He stated that although the opposition requested adequate time in Parliament to discuss the disaster situation unfolding in the country, the government refused to allocate sufficient time. He further claimed that the government failed to implement effective measures to safeguard the country from the disaster, despite relevant departments having informed the government on November 12 that a major catastrophe could occur due to the impact of the cyclone.
He said that reservoirs play a vital role in hydroelectric power generation, agricultural water supply, and flood control. Irrigation engineers had also issued instructions to release water from reservoirs in a systematic manner. However, he alleged that the government disregarded these instructions and acted irresponsibly, ultimately causing a severe disaster by opening the spillway gates of the reservoirs at once.
He further stated that the government failed to widen the mouths of the Kelani River. During discussions held with the President and the Prime Minister, opposition members highlighted the importance of preparing for potential floods. They also requested the release of water from the canals surrounding the Kelani River. However, the government did not act on these proposals. He noted that water could also have been released from the flood control gate in the Gothatuwa area, which would have helped mitigate the disaster, but no action was taken. He stressed that such measures could have prevented the severe damage caused by the floods.
Additionally, he said that after a disaster of this magnitude, the government should allocate around Rs. 2,000 million for relief efforts, whereas widening the estuaries would only require around Rs. 100 million annually.
He added that although the government provides cooked food to people in disaster-affected camps, less than 5 percent of those affected actually come to these camps. Meanwhile, the government has failed to implement a practical program for those impacted by the disaster. He stated that despite the government’s claims of allocating funds for relief, the affected people receive no benefits. He further alleged that the government failed to provide adequate boat services or deploy enough security personnel to rescue those trapped in the floods.
He emphasized that the Samagi Jana Balawegaya did not act in the manner the JVP did when it was in the opposition. As a responsible opposition, the SJB has taken all possible steps to assist the affected people.
He added that the opposition hoped to discuss the disaster in Parliament, describing it as an inhumane tragedy comparable to the Easter Sunday attacks. He said that just as legal action was taken against the Rajapaksas for bankrupting the country, a criminal case is now being filed against the current government. He insisted that the government should be held accountable for every life lost during the disaster. He said that the SJB strongly opposes the government for acting without preparation despite receiving prior warnings.
He also claimed that the government attempted to prevent the truth about the disaster from being revealed in Parliament. Due to what he described as government inefficiency, weakness, lack of preparedness, and poor decision-making, many people have suffered. He stated that the government-provided data on the number of deaths is inaccurate, claiming that the actual figure is higher. He added that the entire country has been affected.
He noted that the Samagi Jana Balawegaya has been doing its utmost to provide relief, including distributing food and beverages to affected communities and assisting displaced children in camps. The SJB also provided two boats to rescue people trapped in the floods and has continued this operation. He claimed that the current National Jana Balawegaya government has proven to be the most ineffective administration in Sri Lanka’s political history.
He further stated that the service rendered by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, its leader Sajith Premadasa, and the SJB parliamentary group has been appreciated by the public. As the main opposition, the SJB continues to support those affected. He added that if the JVP were in the opposition, they would have acted to mislead the public and disrupt the process.
