Hon. M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani

¶ 01 What kind of country did we inherit? Both the people of this country and we ourselves are aware. In every sense — economic, political, and social — we took over a fallen nation. Within a year of forming a government in a bankrupt, shattered country, we then had to face what was definitively the most devastating natural disaster in Sri Lanka’s history. In truth, we had built within that year the environment to face strongly such a disaster in a bankrupt country. With economic stabilization and revenues across all sectors exceeding expectations, we have been able to work to restore the lives of our people afflicted by this calamity.

¶ 02 Previously, the major natural disaster we saw was the tsunami, with losses around USD 1 billion. According to a World Bank assessment, the impact of this disaster on infrastructure alone has been recorded at USD 4.1 billion. This is about four times the damage of the tsunami and estimated at approximately 4 percent of GDP. As of 2026.04.17, based on the latest data of the Disaster Management Unit, 64,901 families were affected; 220,044 persons have been impacted; 687 deaths were recorded; 147 are missing. Twenty relief centers are still sheltering our people. Fully damaged houses number 5,806; a further 109,629 houses have been partially damaged.

¶ 03 As a government, we had to intervene in three ways in people’s lives: - First, life-saving operations. All security forces, a large number of public officials, local residents, and we as the political authority fulfilled significant responsibilities. While rescue operations have ended, two issues remain: delivering assistance to all who need it and the mandate to rebuild the country post-disaster.

¶ 04 The primary purpose of extending the state of emergency is to successfully achieve these two end goals. Under the leadership of the President, we took several measures: Proclaimed an emergency by Gazette 2464/30; we are today extending it for the third time; emergency regulations were issued; 15 services essential to restore people’s lives were declared, with a broader list of services specified for those suffering due to the disaster. An Essential Services Commissioner-General has been appointed. Twenty-two districts have been declared as national disaster-affected areas. A Presidential Task Force named “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” has been established to lead post-disaster reconstruction. Eight special subcommittees were appointed to ensure that no sector is overlooked in delivering relief.

¶ 05 For the restoration of affected people’s lives, we allocated Rs. 720 billion in December 2025 and Rs. 5,000 billion in 2026. This is a matter of national relief and pride: even as a country that had collapsed, we are delivering substantial benefits due to the strength of this government. Under the State Finance Management Act, up to about 4.2 percent of GDP (Rs. 1,380 billion) can be provided; in the 2026 Budget, we have already allocated roughly a quarter of that. Beyond budgeted sums, we have set aside more to revive lives and rebuild essential infrastructure for those affected.

¶ 06 The Leader of the Opposition asked about progress of Rs. 50,000, Rs. 25,000, and Rs. 15,000 grants, and Rs. 500,000 assistance, etc. Regrettably, despite his claim of knowing everything about every domain, he seems unaware of these facts, so let me state them: - Rs. 25,000 grant for household restoration: delivered to 99.81% - Rs. 50,000 grant: delivered to 99.6% - Rs. 15,000 grant: delivered to 99.75% - Rent allowance: delivered to 90% - Livelihood loss grant: delivered to 83.93% - Death compensation: delivered to 85.18%

¶ 07 There remains a portion yet to receive some benefits within this package. On infrastructure, as raised by Hon. Members of the Opposition, we still have to rebuild railways and highways. We are extending the emergency to manage and expedite all of this.