The Hon. R.G. Wijerathna

¶ 01 Thank you, Madam Deputy Chairperson.

¶ 02 We are debating extending Emergency Regulations under the Public Security Ordinance. The severity of “Ditwah” is well known. In my Nuwara Eliya District alone, 245 canals were destroyed; 89 anicuts collapsed; 9 small tanks were ruined; 81 agricultural roads were destroyed; about 280 km of RDA roads were damaged. Therefore, declaring emergency was supported by both Government and Opposition; the President addressed Parliament and we acted together.

¶ 03 On payments in Nuwara Eliya: Rs. 25,000 grants amounting to Rs. 531.75 million have been paid; Rs. 50,000 grants totaling Rs. 50.6 million have been paid; schoolchildren’s Rs. 15,000 grants total Rs. 15.5 million. Island-wide agricultural compensation paid as of yesterday stands at Rs. 2.12 billion to 50,522 farmers. Within roughly 70 days, significant progress has been made.

¶ 04 However, this is not over. Technical capacity is needed to properly restore canals and infrastructure—engineering expertise and NBRO guidance are essential; normal arrangements are insufficient. Coordination across agencies under the Essential Services Commissioner General is therefore necessary. RDA alone cannot restore over 45% damaged road networks without broader support. The Tri-Forces have also provided critical assistance beyond their usual duties; continuing to lawfully mobilize them efficiently requires the emergency framework.

¶ 05 Since the Emergency was declared with cross-party understanding, and since we all worked together on relief, let us, again together, extend it for a further period to stabilize conditions and complete the restoration.