The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure

¶ 01 [11.11 a.m.]

¶ 02 Hon. Deputy Speaker, I welcome Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna’s Motion. First, some in the Opposition thought certain proposals could not be implemented—like raising estate workers’ daily wage. Yet at Monday’s Cabinet, we approved Government support of Rs. 5,000 million to uplift plantation workers’ wages, with plantation companies also contributing, raising the daily wage from Rs. 1,350 to Rs. 1,750 from January, to be paid by February 10. Likewise, on Cyclone “Ditwah”, despite claims of inaction, assistance has been distributed.

¶ 03 The Opposition accepts this was a massive disaster. Managing it required great effort. There may have been shortcomings in some places, but the public recognizes the wide-ranging work done by the Government and the people.

¶ 04 Regarding Matale data, from the Disaster Management Centre’s latest report: - 11 DS divisions affected - 12,240 families (42,574 persons) affected - 298 deaths; 128 injured; 8 missing - 2,568 houses fully damaged; 4,105 partially damaged

¶ 05 Nationwide, within less than two months: - 22 of 25 districts affected - 659,197 families (2,341,066 persons) affected - 640 deaths; 174 missing - 2,172 safety centres established and managed - As of now, only about 93 centres remain, reflecting effective resettlement and care

¶ 06 NBRO reports 1,436 major landslides (distinct from minor slope failures), alongside severe flooding and winds—an unprecedented multi-hazard event. The tri-forces, Police, Civil Security Department, public servants and ordinary citizens contributed immensely and deserve thanks. Contrary to past election-time theatrics, this time there were fewer opportunistic distributions; instead, many Sri Lankans at home and abroad helped sincerely.

¶ 07 Comparisons are instructive: during previous crises (power, gas, essentials), unrest erupted. Here, despite power and communications outages and destroyed infrastructure, people did not flood the streets because they saw responsible management. Even a senior official told me, “We were saved because the administration acted well.”

¶ 08 On assistance disbursement—examples from Matale District: - Rs. 25,000 emergency relief: 6,027 of 6,239 families paid (94.71%) - Rs. 50,000 relief: 1,143 of 1,253 families paid - Rs. 15,000 student grant: 1,497 of 1,743 students paid

¶ 09 Nationally: - Rs. 25,000 relief paid to 422,847 families (98% progress) - Rs. 50,000 relief paid to 109,046 families (71% progress) - Rs. 15,000 student grant paid to 136,828 students (74% progress)

¶ 10 We also mobilized volunteer labour for rapid restoration. In Badulla District alone, 1,492 tanks, anicuts and canals were damaged; officials estimated 3 years to restore. Yet through community effort we re-established temporary water supply so cultivation could resume. We conducted the “Nena Diri” operation to repair 233 damaged schools and preschools (excluding 8 to be relocated), accounting for 40,587 person-days of volunteer work, in addition to 36,833 person-days for irrigation works—worth roughly Rs. 8.84 million and Rs. 9.57 million respectively if monetized.

¶ 11 This country needs a constructive Opposition. When disasters strike, the nation must work together. We are also waging major battles against narcotics, underworld crime, corruption and fraud; vested interests are rattled and try to discredit our efforts.