The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth

¶ 01 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, due to last week’s extraordinary situation, most regions in the country were inundated. Many lives were lost. We pray for the deceased and express our deepest condolences to their families.

¶ 03 Particularly, in Kandy District, the Rambuk Ella village under Akkurana Divisional Secretariat, GN Division 590, around 50 families were submerged and died. Nationwide, as of yesterday, about 474 people have died and 368 are missing. Thousands of roads and bridges have been damaged; many houses and power lines are affected. Even today, some areas lack electricity and clean drinking water. Hundreds of thousands are affected, and many families are destitute.

¶ 04 We thank the leadership of the Hon. President and Prime Minister, Ministers, Members of Parliament, the Tri-Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force), STF, Government Agents, Police, Chairmen of Divisional Secretariats, CEB staff, MOH staff, NGOs and INGOs, and local philanthropists, youth and community organizations—along with countries such as India, Pakistan, the UAE, China, and Bangladesh—who are assisting with relief and stabilization.

¶ 05 In my area, drainage from Heda Oya, Kirindi Oya and Wila Oya flows to the sea. Fallen trees, brush and old timber inside river channels obstruct outflow, and various restrictions by the Forest Department and Coast Conservation Department prevent timely clearing, worsening impacts. Rapid clearing of these river paths, widening of riverbeds and bunds, and restoring canals would mitigate future disasters and facilitate cultivation in Mayilanodai and Poovarasadikani areas. The Raddella Tank must be rehabilitated; bunds need repair and canals renovated, which would support cultivation in Moongilchenai as well.

¶ 06 Heda Oya riverbank breaches damaged paddy fields, causing severe hardship to farmers. Relief must be expedited. Breaching can be reduced by properly aligning and engineering embankments instead of ad-hoc earthen fills.

¶ 07 Across the district, including Pottuvil, many livestock developers are affected and unemployed. The Government should provide relief and support to these farmers.

¶ 08 Although the disaster was severe nationwide, Ampara District was comparatively spared from housing destruction by the grace of God. However, agriculture, livestock, fisheries and many irrigation bunds suffered damage.

¶ 09 We appreciate the increase of the Rs. 10,000 house-cleaning grant to Rs. 25,000, and the provision of dry rations and cooked meals. Ensure all affected people receive dry rations without omission.

¶ 10 In the course of rescue, five Navy personnel, including Captain Pilot Wing Commander Nirmal, are missing or deceased. We pray for their souls and offer condolences to their families.

¶ 11 Relief vendors in Pottuvil, Lakhugala, Akkaraipattu, and Addalaichenai who provided supplies last year under the Ampara District Secretariat’s approval have not yet been paid. Shops such as Pottuvil Rouff Traders, Mayidas, and Budget Food City must be settled urgently. I raised this with the Hon. President last week.

¶ 12 The PS Sarvodaya Puram bridge damaged in prior floods has allocations but remains unreconstructed; please expedite repairs. From 2023–2025, no rehabilitation has been done in several coastal areas hit by floods and disasters. Identify and restore them properly.

¶ 13 In Pottuvil, the Jamanthurai Bund, Palliyadiyan Road Bund, and Sinna Ilankuchenai embankments have breached. Part of the Ten-Amavedduvan Bund has failed; the Duwwaya Bridge narrowly escaped collapse but one section is damaged, preventing heavy vehicles. Engineers from Irrigation and RDA, local council leaders, the Divisional Secretary, Army and the public worked together to avert collapse. RDA is conducting urgent inspections; please provide speedy repair funding.

¶ 14 Local Ulama Councils, mosque federations, media and civic groups—Lanka FM, Semmozhi FM, “Duyar Thudaippom,” Power Boys’ Club, Arugam Bay Half Marathon organizers—and many village officers and community leaders have mobilized relief collections for other affected districts. I record my sincere thanks to all of them by name as placed on record.

¶ 15 Twenty-five districts have been flood-affected—Colombo, Kandy, Badulla, Nuwara Eliya, Matara, Polonnaruwa, Trincomalee (Mutur), Thoppur and many low-lying areas—causing mass displacement, house submergence and deaths; many villages remain cut off.

¶ 16 Immediate priorities are clear: - Rescue trapped people; - Provide food, drinking water, medicines, and temporary shelter; - Restore roads, bridges, electricity and basic services; - Develop and implement long-term rehabilitation and rebuilding plans.

¶ 17 This is not a political issue but a humanitarian one. Let us set aside politics, unite, and act. Secure urgent budget allocations; direct all ministries to coordinate relief, assessment, rescue and rebuilding; establish a parliamentary committee to monitor; and engage international humanitarian agencies for additional support. The country requires about USD 3 billion for recovery; we will collaborate to mobilize it.

¶ 18 The Eastern Province has only one meteorological observation station at Pottuvil. Equip it with a Doppler radar and establish a similar facility in Puttalam to improve forecasting accuracy.

¶ 19 Fisherfolk in coastal areas, including the East, are in dire straits. The Government must provide compensation and livelihood support, especially from Maruthamunai through Pottuvil to Panama. Furthermore, 14 fishermen in Pottuvil who lost their boats in a previous cyclone have still not been compensated; please arrange immediate payments.

¶ 20 Let us unite to rescue our nation from this calamity and build a safer future. Thank you.