The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure

¶ 01 Madam Presiding Member, we are facing the largest natural disaster in our lifetimes. Many beloved citizens have lost their lives; others are missing; a vast number are affected. I express condolences to all families.

¶ 02 As Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure, I note: at Craighead Estate in Kandy, 15 lives were lost; two lines entirely buried. In Badulla’s Kahagolla, one family lost three; in Roberiya Watte, four; in Dikella Watte, four. Our first tea plantations’ line rooms have collapsed; 12 lives have been lost there. There is no sector untouched; the gravity must be understood.

¶ 03 Unlike the tsunami that hit coastal waters, this calamity affected an enormous land area. In my view, its national impact is 30–40 times greater than the tsunami. Rebuilding a mountain road is far costlier than on flat land; when mountains collapse, recovery is very hard. Even the strongest governments struggle to manage such events and deliver instant relief.

¶ 04 Within nine days since heavy rains started on the 26th, at 9.00 a.m. on the 27th, the President convened a meeting in Committee Room No. 1. He personally called the Leader of the Opposition to join before proceeding to the Chair, to manage this together. What did the Opposition do? They set aside national disaster management and tried to manage their own political disaster. When they handed over the country, they left it with billions in foreign debt. Part of those borrowings funded environmentally harmful “development,” worsening today’s damage. Now we must both service their debt and fix the damage.

¶ 05 They also claim on November 12 they warned of this. If they knew, why not raise it during the ongoing Committee Stage debates? They did not. They must be accountable if they knew and said nothing.

¶ 06 On Badulla: on the 27th at 7.00 p.m., we resolved to convene the District Disaster Management Committee daily. I asked the District Secretary to inform Opposition MPs—yet none have attended to discuss. Daily at 7.00 a.m. and 7.00 p.m. we met. As of last night’s report, Badulla had 90 deaths; 15,008 displaced families; 51,457 affected persons; 159 safety centers operating, feeding 24,396 people.

¶ 07 On utilities: On the 27th when I asked NWS&DB about water, all supplies were down—95,915 connections. Intakes and plants were washed away over kilometers. As of today, 89.5%—the vast majority—have been restored. On electricity: of 299,222 consumers, 197,798 had no power on the 27th night. 844 transformers were down; four at Welimada washed away. With CEB engineers, volunteer crews, and union teams, by 8.00 p.m. daily repairs advanced; now only about 124 transformers remain, with 80% supply restored.

¶ 08 Roads: Of 36 RDA roads, 25 were destroyed. As of today, except seven, all have been reopened for essential access. You can travel Mahiyanganaya–Badulla; Badulla–Welimada–Keppetipola–Gawarammana; tomorrow to Rendapola. Badulla–Passara is open. On Lunugala road up to km post 151 is accessible; beyond that, shuttle crossings from both ends are arranged. Ella–Wellawaya road is open. In nine days, the military, volunteers, and officials made this possible.

¶ 09 Under previous governments, officials would have been blocked and undermined; we remember. Today, two great forces join: the State and the Volunteer Spirit. Together we will rebuild RDA, PRDA, and Provincial roads. Of 497 provincial roads damaged, 165 were fully destroyed; only about 30 remain to be opened, and works have begun. Backhoes increased from 6 to 36, mobilized nationwide and hired. Provincial roads are being repaired. Under UDA/ID (referred agencies), 6 bridges are undermined and 10 destroyed; temporary access at Janatapura (Matara team’s effort) was established by 3.00 a.m. the other day. Despite some local chairmen obstructing, we persist.

¶ 10 Communications: Of 175 SLT towers, 76 fell; 70 repaired by last night; 6 remain.

¶ 11 Hospitals: 14 hospitals were incapacitated. After Badulla, Mahiyanganaya is the key base in Uva. When floods came, 263 in lower wards were moved to upper floors; machinery was saved. Lower wards were devastated, but within 72 hours we resumed treatments at Mahiyanganaya—a national and perhaps global record. Dialysis for 137 patients resumed; 30 treated the other night.

¶ 12 Kandegedara Hospital was relocated and started within 72 hours. Across the country, similar efforts are underway.

¶ 13 Irrigation: 250 anicuts, 550 canals, and 12 major tanks are damaged. From next week, we launch a major campaign to repair all in Uva within two weeks to deliver water where needed.

¶ 14 On transport: Of 3,358 SLTB buses, 221 were operating by yesterday; of 618 private buses, 344. We ensured people did not starve—kos (jackfruit), del (breadfruit), villagers, and the State all helped. Roberiya was cut off for five days; the first day 350 soldiers and 250 of our relief force carried loads over 16 km of steep hills; the second day I too carried a sack to give courage; thereafter we sent four helicopter sorties; the road was then cut open to Galaniya.

¶ 15 We did not come to show off stars on cabs; some had stars on caps, not on vehicles. Do not belittle those who devoted themselves.

¶ 16 Finally, to our people: this Government is committed to protect you. With proper planning and dedication—from government, officials, and the people—we will advance. A few sow confusion, but their grievances are not answered here. I thank all who toiled day and night—the District Secretariat met from 7.00 p.m. till 1.30 a.m., then resumed at dawn. We also led interfaith memorials at Muthiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya for those lost. We fed, rebuilt roads, and now address mental well-being programs nationwide. I especially thank the President for issuing circulars, approvals, and acting at express speed; the tri-forces, Police, Civil Security, religious leaders, and volunteer groups; expatriate Sri Lankans and foreign states assisting, beyond politics. Though a few in the Opposition helped, others tried to disrupt. In time, we will take the country to a better place.

¶ 17 Thank you.