The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and the Leader of the House of Parliament

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, if Committee Stage matters pertaining to the Ministries scheduled for today cannot proceed now, we request that the relevant Heads be passed. Before that, I must say two things.

¶ 02 It is clear that the country faces a severe calamity. Setting aside all differences, we have the strength to stand together as a nation. The President stated yesterday that if we must start from point zero, we will do so and build a better country. As a party, even when we were unknown in earlier times, we acted beyond party and colour during natural disasters. We have the capacity to work under difficult conditions and not to seek political advantage.

¶ 03 Upon the onset of this situation, the President came to Parliament and convened all MPs. Decisions were taken. On the 27th and 28th, all Disaster Management Committees in Sri Lanka—25—were convened, some more than once, and then the divisional committees as well. Mere meetings are not enough; thereafter, with the President’s intervention, the National Disaster Management Council, with the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and Party Leaders, and MPs, was convened. Opposition Party Leaders were invited and made valuable proposals.

¶ 04 One proposal was to declare emergency solely for disaster management. The President stated that an emergency has been declared only for disaster management and will not be used to affect democratic rights. An Essential Services Commissioner-General has been appointed. Life can now resume in many areas. Though many districts appear red on the map, some divisional areas have fewer issues and life is restarting. We are restoring roads, water, transport and health services. In places like Nuwara Eliya and Kotmale, many people, including foreigners, were trapped; we airlifted many. Forces marched from Nuwara Eliya to Tawalantenna yesterday and are establishing a base camp. We have sent three days’ food to Kotmale. There are significant issues in Badulla and Kandy. Puttalam District still has poor communication; issues persist from Puttalam to Mundalama. In rescue operations, an Air Force pilot and five Navy personnel were lost while attempting to widen a culvert at Mulanivila. The Nayaru Bridge has collapsed; we are installing a Bailey Bridge there. We are working with maximum effort.

¶ 05 When there is a fire, we must douse it; later we can analyse. Therefore, at today’s Party Leaders’ discussion under your leadership, we asked to continue sittings until 12.30 p.m., allow Party Leaders to present experiences, critiques and suggestions, and then suspend to engage in coordination. The public service is functioning, but many officials themselves face hardship. We requested today, tomorrow and, if possible, the 3rd to complete this work, and then on the 5th to properly sit and pass the Budget. We appreciate Opposition leaders who agreed, though some did not. Allegations of violating democratic rights are not fair; this is a national issue, not merely a Government issue. Whether advance data were given or preparations made can be debated later. For now, before 12.30 p.m., let us conclude the Committee Stage for today’s Heads. We are grateful for any assistance from Opposition parties. This is not a time to divide and shout.

¶ 06 We request to conclude today’s sitting by 12.30 p.m. If possible, earlier. Then tomorrow’s sitting need not be held; we proposed that to Opposition leaders. Thereafter, meet on the 3rd morning.

¶ 07 If Opposition leaders wish to meet the President again, I am ready to discuss and arrange it. We firmly believe we can face this challenge. We will spare no one’s ideas; we will take every useful suggestion to solve people’s problems. Thank you for the opportunity.