The Hon. M.K.M. Aslam

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, responding to the previous Member: the country has suffered a calamity. Patience is needed; let him listen.

¶ 02 Regarding the President’s Rs. 1 million/Rs. 500,000 programme: the circular clearly provides up to Rs. 250,000 for partial damage after assessment, with an initial Rs. 50,000 without estimates. That is what the President said and the circular reflects — not Rs. 1 million; up to Rs. 250,000 for partials, and Rs. 500,000 for full damage.

¶ 03 This disaster is natural. But your Governments created man-made disasters — orchestrated chaos to destroy our country: a 30-year war; organized arson and pogroms at Digana, Deraniyagala town, Hettipola; the burning of the Jaffna Library; all planned and executed under your tenures. Now, this is a natural calamity and we must respond accordingly.

¶ 04 You did not develop technology then. We are now planning to provide modern technology to the Department of Meteorology, NBRO, and DMC, with significant funding.

¶ 05 Some come here without reading circulars and deliver unscientific speeches while aspiring to national leadership. At a time of national ruin, we need plans, not empty politics delivered every day after 1.30 p.m.

¶ 06 Between 2016 and 2024, around 490–500 lives were lost to natural disasters; about 2,500 houses fully damaged; 134,000 partially damaged. But in 2025, due to the “Ditva” cyclone, 646 lives were lost; 6,000 houses fully and 110,000 partially damaged — greater than the previous decade’s typical impacts. Yet we saw a democratic, organized Government under the President mobilize the State machine to assist people, with officials working day and night.

¶ 07 I represent Kurunegala. The District Secretary Chandana, North Western Province Chief Secretary Ilangakoon, my own Divisional Secretary in Ridigama W.G.K.D. Wickramasuriya, electricity officials, MOH, Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman, and GNs — all worked tirelessly.

¶ 08 Kurunegala suffered 62 deaths; 618 houses fully damaged; 5,000 partially; 807 at risk. In Ridigama alone there were about 600 landslides; 140 houses fully and about 500 partially damaged; 450 high-risk houses. Of 113 GN divisions, 109 were affected. Political authority and State machinery worked in unison. Circulars were revised under the President’s leadership to enable GNs to pay Rs. 50,000 in cash and Divisional Secretaries to spend large sums without lengthy procurement. Opposition MPs even joined us in good faith. NGOs like World Vision also supported, regardless of ethnicity.

¶ 09 We stood up quickly. With 6,000 fully damaged houses, total new houses needed exceed 20,000 including relocations, and Rs. 500,000 houses for high-risk relocations. We commenced programmes in Kurunegala and Ridigama and will proceed with public support.

¶ 10 I also wish to raise an issue: regarding the Consulate General appointment in Jeddah. The Foreign Ministry had identified a candidate, but could not appoint him due to issues. As Hajj operations are involved, the appointee should be Muslim; we, eight Muslim Government MPs, discussed with the Foreign Minister, who understood. Our collective action shows we can secure a better future for the country and its Muslims by working with the Government. Thank you.