The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 It appears the NPP Government is acting quickly. We hope this pace continues.

¶ 02 There is also an issue regarding the Valathapitty tank in Ampara: fearing an imminent breach, the responsible irrigation engineer reportedly cut the bund, which then sent water into the village, worsening flooding. A proper inquiry is needed. In all coastal areas of Ampara, especially along the Kalloya basin, recurrent year‑end floods require proper drainage planning and completion. Irrigation engineers must consult communities beforehand and act responsibly.

¶ 03 In Kalmunai North/ Kalkudah area, when Mathuru Oya swells, villages without drainage repeatedly flood and people are displaced: Kondayanchenai, Paturiya, Mancholai, Semmannodai, Meeraodai Tamil village, Kinnayadi, Mavadichchenai and others. As Minister previously, I initiated gabion walls and channel widening through these areas, but works remain incomplete. Eastern Province Irrigation officials should deploy floating equipment to dredge and complete these works. I have met the Eastern Governor in Kalmunai/Kalkudah and written to him seeking support.

¶ 04 Our party’s new National List MP, Hon. Nazeem, has provided equipment and relief from his own funds—we thank him.

¶ 05 Sir, I also urge revival of the World Bank/ADB‑funded Climate Resilience Improvement Project (CRIP) to address infrastructure shortfalls in flood‑prone areas, especially drainage. The Ministry of Finance and External Resources Department should request the World Bank to revive and fund it, given our debt constraints and the concessional nature of such financing.

¶ 06 Finally, absence of flood embankments along certain rivers has repeatedly endangered villages like Nasivantivu, Kāvathamunai and the area around Mukhideen Abdul Khader grounds. The Government should build flood protection embankments on both banks.

¶ 07 Hon. Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne is in the House: beyond six months of paddy insurance, ensure crop insurance also covers up‑country and low‑country vegetable and fruit farmers urgently. Thank you.