The Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I am pleased to join the debate to extend the state of emergency under the Public Security Ordinance.

¶ 02 The “Ditva” cyclone in November 2025 caused heavy rains, floods, and landslides affecting many regions including the Central Province, with hundreds of deaths and thousands losing homes and livelihoods—particularly in Kandy, Badulla, Kegalle, and Nuwara Eliya. People were sheltered in temporary camps. Police, armed forces, and rescue units engaged in relief, with assistance from India and others.

¶ 03 As we were rebuilding the economy from collapse due to past corruption, Ditva struck. International and local reports anticipated heavy losses. Despite global turbulence, including Middle East conflicts, we managed fuel and gas imports through our rebuilt foreign reserves, and implemented QR systems where necessary.

¶ 04 The government has organized programs to compensate losses—collecting data and paying compensation despite departmental workloads. Farmers, producers, workers, and fishers were all affected; we are compensating, rebuilding, and reconstructing houses, allocating significant funds. Agricultural lands, bunds, and infrastructure were damaged; through “Rebuilding Sri Lanka,” NBRI, Divisional and District Secretariats, works are ongoing, though some delays occurred.

¶ 05 Despite economic strain, we continue development, absorbing shocks from Ditva and global instability. While the Opposition levels accusations, people know what is true. In Ampara, many were affected; the government is paying farm, fishery, and livelihood compensations. Rail lines between Colombo–Trincomalee and Jaffna–Trincomalee were damaged and are being rebuilt. Of 292 identified damaged roads, 288 have been restored for use. Agriculture suffered: around 1,777 tanks, 483 bunds, 1,936 canals, and 328 agri-roads were damaged; 137,265 acres of paddy were affected—compensation is being paid progressively.

¶ 06 Twenty-two bridges across provinces were damaged—now being repaired in phases. Using the Public Security Ordinance responsibly, we intend to reach targets the people expect. I urge Opposition cooperation.