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

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, due to the severe disaster situation caused by the Dicha cyclone, His Excellency the President declared a state of emergency on 28 November last year. The purpose of today’s debate is to obtain approval to extend it for a further month. We must discuss the gravity of the disaster situation. Although we have experienced disasters before, this time 22 districts were severely affected. Unprecedented levels of flooding occurred, there were severe landslides, and lives were lost. Private property, religious sites, especially schools, hospitals, government office buildings, highways, and railway lines, among other infrastructure, suffered extensive damage. Agriculture, tourism, and industries were also affected. Nearly 2 million people were displaced. At present, 6,037 houses are completely damaged, and about 108,000 houses are partially damaged. In such a national emergency, measures were taken to ensure public security, restore normalcy, protect the country, and continue essential services uninterrupted. For this, a unified effort is necessary. Accordingly, a Commissioner General of Essential Services has been appointed to continuously coordinate essential services.

¶ 02 The Leader of the Opposition referred to a letter signed by our Defence Secretary stating that the disaster situation ended on 15 December 2025. That letter informed that the Dicha cyclone event had ended. Any subsequent events would be decided and managed as they arise. It communicated the end of the cyclone phase, which was also acknowledged internationally.

¶ 03 We currently operate 225 safe centres nationwide, housing a significant number of people. All relief for those affected is being managed properly through the Commissioner General of Essential Services. We are fulfilling needs at Divisional Secretary level, via Grama Niladharis and District Secretaries, with the support of the Tri-Forces and Police. A high-level committee has also been appointed to ensure transparency in the management of foreign aid, and assistance is distributed according to ground-level needs. This, too, requires a unified effort.

¶ 04 We are restoring damaged infrastructure from national to local levels. The second Nayaru bridge is under construction, vital for transport and the economy. The Meemure road is still being repaired. The Gammaduwa–Karagasthenna road is being rebuilt, as is the Rikillagaskada–Belihuloya road. On Sri Pada routes, landslide-affected sections are being cleared to enable pilgrims and to move necessities. In the North Central Province, the Alahera anicut is being repaired; repairs are underway at Mavil aru and Sorowwa. Anavilundawa Railway Station is being refurbished and the line cleared. Water is being pumped out from Chanthavilluwa North village. Debris stuck at the Lechchalla bridge in Kandy is being removed. This is particularly difficult work; our Navy divers go underwater to cut and clear bamboo and other obstructions.

¶ 05 Because continued public service delivery requires the participation of District and Divisional Secretaries and many others, we seek to extend the period of emergency. Given the social and economic challenges arising from this disaster, continuous provision of essential public services is required. Roads are blocked, rail lines are down, and postal services face access constraints in some areas. Managing this from local to national level necessitates an emergency declaration.

¶ 06 People are under severe psychological stress after the disaster. Public officers at all levels must maintain close, continuous coordination—communication, frequent visits, and supervision—around the clock. The role of state officials is crucial, which is why the emergency is important. Rebuilding a bridge or road alone does not make lives whole; many other supports are needed. Therefore, Divisional Secretaries, Grama Niladharis, District Secretaries, and additional secretaries must frequently visit districts and carry out required work.

¶ 07 Forty-four schools were used as safe centres. Although schools were to restart on January 5, twenty-four safe centres still operate in Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, and Kegalle districts. They must be vacated and related tasks completed, which requires a unified effort. The Government carries a heavy responsibility and we are shouldering it with dedication. After the emergency phase, under these challenging conditions, we are striving to rebuild people’s lives. That effort cannot be shouldered by the Government alone; everyone must join—public service, the forces, police, the Opposition, and other organizations on the ground. If we come together in this short period, we can overcome these challenges.

¶ 08 A key challenge is restoring the living standards of those in relief camps, strengthening their economic situation, supporting businesses and self-employment, and enabling resettlement. Some areas still face landslide risk. Land allocation, housing and construction, infrastructure development, and ensuring livelihoods are necessary. The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has been providing vital support, though their staff is limited. They have over 2,000 pending requests in Badulla, Nuwara Eliya, Kegalle, Kandy, and Kurunegala. In the Central Province, 128 schools remain to be assessed. People in high-risk areas are being relocated; so far 558 have been resettled, with more work remaining.

¶ 09 I must state that provisions of the emergency Gazette will not be used for any improper purpose. They are used solely for disaster management. The emergency will not be used to restrict or violate fundamental rights or freedoms. It is employed purely for the public good. The Commissioner General of Essential Services, District and Divisional Secretaries, and Grama Niladharis, together with all of us, will not use this as a tool for repression or to curtail freedoms. I reiterate that.

¶ 10 Rebuilding the people and economy under these challenging conditions requires a unified effort. Declaring the emergency establishes the mechanism to ensure quick, coordinated action to meet public needs, restore education, and improve state administration.

¶ 11 This was a major calamity—far worse than a tsunami in scale. I also wish to recognize the outstanding service of the Tri-Forces, Police, and the Special Task Force during this disaster; they continue that service. As a nation that stands together in times of need, I urge everyone to extend maximum support. With that, I conclude.

¶ 12 Thank you.