Hon. Wasantha Piyathissa - Deputy Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, due to the cyclone “Fengal” on the 25th and the ensuing floods, a disaster situation arose in the country. This debate is held pursuant to the motion to adjourn moved by Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen. In particular, the Ampara District suffered extensive damage. It can be identified as one of the most-affected districts. Eleven persons in the Ampara District lost their lives, including seven children. Islandwide, 17 persons died. First, we express our condolences to all their families.

¶ 02 We visited the seven homes in Sammanthurai area where the deceased children had lived, together with the Deputy Minister of Defence and a group of our MPs. We expressed our sorrow to the parents and relatives. It was a deeply emotional moment.

¶ 03 Historically, during monsoons we talk every year about floods and landslides; compensation is paid; special operations are conducted for a short time; plans are discussed. But after a month or two, everything is forgotten, and action is only discussed again when the next flood comes. However, we must tell the people that under a National People’s Power Government we have a plan, a vision, and an order of work. We can never stop flooding 100 per cent, especially due to unscientific human activities and various irregularities that contribute to floods. Therefore, by preventing avoidable causes, preparing basic plans, and enacting necessary regulations and orders, we shall manage this situation as a responsible government.

¶ 04 Briefly on Ampara: 46,766 families, comprising 161,916 persons, were affected. A total of 5,367 persons from 1,891 families were sheltered in 53 camps and have now returned home. In addition, 41,070 persons from 11,841 families stayed with relatives for several days. Eighty-four houses were totally destroyed and 905 houses were partially damaged.

¶ 05 Agriculture suffered heavily. In the 2024/25 Maha season, paddy had been sown on 205,044 acres in Ampara; 44,979 acres were affected. Field crops such as maize, chilli and vegetables sustained significant damage. Assessments are underway, including breakdowns of full and partial losses.

¶ 06 We acknowledge farmers’ complaints about delays in inspections: officers not visiting fields or plots, or seeing ruined maize. According to circulars, a team of four or five officers must inspect each plot. When one team covers a large area, delays can occur. Yet under a special operation, we must expedite this. Even short delays cause great hardship, pushing people to seek the Divisional Secretary or Grama Niladhari and face complex situations. If there are obstacles to issuing assessment reports, we must remove them and, if necessary, adopt new procedures.

¶ 07 We are working under existing regulations and we trust officers to act efficiently. If any officer delays, evades, or ignores duties at such a time, it is unacceptable. We raise this because we receive complaints. For Ampara’s crop losses, Departments of Agriculture and Agrarian Development estimate about Rs. 3,000 million in compensation.

¶ 08 Six tanks and two anicuts were fully damaged; 69 canals and 15 storm-water drains were damaged. The Irrigation Department estimates about Rs. 2,000 million for repairs. Provincial roads, access roads and tank bunds suffered structural damage requiring about Rs. 96.7 million. About 54 RDA road sections, including bridges and culverts, were damaged, with an estimated Rs. 300 million. We saw a major bridge collapse on the Akkaraipattu–Kalmunai main road near Addalachchenai; a temporary steel bridge from Colombo has been installed, but a permanent bridge is needed. To restore the road network permanently, around Rs. 1,760.5 million is required. Seven provincial roads were destroyed; temporary repairs need Rs. 32.5 million and permanent repairs about Rs. 230 million. A total of 324 local authority roads were damaged; permanent repairs are estimated at Rs. 3,503 million.

¶ 09 In 806 coastal locations there were damages: 59 boats partially or fully damaged; 507 fishing nets destroyed; two boat engines damaged; one fisheries housing unit totally destroyed; fish markets damaged. About Rs. 100 million is needed for repairs.

¶ 10 Water supply in Kalmunai, Sainthamaruthu and Nintavur was interrupted and is being restored. People in Lahugala, Hulannuge, Pottuvil, Komari, Thirukkovil, Alayadivembu, Akkaraipattu, Addalachchenai and Kalmunai were severely affected. We visited Addalachchenai, Kalmunai and Akkaraipattu on the 28th, observed the situation, discussed with engineers and agriculture officers, and that morning convened all officials at the Ampara District Secretariat with the Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Hon. Upali Pannilage, the Minister of Power and the Deputy Minister of Lands and Highways. We reviewed DS division by DS division and GN division by GN division, and took action to provide relief. Shortcomings and delays can occur due to systemic weaknesses, resource constraints, and time taken to mobilize rescue boats, which can risk lives. Therefore, the Disaster Management Centre must be restructured and strengthened at district, divisional, and GN levels, and necessary resources allocated.

¶ 11 As to causes: unplanned development, lack of proper scientific planning, and failure to act in anticipation. Governments bear a serious responsibility. For example, the Gal Oya scheme, built in the 1950s, requires major rehabilitation of its left and right bank canals and anicuts, which are now weak, making breaches likely under high flows. Without investing in rehabilitation and a scientific flood mitigation plan, these problems will recur. We must adopt scientific procedures to minimize flood risks and ensure special plans for low-lying drainage in Kalmunai, Sammanthurai and Sainthamaruthu. We will act swiftly, and for all affected people we reiterate our condolences and commitment to provide necessary assistance.

¶ 12 Thank you.