The Hon. Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Presiding Member. I reiterate: we are maintaining Emergency solely to ensure uninterrupted public services under the conditions created by Cyclone “Ditwah” and the Middle East conflict, and to implement a rapid programme to restore services affected by “Ditwah”.

¶ 02 Claims that we used Emergency to detain youths or stop gatherings are false. We have not used Emergency for our anti-narcotics operations either.

¶ 03 Allow me to record the progress achieved using the Emergency and essential services laws. Immediately after “Ditwah”, we paid Rs. 25,000 to households to clean and re-occupy their homes — now 99.8 percent disbursed. We gave Rs. 50,000 for kitchen and household items — 99.68 percent progress. For fully destroyed houses where livelihoods were disrupted, a three-month monthly allowance has reached 83.9 percent. Rent support of Rs. 25,000 for those displaced due to landslides/floods has 90.1 percent progress. For schoolchildren affected, Rs. 15,000 per child for books and clothing is at 99.8 percent; an additional Rs. 10,000 from the President’s Fund has reached 95.9 percent.

¶ 04 For agriculture and livestock losses: Rs. 200,000 to cattle farmers — 95 percent progress; Rs. 150,000 per hectare for paddy — 98 percent; Rs. 200,000 per hectare for vegetables/chillies/onions/fruits — 99 percent; Rs. 150,000 per hectare for grains/field crops — 60 percent; Rs. 100,000 one-time grant to inland fishers — 100 percent; for partially damaged boats/repairs — 82 percent.

¶ 05 We must rapidly and carefully restore infrastructure — houses, highways, and railways. The President has directed that rebuilding should be better than before: stronger homes, better roads, and safer infrastructure, incorporating disaster risk reduction and scientific siting per Geological Survey and Mines Bureau recommendations. Railway repairs now show 79 percent progress; more work remains on highways. Overall, through Emergency we have delivered results to the people.

¶ 06 I acknowledge the painful history many have with Emergency. We understand the concerns of affected communities and their representatives. But our usage has not been to oppress; the data proves it. We maintain Emergency not to protect the Government, but to deliver relief and services efficiently under current conditions. Thank you.