The Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, before commenting on the Heads of Expenditure, I must state: around 1,000–1,500 people may have died and about 1.5 million have been displaced. I express condolences and sympathy to them.

¶ 02 While the Government’s official data may vary, we understand roughly these magnitudes. Many believe earlier action was warranted given two weeks’ prior warnings from our Department of Meteorology and international agencies. Proper early preparations and alerts could have reduced impacts. But now the losses have occurred—lives lost and mass displacement.

¶ 03 The Government has a huge task to restore these lives and the country to normalcy. We are unsure what concrete plan is being implemented—how coordination is organized and how funds will be mobilized to restore public life.

¶ 04 There are thousands in displacement camps. Those whose homes were flooded but structurally safe can return quickly with assistance. But about 50 percent of those in camps lived in high-risk zones; ongoing landslide risk keeps them there. They cannot return to their original locations. What is the Government’s plan? We need urgent assessment and verification. I request the Deputy Minister of Defence present here to act swiftly.

¶ 05 There is also a shortage of specialized officers—geologists and technical staff—to assess landslide risks; limited numbers are causing delays. Identify high-risk zones quickly to facilitate resettlement. If properly assessed, about half of those in camps could return home; the remainder will need new land and housing support.

¶ 06 On grants: beyond the dry ration, the Government has announced Rs. 10,000–25,000 for cleaning houses affected by floods and landslides. A recent letter also circulated, but people ask about the legal basis and process. Due to officials’ workload and damaged roads, losses have not been fully assessed—houses, belongings, appliances. How will these be evaluated? Since officials cannot accept mere verbal claims, I advised people to photograph damages immediately; I ask authorities to accept such documentation and set out a clear process for compensation for destroyed household goods—washing machines, refrigerators, TVs, and so on—beyond basic food support. People are extremely vulnerable; a lunch packet and dry ration alone will not restore lives.

¶ 07 Urban populations are also struggling. While most camp support flows to rural areas, many estate-adjacent communities suffer hardship though not directly flooded—their homes are intact but they have no livelihood or access. In Yatiyantota, for example—Kandalooya and Nagasthenna estates—people cannot travel or obtain essentials. Please focus on the Bulathkohupitiya Divisional Secretariat area—Nawalapitiya, Yatiyantota, Nagasthenna and Kandalooya—and provide dry rations and support. I will not dwell long as I must also speak on the Ministry of Plantation and Rural Infrastructure.

¶ 08 Plantation workers and factory operators face difficulties: roads are cut off; timber cannot be transported; some tea factories lack power due to damaged lines and cannot operate. Address these urgently and provide relief to that sector too.

¶ 09 Before speaking, an exporter in tea contacted me; their warehouses in low-lying areas like Wellampitiya and Kolonnawa were affected. This impacts not only tea exporters but other exporters too. It is unclear what damages insurance will cover. They face major losses. Please include exporters in compensation frameworks, as they have long brought foreign exchange to the country.

¶ 10 Exporters have repeatedly raised SVAT concerns. With SVAT removal and VAT refunds promised within 30–45 days, in practice refunds have not been received since October. Given current damages, at least grant temporary SVAT relief immediately. I appeal especially to the Hon. Prime Minister present to consider this.

¶ 11 Finally, people cannot stay in camps for months; disease and mental health issues may arise. Those whose homes are safe should return with assistance; those in high-risk named zones cannot. They have no private capacity to relocate. Therefore we need stable resettlement centres or long-term arrangements. In Kegalle, and similarly in Nuwara Eliya and Badulla, conditions are severe. Conduct surveys, identify land, build houses and facilities—but that will take time. In the interim, implement a concrete programme for these families. I conclude with this appeal.

¶ 12 Thank you.