The Hon. Wasantha Piyathissa - Deputy Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, before my points on the Agriculture, Livestock, Lands, and Irrigation Votes, I note: due to climate change, a depression has brought heavy rainfall and floods nationwide, causing great hardship. In Ampara, three people in Sainthamaruthu lost their lives; others elsewhere too. We, as Government and Parliament, express condolences and concern. From yesterday, we began interventions. The President met Government and Opposition Members this morning to agree next steps, including whether Parliament should sit tomorrow and the next day, recognizing the gravity.

¶ 02 Specifically in Ampara, the Senanayake Samudraya—the country’s largest reservoir—has a capacity of about 770,000 acre-feet; its spill level is elevation 110 feet; now it is around 92 feet and rising by about one foot every three hours. There were earlier concerns about a hairline issue on the main bund suggesting capping storage near 40 percent. Given the present inflows, the Government, through the Irrigation Department and authorities, is taking decisions and has commenced relief. From tomorrow, all District Disaster Management Committees across the country will convene to expedite assistance and further action.

¶ 03 To a few Opposition points: on travel allowances for Agricultural Research and Production Assistants—we are addressing this, and I state that with responsibility. On funds for Young Agri-Entrepreneurs: though Rs. 500 million was allocated, we have already disbursed Rs. 352 million as of yesterday evening. On the “76-year curse,” our political assessment stands; if others make this a political platform, we will respond accordingly. Development claims of the past do not erase corruption; you cannot steal without projects—roads, tanks, canals are where thefts happened.