The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. Following Hon. Upali Samarasingha, I am pleased to speak in this debate on the recent natural disaster. In the Vanni District, Mannar was worst hit, followed by Mullaitivu; all three districts were affected. There is essentially no drainage infrastructure. As the Deputy Minister said, main roads are raised above ground level, preventing water flow and sending it into homes. Moreover, in Mannar, the wind power project was implemented hastily without proper planning; each flood now causes more damage there. The Deputy Minister rightly said past governments’ mistakes are manifesting now. The people elected you to correct them—so focus not on the past but on what you will do now. The Government’s primary duty is to develop drainage infrastructure.

¶ 02 Not only paddy farmers but also smallholders growing pulses and vegetables are affected. Many took bank loans. They ask to be allowed to repay loans after recovery, with extended grace periods—or even to have loans waived. Please consider this compassionately to enable resumption of paddy, pulses like black gram and green gram, and vegetables like brinjal.

¶ 03 I have long asked ministers and senior officials to visit the Vanni. During this disaster, ministers did pay attention to the Vanni; I thank them. Our Deputy Minister promptly convened Development Committee meetings in all three districts and secured necessary funds on the spot.

¶ 04 Many small tanks have breached; I personally saw the Periyamadukku tank water level up to the bund crest, with weaknesses—old scars that, if breached, would wipe out three to four villages. Government must urgently rehabilitate tanks and implement drainage measures.

¶ 05 Fisherfolk have also been badly hit, unable to go to sea; they should be compensated. The temporarily displaced have now returned to their homes… (Speech continued.)