Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, I welcome this Adjournment Motion. Cyclone Michaung inflicted a massive calamity nearly two months ago. We owe justice to the affected people.

¶ 02 Before I begin, I must note: State Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe spoke today while “throwing stones from a glass house.” He seems to forget his father also serves as a Cabinet Minister here, and our Leader of the House’s spouse is also a Member of Parliament. We were elected; we are not here as families. Government Members talk of dynastic politics, but when we form a government next, we will say: “You governed as families and still failed.”

¶ 03 A Kandy District MP claimed 90% of the Rs. 25,000 cleaning grant was paid there. I obtained data yesterday from the Kandy District Secretariat: only 65% had been paid as of now. Out of 38,889 affected families, around 20,000 have not received the Rs. 25,000. I table the documents: “Relief for Persons Affected by Cyclone Michaung – 2025” and related records. In Ududumbara division, from 4,315 affected, only 1,645 have received the initial Rs. 25,000.

¶ 04 We are informed that after 31 December no funds were received by the District Secretariat. During the Budget the Government said the Treasury was overflowing, yet no payments after 31 December? Hence I table those reports.

¶ 05 On the Rs. 50,000 for household items: despite the President’s many promises, out of roughly 20,000 fully/partially damaged houses, only about 7,000 have received the Rs. 50,000. For schoolchildren, though Rs. 25,000 was announced, reports show around Rs. 15,000 has been provided, with the balance Rs. 10,000 supposedly from the President’s Fund — yet there is no clarity or report on that. Kandy has nine MPs from the Government including powerful Ministers and State Ministers, but only three from the Opposition. Please ensure fair relief.

¶ 06 I also note: in Udunuwara and Watadeniya areas, forms for relief distribution are being channelled through government party representatives and the Rs. 25,000 is being paid on their recommendations. That politicisation must stop. Further, many NBRO reports for Kandy are pending; families remain in uncertainty. Please expedite NBRO assessments so people can return to normal life.

¶ 07 Lastly, today’s press reported the CEB suffered about Rs. 20 billion losses due to the cyclone and may pass costs to consumers through electricity bills. Do not burden the people with this.

¶ 08 Thank you.