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

¶ 01 Madam Deputy Chairperson, while we debate four Heads of Expenditure, I must first address the recent emergency. The disasters on the 26th to 30th affected many; on behalf of H.E. the President, I express condolences to those who lost their lives. Twenty-two districts were impacted.

¶ 02 On the morning of the 26th, under the President’s leadership, the National Council for Disaster Management met in a Committee Room of Parliament. All officials responsible for service deployment were summoned and given necessary directives. I must state clearly: under the Disaster Management Act, all required measures were implemented. Claims that we did not act are entirely false. The President provided well-considered instructions, and the Ministry of Defence issued directions to the Tri-Forces and all relevant institutions.

¶ 03 I recall that on 17 July, after seven years without a meeting since 2018, the National Council for Disaster Management was convened with Opposition MPs and representatives at the Presidential Secretariat. That alone shows where critics really stand.

¶ 04 On the 26th morning, under the Army Commander, we established a Special Operations Room at Army Headquarters. While the Disaster Management Centre’s Emergency Operations Centre and the National Disaster Relief Services Centre were functioning, we also integrated the National Building Research Organisation and the Department of Meteorology with that operations room. The Tri-Forces, Police, STF, Disaster Management officials, and Civil Security Department were all given directives and positioned for special operations, coordinating with Governors, District Secretaries, Divisional Secretaries, and local political authorities.

¶ 05 Tri-Forces personnel, risking their lives, conducted numerous operations—rescue and other disaster management—despite their own families and properties being affected; without requesting leave or complaining, they served the nation’s urgent needs.

¶ 06 I recall, with sorrow, the loss of an Air Force helicopter pilot in an accident, and five Navy personnel missing while attempting to widen a river mouth in Kalpitiya. We convey gratitude to the Army and Police for their service, and express condolences for the fallen pilot. We have only a limited helicopter fleet—two Bell 212s and two MI-17s.

¶ 07 In the past, helicopters allocated for VVIPs would have been used by Presidents during crises. This time, the President did not use them; they were deployed for people in distress. On the morning of the 27th, the President and Defence Secretary engaged the Indian and Pakistani High Commissioners; helicopters aboard INS Vikrant, then in Sri Lankan waters, were used for rescue operations. We thank India and Pakistan. Those helicopters were vital, including during the Nikaweratiya bus incident and in the Kalukara region.

¶ 08 From the 26th, we coordinated with the President by phone. On the 27th, the Public Security Minister went to Kandy; I went to Badulla District—Badulla, Mahiyanganaya, Passara, Nuwara Eliya, Walapane, Gampola. The Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, and Civil Security Department worked hard to find alternative routes where roads were blocked by landslides after night rains. On the 28th, Army Commandos were air-inserted into Walapane, Ramboda, and then Gampola. They reached inaccessible locations in Nuwara Eliya, Gampola, and Walapane. Mahiyanganaya Hospital had flooded; Passara Road was blocked, yet our teams reached even those areas. Boats from the public, outboard motors, and other equipment were mobilized to save lives. Our priority was saving lives. We have visited virtually every affected area.

¶ 09 We know how tsunami and COVID were managed. I too saw plantains labeled and distributed; as a former officer, I am ashamed of such episodes. After the tsunami, funds were plundered by many. Those same people now come to preach. When religious institutions are under threat, all rush out; but when the country is in ruins and the people are suffering, they are nowhere. We went to every place in Badulla and Uva; none from the Opposition were there.

¶ 10 The Opposition Leader spoke of Doppler radars. Such equipment is useful for atmospheric data and forecasting. One unit was brought in 2006—19 years ago. But even by 2011, the task was not completed. Later two units were sought from Japan. The Opposition Leader decided to install at Gongala Kanda, allocating US$ 51.3 million in 2017, to be completed in 2021—yet it was not done; only Rs. 370,000 was actually spent. That shows incompetence. Meanwhile, our people have united above divisions, and the world too has come forward.

¶ 11 From the morning of the 26th, Hon. Deputy Chairperson, the Forces Commanders were called in by the Executive and were given necessary strategic directions after analyzing changing situations and getting updates. Strategic decision-making was wisely exercised. National emergency requirements have been well coordinated; evaluation from strategic to tactical level has been done and will continue in the weeks to come. We are there to protect you all. Thank you.