The Hon. K. Ilankumaran

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, as MP for Jaffna District, first I express my deepest condolences to all who lost their lives due to the “Dissha” cyclone. I also convey condolences to members of the tri-forces and public officials who died during rescue operations.

¶ 02 In Jaffna District, there are 213,391 families and a population of 634,904. Of them, 16,918 families—53,828 persons—were affected. Our Minister acted swiftly and we must commend him. Without even going home, without a change of clothes, he left Colombo immediately after Parliament and worked day and night with us in Jaffna to assist the affected. We set up 59 temporary shelters promptly; now eight still house people.

¶ 03 Some allege Jaffna got more funds. I state that the Hon. President allocated funds proportionately to all areas. In Jaffna, 8.48 percent of the population was affected. In Kilinochchi, out of about 135,000 population and 50,752 families, 8,778 families—28,093 persons—were affected, about 20.8 percent. Leaders treated all areas equally; we must appreciate that. The Hon. President came to Parliament that morning and gave us impetus to go and work in our areas. He instructed that food be provided three times a day to people immediately. Previously, due to laws, the machinery could not act quickly to procure. In Kilinochchi, there was no firewood for cooking; we told the District Secretary to immediately buy gas cylinders. Some officials said they could not procure immediately; we asked them to buy and we would sort out payments through the Minister. That is how we proceeded.

¶ 04 Some now criticize; to them I say: the President decided that Rs. 25,000 be given to affected students. The tri-forces saved members of all communities without discrimination. One MP from Jaffna rushed back to Colombo fearing for his luxury apartment purchased with diaspora funds, leaving the people. I saw the video. He should thank the diaspora; without being an MP, he may not have had that apartment. He centred himself at Chavakachcheri Base Hospital, but people there have yet to receive any help from him. He says there was no damage in Jaffna—insulting those who elected him. Whether it is an Opposition plot or agenda, he will realize soon.

¶ 05 When we lacked support, the Hon. Minister helped us; we must thank him. He would have even more impetus serving in the estate sector where his classmates and friends could aid him. We regard him highly. Some mocked his attire; he came as he was, without spare clothes, and wore what was available there.

¶ 06 From abroad too, many sent relief to our party office; we did not keep any at the office, but distributed all to the people. I told our colleague that even our office needed relief as we had no food; we did not waste a cent of the people’s money. Funds sent from abroad were not taken to the party; on the President’s directive, a government mechanism is set up to receive and disburse swiftly through departments. We appreciate the President. If it were you, you might have put it into your personal funds. This is a government that will not steal people’s money in a disaster. Thank you.