The Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I am pleased to join the debate on amendments to regulations under the Import and Export (Control) Act. Sri Lanka has many longstanding laws and regulations that often only reveal shortcomings during crises. Alongside import/export rules, we must address economic stability, disaster management, national security, and rebuilding.

¶ 02 The recent unprecedented disaster elicited global solidarity—monetary and in-kind aid—which must be properly managed. The National Disaster Relief Services Centre (NDRSC) coordinates relief but needs strengthening and comprehensive overhaul to fully integrate ministries, departments, and state institutions for nationwide service delivery, with legal authority to act swiftly, cut administrative delays, and ensure proper distribution—food, medicines, medical equipment, construction materials, fuel—during disasters.

¶ 03 We must also curb hoarding and profiteering during crises and prioritize humanitarian goods—hence these legal changes. We will expand such frameworks to better serve people. Even today parts of the country, especially the East, face floods; the North may experience unprecedented rainfall next. Poor drainage and improper housing amplify impacts.

¶ 04 “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” must be more than buildings—it requires bolstering public and private institutions, legal frameworks, and aligning economic policy with disaster management to deliver services effectively.

¶ 05 On parliamentary conduct: my colleague Hon. (Dr.) Kaushalya Ariyarathna clarified certain matters. As an MP for Jaffna, I stress that our people are educated, cultured, and civilized. Recently, in Parliament and at DCC and other meetings, some have used abusive language, forgetting decorum. Even I used an unfortunate word in anger; a respected elder called me and asked me not to do so again. If a single word upsets the public, how much more damage do constant insults cause? Let us provide healthy, dignified messages, not chase sensationalism.

¶ 06 Thank you for the opportunity.