The Hon. B. Ariyachchi

¶ 01 You also mentioned that even if just a single roof sheet of a house was lost due to this disaster, people were told they would be given Rs. 1 million. For example, in the Pupuketiya Grama Niladhari Division, in the area called Makuluthota, part of Mr. Wijerathna’s house collapsed due to the disaster. So far, he has received only about Rs. 25,000. I asked those people about this, but they have not received anything further.

¶ 02 Likewise, in the Godakawela Divisional Secretariat Division, more than 20 families from Madampe Watte were evacuated due to risk. By now, only a few have been classified as high risk; the others have been categorized as medium risk and have already been resettled back in the same locations. They, too, have received only the Rs. 25,000 allowance.

¶ 03 Next, in the Onaya Divisional Secretariat Division, 15 families have been designated as high-risk in the Opata area. We went to those villages. There are more families affected than that. In a so‑called high‑risk area where 15–20 families live, only two or four families are identified as high‑risk. Even if only two or three families are labeled high‑risk, in a sudden disaster like a landslide, everyone could be affected. Therefore, a special program should be prepared to provide them the land they need, using available estates in the area or through private acquisition.

¶ 04 Madam Presiding Member, let me highlight something important on behalf of the Opposition. When this disaster occurred, the Leader of the Opposition and all of us engaged and helped. We also issued guidance to everyone. We have more than 1,700 of our local council members, and they went into the villages and helped people as much as they could. As a government, the administration provided significant support during the disaster; likewise, we, as the Opposition, did what we could. Through the “Husma” program that the Leader of the Opposition has run for a long time, essential medical equipment has been provided to 15 hospitals so far. Last week, medical equipment worth Rs. 2.8 million was given to the Kolonna Base Hospital. As Opposition Leader, he is doing a great deal for the people. Government MPs say, “The Opposition did nothing; only they did it.” But our MPs in Parliament, our seat organizers, former Provincial Councillors, and local authority members all worked for those affected by the “896” cyclone. We went to the affected villages, delivered cooked meals and dry rations, and supported people as possible. Not only during the “89690” cyclone, but in every prior disaster, Opposition MPs helped people.

¶ 05 You are in government today. But when you were in the Opposition, we never saw you go anywhere to distribute relief or help villages. Yet today you sit in government and only cast blame at the Opposition.

¶ 06 The “8962” cyclone caused a great calamity in this country. A proper plan must be put in place to ensure justice to all those affected. If similar heavy rains or cyclone conditions recur, the affected families should not be repeatedly sent to camps and kept dependent on relief. The funds received should instead be used in the coming period to build appropriate housing, restore livelihoods, help them develop businesses, or enable them to find employment, and bring them to a sustainable footing. We, as the Opposition, request that you proceed accordingly.

¶ 07 Thank you.