The Hon. Upali Samarasinghe - Deputy Minister of Co-operative Development

¶ 01 Hon. Chairman, today we discuss the allocations of the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development. Before that, at a time when everyone is expressing views on the national emergency, as the District Coordinating Committee Chair for Vavuniya, Mannar and Mullaitivu in the Vanni Electoral District, I must first record in this House the tireless, round-the-clock work done in those areas by Government Agents, Divisional Secretaries, Grama Niladharis and the entire state machinery, together with political teams including us. The Opposition keeps alleging that circulars prevented officials from working and that political authorities interfered. In fact, in these districts, the Ceylon Electricity Board, the Ministry of Transport and Highways, the Department of Agrarian Development, the Irrigation Department—all agencies—worked extremely hard. During rescue, the Sri Lanka Police and the tri-forces intervened rapidly.

¶ 02 Fortunately, Vavuniya and Mullaitivu suffered relatively less. But Mannar was severely affected. It was said that MPs in charge of Mannar did not intervene. Hon. Jegadeeswaran, in charge of Mannar, stayed there continuously for five days, coordinating work, despite phone and power outages. Teams used boats with great difficulty to work with the administration for five days. Other MPs’ intervention was comparatively low. About 145 persons were rescued by air by the Air Force and other forces. In some villages, food had to be air-dropped for two to three days.

¶ 03 In Mullaitivu, our MP Hon. Dr. Thilakanadan stayed for several days addressing public issues, with significant intervention by the tri-forces and officials. Also noteworthy is how, regardless of circumstances, Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim people and multi-ethnic leaders rendered exemplary service. In this Parliament, Northern Members often call to remove or limit the military presence. But in this incident, about 80 percent of the interventions were by the military. Some Tamil residents said that if the camps had not been removed earlier, they would have received even more relief. Often, for political gain, statements are made; but when calamity strikes our districts, the role of the tri-forces and police in rescuing people is immense and now tangibly felt in the North; they appreciated that fraternity.

¶ 04 Some say many are still in camps without adequate relief. In Mannar, about 50 percent of camps have already been closed and people returned home with support. In Vavuniya, there were 58 welfare centres; all have now been closed and people returned to their villages. Health units are established, and necessary treatments for communicable diseases are provided. Dry rations have already been distributed. Today, 300 volunteers are cleaning homes in our districts; tomorrow, 150 from Anuradhapura will go to Mannar to assist. Civil society and friendly organizations have joined beyond the state machinery to restore basic facilities.

¶ 05 In Vavuniya, 119 tanks were breached; sandbagging has been done on about 43 so far to enable this season’s cultivation. The Air Force, Police and Army are assisting. Whatever the Opposition says, we have already reduced the severe damage to a minimum. Crop damage is heavy, but at least we are arranging inputs for the current season—seeds, fertilizer and seed paddy. Breached points are being temporarily sandbagged; canals repaired; sluices fixed to enable cultivation. Drinking water, electricity and main road issues in the three districts are largely resolved. I believe we can recover quickly.

¶ 06 Let me say to the Opposition: the real work is on the ground. Our officials have been given all necessary powers and courage via circulars. The political authority has helped. We worked together without racial or religious divisions. Both domestically and internationally we are receiving support. Based on that assistance and relief, we believe we can soon overcome this and take the country to a better place. I appeal to all who love the country, Sri Lankans abroad, and the Opposition to support this effort.

¶ 07 Thank you.