Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition

¶ 01 An entirely new institutional mechanism and a new Act must be implemented. Likewise, a Climate Hazard and Vulnerability Assessment as well as a needs assessment must be carried out, and, with a transparent work plan, we must operationalize disaster prevention and strengthen the new mechanism by introducing Key Performance Indicators.

¶ 02 Mr. Speaker, finally I wish to make a proposal. Parliament does not sit tomorrow. It will sit on Friday to pass the Budget. I ask whether, given the current situation in the country, this Budget is appropriate. Is the Budget we intend to pass on Friday suited to the present circumstances? If not, what should we do? Frankly speaking, as at 10.00 a.m. today, reports indicate that more than 1.5 million people have been affected. We must be sensitive. Should we not take a few more days and bring a short-term, new Budget—within a few days—focused on disaster relief? A Budget to provide relief to the affected people, to rebuild the disaster-stricken areas, to restore devastated lives and regions submerged—should we not bring such a new Budget? But what are we going to do on Friday? Even amid a great calamity, a massive cyclone, we propose to approve the Budget speech that does not account even one cent for the disaster that occurred. What is this rationale? I propose that we take a few more days and present, next week, a new Budget focused on relief for those affected.

¶ 03 My second proposal is this: immediately convene an international donor conference. If the Government cannot do so, then assign the task to us with proper authority. We in the Opposition are ready to work together with the Government to call an international donor conference and secure the assistance and provisions the country needs at this moment.

¶ 04 My third proposal: immediately speak to the IMF to move to a new agreement. Considering this disaster, can we proceed with the same harsh, punitive, people-oppressing conditionalities of the EFF? What absurdity is this? Speak with the IMF now. If you cannot, include us. If you cannot convey what must be said to the IMF, we will do so. Those conditions must be eased immediately. We face a great tragedy, an immense devastation. Many lives have been lost; mothers, fathers, children, relatives, grandparents, many are gone, and others are buried. In such a situation, are we to continue under strict IMF conditions? Therefore, speak to the IMF now and secure relaxation of those conditions. We in the Opposition will support it. We will write to President Trump; if possible, we will go and meet as a multi-party group and request the withdrawal of reciprocal tariffs so that we can provide some relief to our industrial sector.

¶ 05 Let me be clear. Set this Budget aside and move to a new one. Understand this: while the IMF set a primary balance target of 2.3%, we increased it to 3.8%, saving Rs. 479 billion. Direct those savings to rebuild the country. State revenue had a target of 15% of GDP; you have reached 15.9%, yielding an additional Rs. 287 billion. Please allocate these additional funds to sustain lives, protect people, safeguard the country, promote development and provide relief to those affected. Establish an immediate programme to support damaged farmlands—tea, rubber, coconut, paddy, other field crops and fruits, and export crops. Create a fund to provide working capital to revive agriculture and industry, generate self-employment, and strengthen the industrial sector. Provide a subsistence allowance until people are restored. This must be done. Instead of Friday’s planned exercise, take a few more days and present a new Budget—one with revised proposals and larger allocations—for those devastated by this disaster.

¶ 06 Finally, we must adopt a depoliticized national development programme. We will extend our support to implement it. We will present our economic plan to rebuild the country—our Samagi Jana Balawegaya’s plan—and a national development plan.

¶ 07 Mr. Speaker, when we proposed a state of emergency, it was to strengthen the programme of relief for the people, not to roll back democracy. Recently we saw announcements and heard that some are trying to use emergency regulations to suppress media. We especially saw statements by those responsible for law and order. I request: do not do this. An emergency is not to stifle democracy; it is to provide relief to the people. Under that framework, today social media activists are being threatened—individuals such as Bryan, Sepal, Asela and others. Immediately halt the suppression being attempted through emergency regulations.

¶ 08 Also, let us focus on an often-ignored subject: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Amid this devastation, there are issues like PTSD and mental health. We must intervene from the health sector. We in the Samagi Jana Balawegaya are implementing a large programme through our party funds, covering all regions. We cannot do everything; but by taking responsibility for certain areas, we will provide relief widely, methodically and efficiently.