The Hon. Kabir Hashim

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, I wish to make a statement on behalf of the Opposition.

¶ 02 Today there was a Party Leaders’ Meeting. We were given very little time to speak about the situation in Parliament. We did not expect to debate; given the very sensitive current situation we did not wish to engage in political criticism. However, despite prior warnings from the Department of Meteorology about the impending disaster, this Parliament did not discuss and take policy decisions, and we now see the repercussions. If we are not allowed space to discuss, from a policy perspective, what should be done now, we will make many mistakes. Lives were lost yesterday and could be lost tomorrow. Without looking at Government or Opposition, we must talk together as a team. Therefore we requested time to present views and take decisions.

¶ 03 Usually, when there is such risk, reservoir levels are reduced gradually. If heavy rains are expected and spill gates are opened suddenly, people get swept away. Water was not released in time. Take Kotmale: more than 1,000 people in Gampola town were affected because spill gates were opened at once. Had water been gradually released since the 12th, 75% of lives could have been saved. If we had discussed this in Parliament, setting politics aside, we could have shared experience and ideas. Similar issues occurred in 2016 when spill gates of the Deduru Oya were opened at once. The Government failed to act in time. Do not be ashamed to admit mistakes; correct them now and work together to prevent such disasters. People cannot even return to their homes; please put a proper policy framework in place. We are ready to fully cooperate with the Government to assist the affected.