The Hon. K. Kader Masthan

¶ 01 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, I participate in today’s debate with great sorrow because many lives in Sri Lanka have been lost due to the storm and floods. I convey my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased, and I share in the suffering of all Sri Lankans who lost their belongings and have been severely affected.

¶ 03 The Government has handled this disaster with prudence. We need not hesitate to say so. The decisions taken by the Hon. President in consultation with others, the actions of Ministers, Government Agents and other officials, the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police and other security agencies helped ensure that the affected could find some measure of safety. Many foreign countries, including our neighbours, and NGOs provided immediate assistance. Our youth also rushed to help. I thank them here; this is truly commendable.

¶ 04 Mannar district suffered great destruction. In particular, within the Nanattan Divisional Secretariat Division, people from 14 Grama Niladhari divisions were displaced; many are still in camps. In the villages of Madukkarei, Aruvakkundru, and Isaimalai-thaalvu, the “tsunami-like” surges battered the area, and people’s belongings were swept away. Those people must be granted alternative land and housing. Similarly, in Musali Division—Veppankulam, 4th Kattai, Poonochchikulam, Maruthamadu and other villages—floodwaters destroyed properties. Proper compensation must be provided.

¶ 05 In Madu Division, in Kunchukulam and Periyamurippu, people lost all belongings. In many places, even where there was not massive damage, there were serious impacts. In the West Division, villages like Thettavaddi were turned upside down; people have lost everything—Devampitty, Third Pitty and others were badly affected. They too need alternative land. In Mannar island, due to poor drainage, Udayapuram and Vasanthapuram face flood damage repeatedly; this time also they were affected.

¶ 06 In Mullaitivu’s Maritimepattu Division, villages such as Siraddikulam, Palinagar and Nattanvandal faced heavy damage and require alternative land. Large bridges in the area—Nayaru, Thunukkai-Karaithuraipatru, and Vattuvagal—were damaged, as were upland agriculture and farmlands. In Vavuniya’s Kandhasami Nagar, living conditions are untenable; provide alternative land and housing schemes—land plus house—for those residents.

¶ 07 In Weli Oya, areas like Elambagaswewa and Nikkavewa suffered major impacts. The Kumar Oya bridge between Vavuniya and Bogaswewa was promised to be repaired long ago but has still not been done; repairing it would reduce harm.

¶ 08 Hon. Presiding Member: Please conclude, Hon. Member. There is a time issue.

¶ 09 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan: One minute, please!

¶ 10 In some places, Rs. 3,000 is paid to victims, while in others Rs. 25,000. Such nationwide disparity could lead to corruption. Assistance must reach all who are affected based on actual damage, not arbitrary variation. Everyone whose house or land was flooded should receive Rs. 25,000, along with other support schemes.

¶ 11 Hon. Presiding Member: Please conclude, Hon. Member.

¶ 12 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan: Considering Mannar is particularly affected, I request two more minutes to state the situation.

¶ 13 During this disaster, while some officials worked excellently, there are issues with some others. “Even if God grants, the priest withholds” is the kind of behaviour we see. Such actions must not happen. The Government must correctly identify victims and provide relief without any discrimination. Crop farming, animal husbandry, upland cultivation were all affected; many tanks have breached; many village roads are unusable. Please repair these quickly. With that, I state that I will support all Government programmes at this time.