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By Sandun Jayawardana

Parliament does not normally sit in December after the budget for the following year is passed, yet the unprecedented disaster brought on by Cyclone Ditwah forced lawmakers to return to the House for two more days this week to pass a Rs. 500 billion supplementary estimate to restore the livelihoods of those affected by the disaster.  

While there was agreement among both the government and opposition parties on the urgent need to pass the supplementary estimate, there was still significant disagreements regarding disaster preparedness and post-disaster response. Opposition parties continued to accuse the government over its alleged failures to mitigate the damage from the cyclone, accusations which the government firmly rejected.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake underscored the enormity of the challenge before the country when, addressing the House in his capacity as Minister of Finance on Friday (19), he noted that the supplementary estimate his National People’s Power (NPP) government had presented is the largest such estimate in recent history. Yet, he argued that the economic stability the government had achieved has created the courage and confidence necessary to meet the challenge posed by the disaster’s aftermath. He added that reserves amounting to Rs. 1.2 trillion that the country possesses must be utilised to provide relief to the people, and that the government will not refrain from doing so.

The President also moved to reassure both the legislature and the public that the government will ensure that all benefits will be distributed fairly. “There has always been a precedent in this country of those in power allocating themselves a large share, while distributing to the people with small ladles. We did not form a National People’s Power government in order to distribute benefits to the government using large ladles. Our intention is to provide fair benefits to the people. Therefore, we have intervened to support the people fairly in overcoming this crisis.”

President Dissanayake also revealed that according to the latest reported data, there are 6,228 fully damaged houses, 4,543 partially damaged houses deemed unsafe by the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) and 6,877 houses with no visible damage but not approved for occupancy by the NBRO. This brings the total number of affected houses to 17,648, he observed. He announced a range of measures to assist those who have been affected and stated that as a first step, all 17,648 households will receive a monthly allowance of Rs. 50,000 for a period of three months, commencing in January.

Earlier in the day, the opposition vented its frustration when the government rejected a request to keep the debate going without breaking for the customary 30-minute lunch break. The government noted that the decision to have the 30-minute break was to give some relief to Parliament staff, though opposition MPs insisted it would not impact the staff badly and accused the government of limiting the time given to MPs to raise issues faced by those affected by the disaster.

While the main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) supports the government’s supplementary estimate, it must be observed that the people were at the forefront of helping others during the disaster even when the government’s response was lacking, SJB General Secretary Ranjith Maddumabandara stated.

The government must bear responsibility for the deaths caused by the disaster, the SJB General Secretary insisted, claiming it had failed to respond to repeated warnings issued in the days leading up to the disaster. He said the government did not take warnings given by both the Departments of Meteorology and Irrigation seriously. He also faulted President Dissanayake and his government for failing to appoint a dedicated Minister for Disaster Management. “Today, the President is the Minister of Defence, Finance, Digital Economy and Disaster Management. He is keeping 171 institutions under him and has not directed attention towards such an important matter. This is a case of negligence of duty on the part of the President.”

The magnitude and scale of the recent disaster is such that any government would definitely be overwhelmed, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Leader Rauff Hakeem said. “Therefore, there is no point in criticizing any government, but when we discuss matters relating to this, we are entitled to point out certain shortcomings and those must be accepted in the spirit of things,” he stressed. He thanked those from both the government and opposition who came from far and wide to lend assistance to the relief and recovery efforts in the Kandy district, and to the cleanup of the Gampola town in particular. Nevertheless, he noted that relief measures in some areas were yet to reach the people.

Mr. Hakeem also emphasised that whether it was health, or education or any other sector, a quick needs assessment needs to be done. He reminded that he had called on the government to host a donor conference for Sri Lanka and welcomed reports that such a conference was being organised. He also requested the government to consider bringing all former presidents of the country together to make a common appeal with President Dissanayake to donors as a symbolic gesture.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya meanwhile, praised the spirit of giving exhibited by ordinary Sri Lankans in the aftermath of the disaster, as they banded together to help those impacted by the disaster in any way they could. She added that international organisations that were coming to aid Sri Lanka at the time of the disaster are repeatedly emphasising that the trust they have in the NPP government is the main reason why they can support the country’s recovery efforts without any fears.

The Premier added that the government’s decisions will be based on data and assessments and will be done step-by-step in a scientific manner. There are different phases in the disaster recovery process – rescue, relief and rebuild. “We pledge to the country and its people that we will rebuild the country together, with help from all of you and us. You have proven this strength of unity over the past three weeks. Through this unity, we will be able to rebuild the country and safeguard everyone’s lives,” she stressed.