The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and the Leader of the House of Parliament

¶ 01 Mr. Presiding Member, in today’s Adjournment Motion on the “BOO” cyclone, the Opposition claims prior warnings were ignored. That is a typical traditional Opposition line. Disasters are, by nature, disruptions to normalcy; even with warnings, damage cannot be entirely prevented—only mitigated.

¶ 02 There was heavy debate in the country about alleged advance warnings by international and local media. One channel held a lengthy debate; our Minister Nalinda Jayatissa participated. It became clear that there was no definitive, specific early warning from international agencies as claimed. If there had been, and we failed to act, that would be a problem—but this was a constructed political narrative, enabled by certain media channels and a few veteran politicians. Our side is comparatively new to such media battles.

¶ 03 I challenge those narratives: when the US faced recent floods, did they not also struggle? Did they pre‑release reservoirs in advance as critics suggest we should have done? A former Director‑General of Irrigation queried on social media whether mass pre‑releases were advisable. Recently another cyclone was forecast; it was said to make landfall near Pottuvil—yet it did not arrive. Had we dumped reservoirs in anticipation, what then? These are scientific and technical questions; decisions to open or close spillways are not merely technical, but also political and social judgments combined. Sri Lanka has not done mass pre‑releases historically because forecasts can change rapidly.

¶ 04 We should not fear science, but those who argue scientifically should understand the science involved. In 2005, I served on the Tsunami Select Committee; scientists testified that due to Sri Lanka’s position in the Indian Ocean, highly precise meteorological predictions are difficult. Therefore, I will not waste time on this political canard. Minister Nalinda Jayatissa has already flattened that argument. As for claims that we opened reservoirs recklessly—you should be ashamed. If that were the yardstick, the US should have done the same. That is not how it works.

¶ 05 Let’s see what we did. Rescue is past; now we rebuild. We know some Opposition MPs and local councillors worked sincerely and helped people; we also know some threatened District Secretaries and tried to politicize the crisis. As a government, we assert we intervened to the maximum. In typical past floods, some handed out bananas; we did not politicize relief. We coordinated government, people, and tri‑forces. In such a massive disaster—the biggest in recent memory—there have been remarkably few allegations of malpractice; those that exist are concocted or exaggerated.

¶ 06 Now some say Grama Niladharis are striking; that is one of many associations, some politically linked. The international community has recognized Sri Lanka’s performance; the UN Resident Coordinator stated that in Sri Lanka things were handled better than in his own country—a developed nation. Public trust is visible: as of recently, Rs. 8.6 billion had been deposited by the public into the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” process, now even higher; land donations have also been made. Did we see land donations in the past—like in Meeriabedda during your time? Then, Minister Manjula Senevirathna laid a foundation stone recently to build houses for a village that suffered a landslide 10 years ago.

¶ 07 An Opposition MP said they are “acting like they’re in government,” while we are in Opposition. In fact, we are in government; it is you who think like a government in Opposition, unable to accept reality—watch your blood pressure. Some of you are sincere; many cannot accept that more of our people are in government than yours. Seek help for that condition.

¶ 08 You opposed education reforms with vile, misogynistic slurs against the Prime Minister and women—language unfit even for beasts. Your opposition has now turned into “8960”—deflated. You oppose everything good, orderly, clean, and democratic—because you inherited the Rajapaksa political culture of deceit.

¶ 09 Hon. Presiding Member, Dr. Harsha de Silva keeps claiming “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” is a lie. That is a half‑truth. We have opened a Treasury account lawfully to receive public funds to rebuild after “Ditva.” Cabinet has now approved establishing the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” Fund by statute; until the law is passed—a process that takes a month or two—the Treasury account operates legally to receive funds. Saying “there is no fund” is effectively telling people “don’t donate”—shameful. Yet people are donating—little children abroad breaking piggy banks to send £10; Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga directed funds not from her pocket, but from an institution she chairs—because she trusts every cent will be used properly. If the Rajapaksas or SJB were in power, would she do that?

¶ 10 For fully destroyed houses we have begun paying Rs. 5 million; construction has started within 40 days. For those who cannot yet rebuild or lack land, we are paying rent—Rs. 25,000 per month—until houses are built, plus Rs. 50,000 per month for living expenses per family. Which previous government did that? We have started these programs, and the Presidential Task Force on Rebuilding Sri Lanka, under the Prime Minister, is operational with subcommittees including non‑partisan professionals and businesspeople. We will also hold a donor conference, though historically no country receives even 10% of total disaster need through such conferences—not the Philippines, Afghanistan, nor the United States. Still, we will raise funds; we have already mobilized about Rs. 8.7 billion.

¶ 11 On transport and highways, including rail, we have moved rapidly to restore infrastructure—bridges and roads, including those used by members opposite to come here—these are national assets. Internationally, our performance has been commended. What we see here instead is an attempt to attack the government with any pretext just to get through the day.