks have now issued the necessary guidelines. Affected borrowers should approach their banks.

¶ 04 We know many cannot yet focus on paperwork; therefore we have issued hotline numbers and QR codes and publicized widely. Still, many more are likely eligible. We request all Members to inform affected businesses in your areas to complete the simple form and submit.

¶ 05 The Central Bank has also issued guidance for concessional loans at around 3% interest. As per the President’s Budget, Rs. 80 billion will be made available for enterprise and industry lending at about 3%. We will share our registry data with banks and coordinate continuously.

¶ 06 On reconstruction, large volumes of sand, gravel, and soil will be needed. We are relaxing procedures where appropriate. The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau under our Ministry has issued circulars to Divisional Secretaries and District Secretaries to use expedited processes during the disaster period rather than lengthy fee-based procedures, to clear deposited silt in paddy fields and rivers and to enable supply for rebuilding.

¶ 07 As Chairman of the Matara and Batticaloa District Coordinating Committees, I also note: in Matara, even 150–180 mm of rain usually triggers floods via Nilwala Ganga; in Galle via Gin Ganga. This time, starting April, we cleaned the Nilwala from Akuressa to Matara—34 km—for the first time in 25 years, which helped us manage flooding and allowed us to send over 40 drivers, vehicles, and more than 40 JCBs from Matara’s local bodies to assist in Badulla. RDA, PRDA, CEB, NWSDB officials, the Tri-Forces, and about 4,000 volunteers worked tirelessly; I thank them sincerely. The media also played a vital role informing the public.

¶ 08 Local authorities across party lines helped; for example, Weligama PS leadership from the Opposition cooperated fully, and our District Secretary coordinated effectively.

¶ 09 In Batticaloa, although the damage was less, 14 DS divisions and 257 GN divisions were affected, with agricultural and fisheries losses and four deaths. A total of 13,972 families (41,346 persons) were affected; 11 houses fully damaged and 832 partially damaged. Infrastructure damage is estimated at Rs. 6,612 million. We operated 21 safe camps for 1,428 families (3,998 persons). As of this morning, we have paid Rs. 25,000 each to 12,466 families—totalling Rs. 311,650,000—for home cleaning. Additionally, we have disbursed Rs. 53,513,200 for dry rations, Rs. 10,300,000 for cooked meals, Rs. 4,000,000 for death benefits, and Rs. 800,000 for fuel.

¶ 10 I especially thank the Mayor of Batticaloa Municipal Council for his support and for deploying equipment and staff to other local bodies as well, and the Mayor of Kattankudy for his voluntary assistance.