The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Presiding Member.

¶ 02 On behalf of the Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization and the Tamil National Alliance, I pay my respects to those who perished or went missing due to the natural disaster.

¶ 03 Let us stop saying, “Preparations were not made; had we done so, this could have been avoided.” Instead, let us present solutions for the affected people. Criticizing the Government now is inappropriate. We must all join together to rebuild our country.

¶ 04 First, I say: hold India’s hand. During our economic crisis and now this disaster, India was first to stand with us. It is best for Sri Lanka to clasp India’s hand. I thank the Hon. Prime Minister of India, the people of India, and the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on behalf of the people of Sri Lanka.

¶ 05 I also thank the Hon. President and this Government. In this disaster, the President has been tirelessly, day and night, thinking of the people and acting energetically. In the Vanni region, particularly Vavuniya, Mannar, and Mullaitivu, I thank the Government Agents, Divisional Secretaries, Municipal and Pradeshiya Sabha members, volunteers, and the Tri-Forces.

¶ 06 Mannar District has suffered severe setbacks. The Urban Council Chairman, Daniel Vasanthan, and the Chairman of the Manthai West Pradeshiya Sabha, Gnanapragasam Premkumar, and members have been working with full dedication; I commend and thank them. In such disasters, nothing can be done perfectly; one cannot satisfy 100 percent. There will be mistakes in relief; we will not criticize on that basis. We must focus on how to carry forward the work.

¶ 07 Do not say the Government and State machinery are not functioning. In natural disasters, nothing can be done 100 percent perfectly. Instead of fault-finding, tell us what should be done.

¶ 08 As I said, Vanni—especially Mannar—has been badly affected. I am not here to blame anyone; everyone is working with commitment. But please pay particular attention to Mannar. Many livestock have died; farmers are affected; fishing nets have been washed away. We are ready to work with the Government to rebuild the country. Do not discriminate; do not help only particular groups. Recognize that all in Sri Lanka are disaster-affected citizens and create opportunities for all to cooperate with Government to lift our people.

¶ 09 I welcome the Rs. 25,000 grant to clean flooded homes; while insufficient, it should be provided to all affected families. In Mannar, 40,605 families and 136,463 individuals have been affected; 2 deaths; 10 fully destroyed houses. In Mullaitivu, 12,691 families and 39,193 individuals are affected. In Vavuniya, 6,320 families and 20,785 individuals are affected. I will table the report.

¶ 10 In this difficult time, we must all join to support our people. The world has helped; especially India acted immediately. I place the report in the Library.