The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan

¶ 01 Hon. Chairman, the entire country is in shock; many families are destitute and many lives have been lost. We extend our deepest condolences.

¶ 02 In our province—particularly Nuwara Eliya, and also Badulla and Kandy—people are suffering immense hardships. In Nuwara Eliya District, 38 camps have been set up; in Norwood 34; Nildandahinna 63; Walapane 36; Hanguranketha 35; Kotmale 48; Talawakelle 29—altogether 283 camps sheltering 6,959 families, 24,681 people. Reported deaths are 89; missing 73. The Government must immediately outline how it will assist them. Much of this crisis stems from Government inaction; timely measures could have reduced losses.

¶ 03 Badulla is severely affected and rebuilding may take years. Immediate needs must be met. We were told each Grama Niladhari Division would get Rs. 50,000 for urgent needs and each DS Division Rs. 5,000,000. To date, many have not received funds. In Kandapola, we saw that until our visit on the 29th, no official relief had reached 850 people in the camp; local dignitaries helped instead. The GN told us they had been told to purchase at Sathosa, but goods were not available; roads were cut; supplies were taken by those with means.

¶ 04 In Nuwara Eliya, livelihoods rest on plantations, agriculture and tourism. Plantations have been heavily hit. Roads are cut, rivers swollen; families in Kandapola lost multiple members, with bodies still missing. Estate workers are being told by Police and superintendents to return home promising assistance, but where can they go if houses are gone? Rain may return soon. Telling people to leave camps for Rs. 25,000 to “clean” houses is unrealistic; first ensure their safety.

¶ 05 I urge that land be allocated—10 to 20 perches—to resettle these affected families safely. If they can build, let them; otherwise Government should build. Give them first priority.

¶ 06 They also lack income; without a house, how can they go to work? Provide income support until livelihoods resume. Immediately restore roads and electricity in Nuwara Eliya; water was unavailable for three days in Nuwara Eliya Municipal area. I speak for estate communities: allocate land and resettle them safely.

¶ 07 For years, families have lived precariously along the Nuwara Eliya racecourse embankments; a small rain inundates them. They were promised housing by successive governments but remain in danger. Resolve this at last with permanent resettlement.

¶ 08 Tourism must be restored—upcountry rail links are essential. Much of Sri Lanka’s tourism relies on access to Ella and Badulla; rail lines built 150 years ago are now broken. Rehabilitate the upcountry railway urgently; buses alone will not suffice. India responded first with bridge components and relief; we should request India to assist with upcountry rail rehabilitation, as many tourists come from India.

¶ 09 Agriculture in Nuwara Eliya is devastated; it will take 5–6 years to rebuild soils and terraces. Pay compensation to vegetable farmers promptly, alongside fertilizer support, livelihood grants and concessional bank loans. Otherwise the country will be forced to import vegetables.

¶ 10 Kotmale is badly affected, with 48 camps sheltering about 2,400 families (19,573 people). Ramboda suffered massive landslides. Houses are gone and people cannot return; previously about ten rebuilt houses in that area were again destroyed. With reservoirs below, there is public fear that slopes are destabilized—whatever the cause, the people need help and safe relocation.

¶ 11 Officials must visit villages promptly. Even now, some have not recorded details of the affected. Intensify GN-level assessments and deliver timely assistance. As for plantation wages, we will raise that later; now, please honour your commitments fully despite the disaster.

¶ 12 This Parliament sits today to focus on what must be done next for our people. International partners—India, Pakistan, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia and others—are helping. We rebuilt after the tsunami; we can rebuild again. This is our land—we must unite, put politics aside, and work together. The Government must lead and also listen to the Opposition. Only together can we succeed.

¶ 13 Tourism lifted us after COVID; we must protect it. Kandy District—Gampola, Ulapane, Nawalapitiya and Kotmale—has seen repeated slides; long-term engineering solutions and safer resettlement are needed, as in Halduwmulla. Let us grow the economy and serve together, lest this disaster topple yet another administration. Manage the recovery well and avert further instability. Thank you.