The Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmalee Gunasinghe

¶ 01 Madam Deputy Chairperson, while we discuss several Heads of Expenditure today, I wish to briefly review the emergency situation caused by adverse weather. We have learned that Rs. 25,000 will be given to each schoolchild affected by the disaster. Many school-going children suffered; the Rs. 25,000—funded by the President’s Fund—will greatly help them obtain books and essential school supplies. We know there are families with several children; they are in great distress and cannot face this alone. This allocation will be a significant support.

¶ 02 Similarly, Rs. 25,000 is now allocated for cleaning homes; earlier it was Rs. 10,000, which has been increased. As women, we know that after major flooding, all household items are destroyed and the main burden of cleaning falls on the housewife. However much she strives, she cannot do it alone; she needs support. This grant is not to replace all lost belongings, but to make homes habitable again. This too will be a great encouragement for our women.

¶ 03 Our women MPs—such as Ms. Kalyanachelvi, Ms. Anushka, Ms. Sagarika, Ms. Ambika, and others from their respective districts—have united to assist the people directly, especially focusing on women’s and children’s safety and sanitation. Even as their own homes and those of their neighbours and relatives were damaged, they have worked tirelessly for the afflicted.

¶ 04 Madam Deputy Chairperson, we speak here of opening floodgates and cutting river mouths. Yes, we should discuss these. Both Government and Opposition can debate. But this is an adverse weather event affecting the entire country; other countries too are currently affected by similar calamities, with loss of life and property. Their people also show great courage to recover, just as ours do.

¶ 05 As elected representatives, our duty is to manage this disaster and make laws; not to decide here exactly when to cut a river mouth or by how much—that depends on conditions. If we prematurely cut, flooding could worsen elsewhere. Therefore, based on science, meteorological charts, and the judgement of Irrigation officials, actions must be taken appropriately. Responsible officers were instructed to intervene in this manner, and they have acted accordingly. The truth is that all 25 districts have been affected. The whole country had to suddenly prepare for this disaster.

¶ 06 We accept some Opposition points, but disagree with others. It is true some areas have not yet been restored—because those very officials are also victims; many from the services managing power and water, and even security forces, suffered losses. So we cannot say this is only in North or only in East or South; the entire country and its officials have been affected. Yet we saw that, regardless of their own hardships, officials served tirelessly. People too supported the CEB to restore electricity. Officials worked day and night, and continue to do so. We must encourage and strengthen them.

¶ 07 At this time, Government directed all officials to set aside rigid procedures to provide necessary facilities to the people. Funds have been allocated accordingly. The previous speaker, Hon. Kins Nelson, said Rs. 5 million had not yet come. Under the Emergency, it was stated that more than that could be spent if needed; adequate funds are available—for children’s books, for crop damage relief, and for property losses—except lives, which, as the President said, cannot be restored.

¶ 08 We kept District and Divisional Secretaries informed hourly and told them to spend, freeing them from procedural constraints, to give relief to the people. Therefore, no one should refrain from spending; funds must be used as per local needs. That is why we will now give Rs. 25,000 per affected child.

¶ 09 Assessments are underway. We must get back up, reopen schools, clear highways, restore power, and then conduct proper assessments through officials and provide compensation—be it for agriculture, homes, or businesses.

¶ 10 I believe we also have a responsibility for the mental wellbeing of affected people. We visited several camps including in Kolonnawa. We inquired into basic sanitation and arranged with the Divisional Secretariat’s two counsellors, along with Development and Grama Niladhari officers, to conduct programmes and provide the necessary support to restore mental health.