The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, at the request of the Hon. Members of the Opposition, I move as follows:

¶ 02 “That a Parliamentary Select Committee be appointed titled ‘Select Committee to conduct a comprehensive study on the lack of preparedness to face Cyclone Ditwah and report to Parliament and submit its proposals and recommendations in that regard’, comprising the following Members: - Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Hon. (Attorney-at-Law) Anuradha Jayaratne - Hon. Mujibur Rahuman - Hon. Dilin Jayawira - Hon. OSB Kumari Wijerathna - Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka - Hon. Chamara Sampath Dissanayake - Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera - Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala - Hon. (Attorney-at-Law) Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe - Hon. B. Ariyawansa - Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi - Hon. Kings Nelson - Hon. K. Kadar Mastan - Hon. S.M. Marikkar - Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan - Hon. M.A.M. Tahir - Hon. (Attorney-at-Law) Rauff Hakeem - Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah - Hon. (Attorney-at-Law) Chamindrani Kiriella - Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna - Hon. Jagath Withana - Hon. W.H.M. Dharmasena - Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara - Hon. Imran Maharoof - Hon. Hector Appuhami - Hon. (Attorney-at-Law) Namal Rajapaksa - Hon. Bhershana Rajakaruna - Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka

¶ 03 Whereas Cyclone Ditwah is considered the worst disaster in Sri Lanka’s history, causing loss of life, damage to property and harm to the public, which remain to be fully assessed;

¶ 04 Whereas in recent calamities, including the Easter Sunday attacks and the economic crisis, Parliament has appointed Select Committees;

¶ 05 Whereas we believe this disaster is of a special nature;

¶ 06 Whereas it has now been revealed in Parliament that the Department of Meteorology and foreign agencies issued warnings and forecasts in advance;

¶ 07 Whereas, had the relevant parties been adequately prepared to face this situation, the extent of damage could have been significantly reduced;

¶ 08 This Parliament resolves that a Parliamentary Select Committee be appointed to conduct a comprehensive study on the lack of preparedness to face Cyclone Ditwah and report to Parliament with its proposals and recommendations.”

¶ 09 “2. (a) The Speaker shall nominate the Chair and Members of the Committee; and (b) in terms of Standing Order 101, the Committee shall consist of not more than twelve (12) Members of Parliament.”

¶ 10 “3. The Committee shall have power: (a) to determine its quorum; (b) to call before it any person and to require any person to produce any document or report as it deems necessary, and to receive all such evidence in writing or orally, in order to conduct a comprehensive study into the above matters; (c) to obtain the services of persons possessing specialized and expert knowledge in relevant fields to assist the Committee; and (d) to present interim reports, and notwithstanding any adjournment or prorogation of Parliament, to meet and continue its sittings.”

¶ 11 “4. The Committee shall present its report to Parliament within three (03) months from the date of its first meeting or within such extended period as may be granted by Parliament.”