Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe

¶ 01 He mentioned a prior prediction that economic growth would slow in the coming years. At that time, one should not look at his face; flowers bloom! In my view, during this debate the first speech was presented by our Minister Samantha Vidyaratna. In his speech, he explained how, as a Government and as a country, we acted to confront this calamity, and the measures taken. He also pointed out that we were able to do some things that some said could not be done. He clearly set out, in a very important manner, how we overcame this disaster. The debate could be concluded there — with his speech. However, our Government side speakers are prepared to continue to discuss, with statistics, how we addressed this.

¶ 02 I also wish to say another thing. The Leader of the Opposition said in his speech that we had not learned lessons from the tsunami and that we must all take responsibility. He also spoke of global uncertainties and of learning from a state in India. He presented many points. However, we were not able to build a mechanism to face the disaster using the Disaster Management Act. That is where the problem lay. We all know that this is the greatest destruction we have faced in our known history as a country. Within a few days, our country’s power grid collapsed; roads were broken; train operations stopped; water supply was interrupted; people’s houses were swept away; there were landslides. Over 600,000 families were affected within two or three days; they were distressed; hundreds lost their lives. The entire country collapsed within two days. First, we had to focus on rescue operations. Second, we had to stabilize public life. Third, we had to restore the damaged infrastructure — electricity, water, roads — within a very short time. Thereafter, we had to address the collapse in sectors including agriculture and industry, and prevent harm to the economy. We believe we faced all this successfully as a Government. Within two weeks we re-established normalcy, and the Leader of the Opposition thanked the Government officials for that.

¶ 03 However, the State machinery functions because the President and Ministers provide leadership. I must tell the Leader of the Opposition that, to successfully face the post-disaster situation, the President and we, as Ministers, provided the necessary leadership to the State apparatus.

¶ 04 At this moment, I particularly wish to speak about the programme for rebuilding houses damaged by the disaster. Hon. Deputy Speaker, according to information received, the number of fully damaged houses is approximately 6,000. The number of partially damaged houses is about 109,000. We have these figures consolidated at district and Divisional Secretariat level.

¶ 05 By now, in agriculture and industrial sectors, we have completed a considerable portion of the work. Our foremost current task is the reconstruction of damaged houses and to design a programme enabling affected families to resume life in their chosen places. We are acting as a Government in this regard. The President himself is intervening, obtaining facts and guiding District Secretaries and Ministry of Finance officials. We have prepared a programme and allocated the necessary funds.

¶ 06 We pledged to provide Rs. 500,000 for a fully damaged house. For partially damaged houses, we first provide Rs. 50,000. Thereafter, upon assessment, we will pay compensation up to a maximum of Rs. 250,000 depending on the damage exceeding Rs. 50,000. The process of providing assistance to people whose houses were damaged commenced on the 9th under the leadership of the President in Anuradhapura and Kurunegala, with foundation-stone laying at four locations. We have begun disbursements to 1,150 affected families in several districts and continue to expand.

¶ 07 If families who owned fully or partially damaged houses can safely resettle where their original home stood, that is good for them and for their economic well-being. If the location is safe, we will provide the necessary assistance for them to resettle there, as I said — Rs. 500,000 for full damage and compensation for partial damage as per the assessment mechanism — to enable resettlement in situ.

¶ 08 However, we see that in hilly areas — in the districts of the Central Province — there are high-risk zones. The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has identified such places. The NBRO still has a small portion of study work to complete; it is a complex task and several teams are engaged. Families from fully damaged houses in the hill areas cannot be resettled on their same plots because they are in high-risk zones. Some houses are partially damaged but the land remains high-risk; resettlement there is not possible. There are even intact houses located in high-risk zones; resettlement there too is not permissible. Therefore, for these three categories living in high-risk zones, we must relocate them to safer places. The Government is prepared to provide land. Through Divisional and District Secretaries we have already identified alternative lands. Let me give some examples.

¶ 09 In Kegalle District, 32 acres have been identified across 48 locations, yielding 266 plots for alternative housing. In Nuwara Eliya District, 178 acres have been identified across nine Divisional Secretariat divisions for housing those from high-risk zones. In Kandy District, 346 acres have been identified across 18 D.S. divisions.

¶ 10 In Matale District, 1,225 acres have been identified across 11 D.S. divisions. These land parcels can be suitably allocated to the people. However, we also know that in some districts it is not possible to give an individual plot for every affected family due to land scarcity, particularly given the high landslide risk. Where individual plots cannot be provided, we will identify a single land and settle people collectively, either as a village or as apartment-type housing. Divisional and District Secretaries have identified such locations. We are prepared to construct either apartment complexes or village-style housing where appropriate. Engineering designs have been prepared and we will proceed accordingly.

¶ 11 Further, until their homes are rebuilt, people can stay with relatives or in rental accommodation, for which we have commenced providing Rs. 25,000 as a monthly rent allowance. Many have already received this. If they cannot stay with relatives or find rentals, they can stay in safety centres; we will ensure those facilities. However, no one wishes to remain in safety centres long-term, so we encourage accommodation with relatives or in rentals. If someone prefers temporary housing, we will facilitate that by identifying government and private buildings for temporary accommodation, and a work plan is being implemented.

¶ 12 We have therefore commenced the housing reconstruction process. In rebuilding houses damaged by the “Ditva” cyclone, our aim is not merely to repair what existed, but to build back better — to go beyond the previous standard. That is why we named the initiative “Rebuilding Sri Lanka.” A Presidential Special Task Force has been established for this. It has already met twice. We have set up sub-committees for specific tasks, which will convene, bringing in the private sector, experts, and other non-state actors to contribute.

¶ 13 We have drawn up short-, medium-, and long-term plans and are implementing them with funds secured and mechanisms established. We are also considering how to integrate an effective mechanism into the Disaster Management Act to prepare for future disasters, and work has begun on that.

¶ 14 Our speakers will present more details today on how we are addressing this. Thank you for the time, Hon. Deputy Speaker.