The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe — Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply

¶ 01 We will believe all of Mr. Marikkar’s claims if he reads out the Homagama People’s Bank “aunt’s” account number and details he alleges. Don’t come here to fling mud and shout. That may work on those with no understanding.

¶ 02 You said we extend the emergency to silence people. We are not silencing anyone. We won’t silence Marikkar — in fact, as long as he keeps talking, the public better understands the truth. He was once a good investigative journalist; giving him a seat ruined that. Let him keep talking; the public can judge.

¶ 03 You also claimed there was a “popular uprising.” On May Day, your own supporters walked out without listening to your leader’s speech. That’s your “uprising.”

¶ 04 This debate is about extending the emergency. After the Ditha cyclone, the entire country was affected. Unlike the tsunami which struck limited districts, this cyclone impacted every district; within days, the country was paralyzed. By managing services, declaring essential services, and intervening, we restored daily life within a week or two.

¶ 05 We have taken steps to rebuild houses and infrastructure. The emergency extension enables continued delivery of 15 essential services and post-disaster facilitation. With the Middle East conflict causing global supply issues, this framework helps maintain stability. We have not suppressed anyone’s speech or media freedoms; if so, present specifics with evidence.

¶ 06 About housing: around 110,000 houses were partially damaged; about 6,000 fully destroyed. We announced a significant relief package. For a fully destroyed house, Rs. 500,000 is provided; implementation is ongoing. We have started payments to thousands of families nationwide; rebuilding has begun. On Sinhala-Hindu New Year 2026, the President marked customs at a rebuilt house with that family. Where rebuilding on original plots was unsafe, we are allocating state lands. Acquisition processes are usually lengthy, but under the emergency an Essential Services Commissioner-General has been appointed to expedite land allocation without the usual prolonged procedures.

¶ 07 We have delivered multiple allowances: Rs. 25,000 for floodwater entering homes; Rs. 50,000 for household goods losses; Rs. 10,000 for students’ books from the President’s Fund; Rs. 25,000 monthly rent for those unable to live at home. These payments, via Divisional Secretariats and Grama Niladharis, take time and have generated heavy workloads. Fuel quota systems also increased administrative burdens. The President personally convened District Secretaries to accelerate disbursements; payments have picked up in recent weeks.

¶ 08 Some officials still hesitate over the magnitude of amounts — but the relief we provided is real. Certain people cannot accept that. Hence, they try to drown out our work with false allegations — “coal fraud,” etc. A full-powered commission has been appointed; go and give evidence. Likewise, the USD 2.5 million Treasury matter involves complex institutional processes; narratives are being spun. We can rebut with facts.

¶ 09 The claim that we “bankrupted” the country is false; it was the 76-year “curse” that culminated in bankruptcy. We stabilized the economy. See the 2025 economic balance sheet and indicators. Dormant development projects have resumed; 2026 is for advancing major projects; 2027 for renewed growth. The public is not accepting the opposition’s stories; even their own supporters walked out. I conclude.