The Hon. Kins Nelson

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, many Hon. Members and Ministers from the Government side who spoke earlier on this cyclone alleged that those who spoke used this as an occasion for politics. I must recall this: the Sri Lanka Disaster Management Act, No. 13 of 2005, clearly provides for an Executive Committee established by the President, and it states this National Council should meet at least once in three months. Under the leadership of the President, it met on 6th August 2025. Section 11(1) also provides that when a national disaster situation is imminent, the Committee must be convened to explain the weather situation to the people. This Committee last met on 6th August 2025. It met again on the 16th after the calamity. The Hon. President did not convene this Committee when the situation was developing. I am pointing out this shortcoming.

¶ 02 The Hon. President came to Parliament on the 27th. When he came on the 27th, Ministers from the Government, Opposition MPs, including the Leader of the Opposition, and all of us went to the Committee Room and explained the issues in our constituencies. I asked about the water levels in Moragahakanda and Parakrama Samudraya. At that time, the Manampitiya bridge was submerged and only one route was passable. We explained all that to the President. Members outlined the problems in their districts on the 27th. By the 28th, a large part of the country was affected by the calamity.

¶ 03 In Polonnaruwa, which I represent, paddy cultivation was devastated. Over 4,000 hectares of paddy were destroyed in Polonnaruwa. Nationally, 615,000 hectares were cultivated; of that, 108,000 hectares have been completely destroyed. Arrangements have been made to provide Rs. 150,000 per hectare. Hon. Presiding Member, in Polonnaruwa, water for land preparation was issued on 1st November; the major floods came on the 28th. Within 27 days, our farmers prepared fields, applied fertilizer, procured seed paddy, and transplanted—spending at least Rs. 160,000–170,000 per hectare. Therefore, Rs. 150,000 per hectare is insufficient. The President mentioned large figures, but those are not practical. I stress that the amounts allocated to paddy, big onion and vegetable farmers are inadequate. If a farmer spent Rs. 170,000–180,000 per hectare, then Rs. 150,000 per hectare will not suffice.

¶ 04 In some fields, even a quarter of the plot cannot be salvaged. In Polonnaruwa, there are fields filled with sand deposits and others completely covered with rocks and debris. Special attention is required.

¶ 05 Regarding the Rs. 25,000 household relief: it is being implemented in some areas, but in Polonnaruwa there are 10,922 eligible houses; funds have been allocated only for 10,137, leaving 785 without allocations. As of yesterday, only 6,230 of those 10,137 households had received funds. I urge that funds be expedited. This is only the first round of Rs. 25,000. In addition, in Polonnaruwa alone, there are 3,907 more houses needing the Rs. 25,000. Please allocate urgently.

¶ 06 The President also stated that, in addition to the Rs. 25,000, a further Rs. 50,000 would be given, totaling Rs. 75,000. However, a new circular says the Rs. 50,000 will be given based on the condition of houses. That is not what the President publicly announced. Therefore, implement what was said: give Rs. 75,000 as promised. If more can be given, even better. My request is to fulfill the needs of the displaced people promptly.