The Hon. P. Ruwan Senarath - Deputy Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government

¶ 01 Madam Deputy Chairperson of Committees, today’s important debate concerns extending the state of emergency under Section 2 of the 1979 No. 61 Essential Public Services Act, considering the disaster situation caused by the “Ditva” cyclone, to safeguard public security, ensure normalcy, and maintain essential supplies and services.

¶ 02 The Opposition Leader asked whether the Minister spoke from the ground or the clouds. We would also ask where they were—on earth or in the clouds—when compensation and resettlement were needed during events between 2015–2019.

¶ 03 This proposal is not mere routine administration. It is a responsibility undertaken to protect national security, public order, the safety of lives, and stability of the country. We live in a world of threats—terrorism, organized crime, narcotics trafficking, cyber threats, economic crises, and disasters—that directly impact state stability. Emergency powers must be viewed beyond partisan lenses; globally, such legal frameworks enable governments to protect citizens in abnormal times.

¶ 04 During recent events, we saw the importance of emergency powers and essential public services. With Ditva and resultant floods, the Government acted promptly. Security forces intervened immediately, evacuations were carried out, essential supplies and distributions were maintained, and transport and communications protected. Threatening conduct to public security was controlled. Special legal powers were needed to do this. The people did not expect mere political diatribe; they expected strong state intervention, which we provided.

¶ 05 We remember April 2019. If a government is unprepared, innocent lives are lost. We must be proactive, not reactive.

¶ 06 The Middle East war has disrupted global oil and gas supplies. As an import-dependent nation, if supply shocks persist, we need to ensure procurement and uninterrupted continuation of critical operations—hence the need to extend emergency provisions.

¶ 07 We also witnessed hoarding and attempts to profiteer. Extending emergency measures helps prevent breakdowns and enables swift action.

¶ 08 For over a year of our administration, we had no need to proclaim emergency—until Ditva. The storm reduced 1,700 km of railway lines by around 450 km operationally. Sri Lanka Railways, the Tri-Forces, the Buildings Research Organization, and others, together with the public, are rapidly restoring services, but more time is needed. The Cabinet decided to implement an interim housing program in Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, and Kegalle. Costs will rise, but lives matter more than money.

¶ 09 Though floodwaters recede, people’s tears remain. Our ministers, MPs, security forces, officials, and staff continue to labor to restore normalcy, as we did during disasters under previous governments—paying compensation and providing housing.

¶ 10 Emergency is not a permanent governance method; it is a temporary legal framework, operating under parliamentary oversight, judicial review, and constitutional limits.

¶ 11 History teaches that failing to take necessary decisions at the right time leads to greater costs later. I respectfully urge the House to approve the extension of the emergency to protect national security, public order, public safety, and stability during natural disasters.