The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, first I thank Hon. Bimal Rathnayake and all party leaders for granting this debate on compensation for those affected by the recent extreme weather.

¶ 02 Over the past week I visited many places in Nuwara Eliya, which I represent. There is a serious problem requiring government action. A total of 1,495 persons have been affected by rain and landslides; 467 are in temporary shelters; 601 are with relatives and friends; and 353 cannot go back to their line rooms because companies and officials have said not to. This repeats at every disaster in the estates. This is not the fault of any particular President or Prime Minister; it is a systemic estate-sector issue. We discuss compensation and house rebuilding each time, but we still lack a permanent solution.

¶ 03 Administrative problems are greater in the estates than elsewhere. Estate companies send people back to unsafe locations. The real solution is to grant land rights. For example, in Dunsinane estate with three divisions, 60 families have lost homes and live in temporary shelters. Of 404 houses built there, many have been sold to outsiders, and 50–60 remain unoccupied. If given to the 60 affected families, they would be safe. Instead, the GN says they must return to dangerous line rooms. We saw firsthand that living there is unsafe and foolish given future flood and landslide risks. Government and Opposition alike must act.

¶ 04 We have written both to the Indian High Commission and Elpitiya Plantations and received letters, which we sent to the Ministry of Estate Infrastructure. They will decide whether those houses can be handed over to the people. I urge the Government to focus on this and resolve it. Even if compensation is paid or relocations are done, each family still needs a home.

¶ 05 There are about 157,000 families in the hills. Building a house today is difficult for anyone, Government or Opposition, due to the economy. I do not criticize that. Therefore, I propose that people be given land so they can safeguard themselves. Over 5,000 families have been affected; there are around 14,000 temporary dwellings in the hills, many located in high-risk zones.

¶ 06 I congratulate Hon. Pradeep Sundaralingam, the new Deputy Minister responsible for plantations. The community has expectations of you. Take bold decisions, bring companies to the table, and deliver what is needed for the plantation community.

¶ 07 Relief from plantation companies has not yet reached people. There is also a small confusion on the Government side that must be resolved. Currently, officials tell families in camps to return to line rooms, but those places are unsafe. People are trapped—unable to remain in camps or return home. Please intervene and secure a solution.

¶ 08 Best wishes to all new Members. Though we all want to help on the ground during disasters, we also have a duty to raise these matters here. Regardless of political differences, the President’s vision is to bring all communities together. Let us travel together for five years, give no space to racism anywhere, cooperate where needed, and work for positive change. Thank you.