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

¶ 01 Mr. Speaker, the Opposition repeatedly alleges that extending emergency leads to repression and is a challenge to democracy. I ask the Hon. Members: can you provide concrete instances over the last three months where this law was used to repress anyone? Over these three months, there have been various protests—even in front of the President’s Office. Was there any repression? The government, the President, and Ministers have been criticized in social media and the press, with even false information. Did we suppress any of that? If repression is your claim, show specific incidents under these regulations—who was arrested, where, when?

¶ 02 We opposed emergency in the past when it was actually used for repression—with examples and evidence. Do not speak of repression as an abstract concept; present concrete cases.

¶ 03 Today’s resolution is to maintain essential services. The Deputy Minister clearly set this out. After a disaster of this magnitude, emergency response and rescue are only the first steps. Restoring infrastructure, the economy, and people’s lives cannot be done in a few days. We need many essential services to continue, with a proper plan—that is why we seek extension.

¶ 04 We must also conduct needs assessments—immediately after the disaster, for the short, medium, and long term. With international support and standards, we are conducting a post-disaster needs assessment, now in the validation phase in affected districts. That report is expected at the end of this month, and will guide medium- and long-term interventions.

¶ 05 We have chosen a rebuilding strategy that takes us at least a step ahead of where we were. For example, when rebuilding railways, we consider securing embankments, reducing landslide risks, and building resilient bridges. Fortunately, few schools were totally destroyed; while planning for education, we are exploring dual-purpose facilities to keep learning uninterrupted during future disasters, while also addressing environmental risks around schools.

¶ 06 The President has appointed a Presidential Task Force with eight subcommittees to plan, coordinate, and monitor work. It met yesterday. We learned that a number of people still remain in camps; we discussed the need to intervene immediately. The Commissioner-General and relevant Secretaries are visiting affected districts with Divisional Secretaries to act on this.

¶ 07 We also see capacity issues between the national Road Development Authority and Provincial Road Development Authorities regarding damaged local roads; sometimes we must involve the tri-forces. The emergency framework enables such interventions. Given the gravity of the disaster, we must act prudently and with an eye to the future.

¶ 08 Global instability is high; even while recovering from disaster, we must not delay. We are planning for both recovery and risk reduction. There is no intention to use this law for repression. We have worked under it for three months without such misuse. If the Opposition insists otherwise, present the cases. Otherwise, acknowledge that we have quickly resolved many issues.

¶ 09 Hon. Prime Minister, your time is over now.

¶ 10 I am winding up, Sir. We are seeking sustainable solutions and, knowing such disasters can recur, we are asking only for continuity of essential services. Thank you.