The Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, when we supported the initial emergency three months ago after “Dittu,” we expected swift relief to affected people. However, despite the emergency, assistance has not been satisfactory.

¶ 02 Payment of Rs. 25,000 reached roughly 95%—good. But the promised Rs. 50,000 for damaged household effects has not reached many; local officials say funds are insufficient. Thousands still remain in camps; alternative accommodation has not been arranged. The President promised Rs. 500,000 for land to those fully affected or in high-risk areas, and Rs. 500,000 to build a house—now there is silence. At least start disbursing the Rs. 500,000 for families in red zones urgently, with a clear process.

¶ 03 Officials are said to be working well, but they lack the legal cover and resources to disburse funds safely; circulars keep changing, exposing them to risk, causing delays. Many partially damaged houses await compensation; yet without technical assessments by engineers, officers cannot release even the Rs. 500,000 the Minister verbally promised. Meanwhile, pressure is put on officers to pay without proper process.

¶ 04 You are now seeking to extend emergency while full compensation has not yet been paid even to families of the deceased, and death certificates for the missing are pending. There are many such unresolved issues.

¶ 05 I also wish to speak about estate workers… (speech continues).