The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, with limited time I will focus on the plight in Kandy District after the Divva cyclone. Though six months have passed, conditions are not better for many. According to the Defence State Minister’s recent report, 11,352 houses suffered partial damage. Of these, only 3,192 have received any assistance—about 21 percent.

¶ 02 In Minipe DS, 1,973 houses were partially damaged; only 49—about 2.4 percent—have received any support. In Udapalatha, of 1,286 partially damaged houses, only 175—about 13 percent—received funds. In Doluwa, 1,834 houses were partially damaged; only 312—17 percent—received assistance. In Delthota, of 514, only 95—18 percent—received support.

¶ 03 In addition, 6,119 people lost their lands entirely; only 302—about 5 percent—have been given alternative lands. On compensation, a woman in Delthota/Mailapitiya with a 1,120 sq. ft. house received only Rs. 64,000. Only the Grama Niladhari has inspected; no technical officer has assessed the house. How are these valuations being done? We cannot allow arbitrary sums to be handed to our already vulnerable people. Thank you.