The Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala

¶ 01 Mr. Presiding Member, today’s debate concerns a disaster our country faced. Government MPs and even Ministers who spoke mostly attacked the Opposition instead of detailing what they did for the people. Are they still mentally in Opposition? If you have done work, state it—what you delivered—rather than blaming us. A Deputy Minister even alleged the Opposition Leader “brings from there and gives here.”

¶ 02 I must clarify: the Opposition Leader provided medical equipment worth Rs. 4.6 million to Puttalam, Nattandiya, Marawila, and Chilaw hospitals. The Chilaw Base Hospital suffered damage worth tens of millions due to floods. What has the government done so far? He also provided equipment worth Rs. 4 million to Marawila Base Hospital.

¶ 03 Gampola Hospital was also heavily damaged. A Gampola MP earlier spoke disparagingly about uncollected garbage because the Municipal Council is held by SJB. The Mayor has been out from 3.00 a.m. addressing issues—so why talk like that? The Opposition Leader, under the “Husma” program, gave Rs. 4 million to Gampola Hospital, and to others—Kandy, Dambadeniya, Kegalle, Mawanella, Polonnaruwa, Kalawewa, Nochchiyagama-area hospitals, Kolonna Base Hospital, and Yatiyanthota. Under “Husma,” each hospital affected by the cyclone received over Rs. 4.6 million in equipment. These are not government funds; they were mobilized from the public and business community. You should welcome such efforts, not allege “he brings from there and gives here.”

¶ 04 Some villages had no communication. In Dodangaslanda and Mawathagama in Kurunegala, roads were impassable for days. We reached them and provided food and essential aid. We do not do politics on Facebook. Do not come here shamelessly and speak as if we are inactive.

¶ 05 We also saw how some were shooed away when they went to meet people—trying to show others’ work as their own. At times like this, the government must implement measures, not point fingers.

¶ 06 A government MP himself said the Met Department issued many notices. True. But international media like BBC and CNN forecast, even before November 25, that 400–500 mm of rain would fall. Had water at Kotmale been managed a couple of days earlier, such loss of life and property could have been avoided. The Deduru Oya spill gates were opened only on November 27; from Nikaweratiya to Puttalam, vast damage ensued. These must be examined. Do not claim we made no mistakes.

¶ 07 I conclude by stating that government MPs behaved today as if in Opposition, blaming us for years past, instead of focusing on implementing the President’s many promises here of millions in assistance. Please implement those programs.

¶ 08 Thank you.