The Hon. K. Ilankumaran

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, thank you for the time to deliver my maiden speech. As a first‑time MP from Jaffna, I am proud to raise our people’s issues in this House. Along with me, Dr. Bhavanandarajah and Hon. Rajeevan Jayachandramurthy from our party have also entered Parliament from the Northern Province. For the first time, Northern Province voters have given a national party a major mandate. We are determined to voice and resolve our people’s problems here.

¶ 02 This natural disaster affected the whole country, but especially the North. Jaffna recorded an unprecedented 253 mm of rainfall. The Disaster Management Centre warned us in advance just as we were elected. Acting on that, with the Hon. Minister of Fisheries, Irrigation and Ocean Resources, and at our party office with university intellectuals, we coordinated pre‑emptive work with the Municipal Council and Provincial and Local Authorities to clear channels to the sea, reducing potential damage. Despite our efforts, the North still flooded.

¶ 03 In Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Vavuniya, and Mannar, a total of 51,171 families—171,536 persons—were affected. There were two recorded deaths: one in Jaffna (a 71‑year‑old in a camp, due to cold) and one in Vavuniya. Because of preparedness, fatalities were low. We set up 82 camps; 312 families (992 persons) stayed. We worked hard to ensure relief.

¶ 04 While we were in Parliament, the Minister of Transport and Highways enabled us to visit the affected areas with the Fisheries Minister, which made on‑the‑ground assessment easier. The Minister personally visited even late at night; people said they had never had such a minister. He saw first‑hand severe damage to fishing boats and nets; we will arrange relief via the relevant ministry.

¶ 05 Government relief in food and essentials has reached people; we expect relief for crop losses too. In Jaffna, five houses were totally damaged and 196 partially; 21,980 families (73,693 persons) were affected. All Jaffna MPs joined in providing assistance. Even an independent MP, Mr. Ramanathan Archuna, immediately went to Vatharawaththai and helped amid the flood.

¶ 06 Advance preparations also enabled quick provision of mosquito nets and medical facilities to Kilinochchi. The diaspora also provided aid via friends and networks, even though many in Jaffna have no relatives abroad. MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam also visited during the disaster. Going forward, we will continue to voice our people’s rights and development needs here. Thank you.