The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence

¶ 01 Mr. Speaker, today we are specifically debating the proclamation of a state of emergency and its extension, as well as the declaration and continuation of essential public services.

¶ 02 As we all know, the “Dittu” cyclone that struck our country last November severely affected lives and day-to-day activities. Accordingly, on 28 November we proclaimed the state of emergency to systematize recovery efforts. We have already extended it twice, and further extension is necessary to continue this work in an orderly manner.

¶ 03 Alongside the disaster situation, in facing the social and economic challenges that arose, we appointed a Commissioner-General of Essential Services and vested him with special powers to ensure the continuity of essential public services for the well-being of the people. Covering the entire island from Grama Niladhari to District Secretary level, officials carried out special duties to provide relief and help people recover after the “Dittu” cyclone. Continuity of these services is extremely important.

¶ 04 Given the current warlike environment in the Middle East, we have recently observed pressures and interruptions affecting the maintenance of essential services. We saw queues forming at fuel stations and the public attempting to stock fuel, creating the potential for impacts on daily life. While such pressures can occur, as a responsible government our focus is to continuously provide essential services.

¶ 05 The present conflict conditions have imposed limitations on maritime and air operations. Therefore, in supplying certain essential services we may face delays. The coming weeks are decisive. Hence we must pay special attention to essential services—this is why we believe extending the emergency is necessary.

¶ 06 We have drawn up a structured plan to maintain services and ensure uninterrupted supply of essential goods—through circulars, guidelines, and special instructions and powers to the Commissioner-General of Essential Services. He has been visiting every district, working with state officials. I must acknowledge that over the past three months our state officials, together with the tri-forces and police, have worked day and night to assist disaster-affected people and to rebuild lives. With that commitment, we are overcoming the challenges before the government. The provisions available under the emergency are vital. Displaced people are in our relief camps; continuity of essential services to restore their lives is greatly supported by these measures.

¶ 07 As a responsible government, we do not intend in any way to infringe on the people’s fundamental rights. We are using the provisions of essential services solely for the public good. Some in the Opposition allege that the government is misusing the emergency. We have not done so. We inherited a country with an entrenched, corrupt political culture. That is why people like us came forward to serve the nation earnestly.

¶ 08 Our foremost duty is to act for the people—ensure public security, restore livelihoods, and promote their well-being, while always upholding the rule of law and sovereignty.

¶ 09 Our country suffered nearly 30 years of war, ending in 2009—17 years ago. Those who now criticize us governed after 2009. If they had formulated even three consecutive five-year plans addressing all these issues, how different would our country be today? Instead, we were left with a collapsed, lawless, bankrupt state with national security under grave threat. We, by contrast, are taking decisions on national security after diligent study and with proper understanding; we do not act alone. The emergency too was proclaimed following such collective deliberations.

¶ 10 We reconvened the National Disaster Management Council last August—after seven years of inactivity. Similarly, during the period leading to the Easter attacks, National Security Councils had not been convened regularly. That will not be our practice. With the present Middle East crisis escalating, we convened the National Security Council on Sunday morning and again yesterday at 8.00 a.m., with the President, Prime Minister, the Service Commanders, the IGP, and the Secretary handling foreign affairs, to assess all geopolitical and geostrategic factors and decide on required actions. Decisions are taken for the people and after wide consultation; we do not take ad hoc decisions.

¶ 11 Recently, some tried to create unrest with false statements that the Security Forces Headquarters in Jaffna would be withdrawn. Such baseless, narrow, and short-sighted claims are politically malicious. When releasing lands in the North and East—or anywhere in Sri Lanka—we consider all factors and prioritize national security and national needs, ensuring no threat arises. We bring such matters to the Parliamentary Committee on Defence as well.

¶ 12 Our state machinery had been corroded by organized crime and corruption, which made responding to the cyclone’s impacts very difficult. Nevertheless, our officials, together with the tri-forces, police, the public, and civil organizations, performed admirably. Because of our effective management post “Dittu,” Sri Lanka received good international recognition and notable foreign assistance.

¶ 13 Hon. Deputy Minister, your time is over.

¶ 14 We have acted effectively. In line with the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” concept to recover after the “Dittu” cyclone, I state that further extending the emergency is a sound proposal. Thank you.