The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, thank you for the time. The recent cyclone and flooding severely affected the Eastern and Northern Provinces, and in the South including Matara. As the cyclone tracked towards Tamil Nadu, India, impacts were felt there as well. On behalf of the Government, we express condolences to all families in Sri Lanka and India who suffered deaths, injuries, and losses.

¶ 02 A key point raised in this adjournment debate is that proper mechanisms were lacking. While we are a new Government, the machinery that operates during emergencies is the Disaster Management Centre together with public officials and the armed forces—many of whom served under previous governments as well. What was perhaps not recognized is a special distinguishing feature this time: beyond mere duty, people acted with a human, collective spirit. That spirit achieved much that money alone cannot measure. Defence officials, public servants, volunteer groups, and many Hon. Members worked with that empathy, preventing many issues we would otherwise be debating today. I extend due respect to them. The Deputy Minister of Defence, the Defence Secretary Mr. Sampath Thuyyakontha, the Army Commander Lt. Gen. Vikum Liyanage, and Additional Secretary (Disaster Management) Mr. K.G. Dharmathilaka intervened swiftly. I know this personally as I worked for Matara.

¶ 03 The disaster began in the South on the night of the 24th while A/L examinations started on the 25th morning, raising concerns on students’ access. We even discussed a possible three-day postponement with the Hon. Prime Minister. In Matara, the Akurassa, Athuraliya, Malimbada, Kamburupitiya and Weligama DS divisions are repeatedly flood-prone, and all five DS offices are led by women officers—Anoja (Akurassa), Nirosha (Athuraliya), Umesha (Malimbada), Chintha (Kamburupitiya) and Nadika (Weligama)—who worked through the night with disaster officers to provide relief, mobilizing defence assets: Army Unibuffels, tractors, Navy boats; and private tractors in Malimbada. Our aim was to get every A/L candidate to exam centres on time next morning. Volunteers came forward; nobody waited for circulars. Unsure how long waters would persist, we planned accordingly. With Mr. Dharmathilaka’s support, we obtained an immediate Rs. 1 million allocation to act in Matara. Unibuffels were few; we brought two more overnight. With Nilwala overflows threatening road cut-offs, officials stayed at offices through the night, some with their children, to coordinate vehicles. I thank them, including Asst. Director of the Matara Disaster Management Centre Lt. Col. Kalum Kudagama and ASP Nishantha de Soysa.

¶ 04 From 21 Nov to today, Rs. 149 million has been spent under National Security emergency relief. Between 15 May and 20 Oct 2024, the DMC was allocated Rs. 307 million. Total allocations this year are Rs. 505 million, with Rs. 282 million still remaining at district level for disaster response, including Ampara (Rs. 6.758 million), Batticaloa (Rs. 13 million), and Trincomalee (Rs. 2.028 million). Of the Rs. 735 million allocation for 2024, Rs. 565 million has been issued; Rs. 169 million remains under expenditure heads, plus Rs. 282 million at district level. We also thank the People’s Republic of China for around Rs. 30 million emergency support, and earlier Rs. 400 million during disasters in the North and South.

¶ 05 I can say with confidence that Hon. Ministers, Deputy Ministers, MPs and officials intervened responsibly without wastage or fraud. If any wrongdoing is found, the Opposition can bring it forward without fear. By contrast, regarding past issues: the Additional Secretary (Disaster Management) has referred to the CID for investigation alleged irregularities in relief distribution in Ampara—Addalachchenai, Pottuvil, Lahugala, and Akkarapattu—for the Dec 2023–Jan 2024 floods.

¶ 06 In our area the pattern used to be that people waited for vehicles to arrive; this time, the military waited from dawn with Unibuffels at inundated spots for students to pass. That was the difference.

¶ 07 [Interruption by Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen raising a point of order; exchange ensues.]

¶ 08 To be clear, I’m referring to historical patterns of misuse—pilfered dry rations and meal packets—that led to today’s investigations. If any misuse occurred now, let it be investigated. But this time, beyond official duty, empathy and solidarity prevailed.

¶ 09 In Akurassa’s Diyalape area a boat capsized during evacuations; fortunately, no casualties occurred, and all were rescued swiftly due to efficient intervention.

¶ 10 Hon. Bathiudeen, I acknowledge that you, too, worked tirelessly on the ground with NGOs and others. We recognize the spirit that brought many together. Going forward, the public will demand such engagement from all of us; otherwise, they will not return us to Parliament.

¶ 11 Disasters are not partisan; they compel us to work correctly. We will not allow disaster relief to be politicized again. In my district, within three days we provided dry rations and sent people back home after stabilizing conditions. I thank all state officials, the tri-forces, the Defence Secretary and the Deputy Defence Minister. The Education Minister swiftly ensured no A/L candidate was disadvantaged.

¶ 12 Thank you, Hon. Bathiudeen, for bringing this debate.