The Hon. Kader Masthan

¶ 01 Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim.

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, I wish to contribute a few thoughts to this Adjournment Debate on the recent natural disaster. The public have been under severe hardship since the 21st. It is truly disheartening that, in a debate of this importance, some in the Opposition have fewer present to express views.

¶ 03 In the Vanni District, the Hon. Deputy Minister Upali Samarasinghe and all MPs of the district were on the ground directly identifying the people’s needs. From the President and Government Agents, to the tri-forces, Grama Niladharis, Samurdhi Officers, NGOs and civil organizations, everyone rendered all possible services to those affected. Funding may have been from the Government, but they protected people, took them to temporary shelters and provided food. We extend our thanks to all who helped, including instances where people had to be rescued by boats. People appreciated those efforts at the camps. Still, damages and losses remain high. Nearly all districts of the country were affected; approximately 470,000 persons have been impacted.

¶ 04 Hon. Presiding Member, during the floods, food was responsibly provided at shelters. However, due to fear of theft and cultural reasons, some could not leave their homes for shelters, and providing food to them posed serious difficulties, essentially due to a circular. We repeatedly requested in the past to amend that circular, but it has not been changed. I believe this Government, which came to serve the people, will change it. Those responsible for disaster relief who conduct field visits and report should be able to arrange food for such people as well. As people’s representatives, officials, NGOs and we—working district-wide—insist, this must be addressed.