The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence

¶ 01 [5.22 p.m.]

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, following the severe disaster situation our country faced, all arms of the State machinery have been acting. With the onset of the emergency, the National Disaster Management Strategic Plan operated very effectively at the national level under the Sri Lanka Disaster Management Act. We clearly understood that the impact of this disaster posed a major threat to national security, and we acted accordingly.

¶ 03 The National Disaster Management framework, as well as the Tri-Forces Commanders, have strong knowledge of disaster management. The Tri-Forces and especially the Police possess significant strategic capability for disaster response. Accordingly, on the 27th, the Hon. President convened the National Disaster Management Council and issued strategic directions to relevant stakeholders, saving many lives. Owing to the expertise and preparedness, we were able to act decisively. The Tri-Forces, Police, and the Civil Security Department together rescued many people and directed them to safe centres. Members of the Armed Forces and Police, with dedication, courage and commitment, rendered invaluable service. Working with all ministries and across all affected districts, they continue a massive effort, risking their lives, working day and night in relief operations.

¶ 04 Briefly on force deployments: the Army positioned around 45,000 personnel, and even now about 4,000 Army officers and other ranks are engaged. During the acute phase, the Navy deployed nearly 15,000 personnel and still about 600 are on duty. The Air Force had close to 500 personnel engaged for the needs of approximately 14,000 affected persons, and currently about 2,400 Air Force personnel are deployed.

¶ 05 Hon. Presiding Member, we have lived through floods, landslides, storms, cyclones and droughts before, but we have not learnt lessons from those. Sri Lanka was once a nation protected by nature, by thick forests, stable hills, deep-rooted vegetations, natural drainage systems, wetlands and waterways that carried excess rainwater safely to the rivers and the sea. We have destroyed all; we have weakened every natural defence the Island had against disasters. That has been due to negligence over the years. Environmental laws are applied only against selective crowds or not at all. Leaderships changed, but priorities never changed with the lessons learnt. So, this will be a national turning point. Our Government, together with state officers, is undertaking a major effort to lift the country out of this calamity.

¶ 06 I must also highlight our preparedness. On 5th November, we conducted a tsunami early-warning drill in Jaffna, Batticaloa and Kalutara. On 4th November, we held a special media briefing to inform the public about identified safe centres and emergency routes. We were prepared.

¶ 07 Also, I must mention the commitment of our employees working abroad. They collected funds from their own earnings, from their restaurants and businesses, and even donated their salaries. What a commitment! That shows their affection and love for their countrymen. I record our appreciation.

¶ 08 I also acknowledge the leadership of the Hon. President as Commander-in-Chief during this national crisis. From our military education, we know leaders in crises face huge challenges and must decide at critical hours. The Hon. President provided tireless strategic direction from the first minute he received the warning, working through the operations room established at Army Headquarters under the Army Commander. The Tri-Forces have full confidence in his exemplary leadership; we must commend his strategic direction.

¶ 09 I also note the involvement of India and Pakistan. Despite historical differences, they set aside the past and came together to help Sri Lanka. We appreciate both India and Pakistan for their assistance at this time of need. Foreign dignitaries also appreciated our resilience, including the UN Resident Coordinator.

¶ 10 We have decided to establish a special programme to streamline the national disaster management system. Under the President’s leadership, the National Disaster Management Council, which met this month, has planned for all related institutions, ministries and volunteer organizations to operate under a unified command and coordination mechanism. We are formulating an integrated work plan considering national physical needs and systems. Through a multipronged approach, we will implement special programmes for landslide-prone estate regions and the Kalukara areas, and bring them under this integrated framework. We have identified Sri Lanka’s central fragile areas and are preparing a management plan.

¶ 11 We have appointed a committee to amend the Sri Lanka Disaster Management Act to establish an integrated national disaster management mechanism. For command and control, we will bring together all relevant institutions for agriculture, irrigation, highways, livestock and housing, to design a structured, strategic work plan to reduce the impact of future disasters. During this period, the National Building Research Organization and the National Disaster Relief Services Centre rendered significant service on behalf of our affected people.

¶ 12 Our Tri-Forces, Police, Special Task Force and Civil Security Department have the special capability to act efficiently during such disasters. Out of 25 districts, 22 were affected, yet no area was neglected. Special naval and air force units, and the Police STF, went even at night into areas with severe flooding and strong currents to rescue our people. We must value that. Regrettably, several naval personnel died in the North while attempting to widen waterways, and we also lost one of our Air Force pilots during this disaster. The Hon. President and all of us convey our condolences.

¶ 13 Hon. Presiding Member, whatever is said, we were very well prepared to face this disaster. Going forward, we will establish the necessary strategic mechanisms to face such calamities with greater strength. With that, I conclude my brief remarks.

¶ 14 Thank you very much.