At a media briefing held today (02) at the headquarters of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), Member of Parliament Mujibur Rahuman expressed the following views:
He stated that due to the recent heavy rainfall and severe weather conditions, the country has suffered extensive damage, and the government will face many serious challenges in the coming days. He added that President Anura Dissanayake continually emphasizes the need for everyone to work together to rebuild the country.
MP Rahuman further pointed out that the Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and other opposition MPs have no objections to the President’s call for unity. He said that all parties must join hands to uplift the country from its current difficulties and that attention must be directed toward this collective effort.
He further noted that rather than limiting this to words, the government must create a mechanism that allows the Opposition Leader and the opposition members to actively contribute to rebuilding the nation. The SJB requests President Anura Dissanayake to prepare such a framework.
He stressed that although the government and the opposition represent different political ideologies, at this critical moment—when the country is facing a national crisis—the opposition stands ready to support efforts to rescue the country. Therefore, the SJB urges the government to establish a system where everyone can work together, assuring that the opposition is prepared to contribute fully.
He also highlighted that once the floodwaters recede, the country will face several health-related concerns. The government must strengthen the health sector immediately to address these risks.
Additionally, he warned of a potential food shortage due to the floods. Major vegetable-producing districts such as Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, and Kandy have suffered severe damage. Paddy fields in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa have also been flooded, and many livestock farms have been destroyed.
Due to this situation, food prices are likely to rise. Therefore, the government must formulate a plan to ensure that essential food items are provided to the public without creating shortages.
He also noted that the floods and landslides have severely damaged the country’s road network, making it difficult even to deliver relief to displaced families. The government must quickly launch a program to restore the road system.
Furthermore, he commented on the recent reactivation of the Parate Law (used by banks to seize and auction properties of loan defaulters), saying that although banks have reported significant profits, many families displaced by floods and landslides have lost their livelihoods. Despite this, some banks have proceeded to auction people’s properties.
Therefore, the SJB requests President Anura Dissanayake to instruct the Central Bank to suspend the Parate Law for at least one year to provide relief to the affected people.
He also mentioned that Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa earlier requested the President to declare a state of emergency given the crisis situation. Although the government initially hesitated, it later imposed a state of emergency a few days afterward.
Premadasa also requested the government to allocate a supplementary estimate (additional budget), but the President stated that such a requirement did not exist and that adequate funds were available. However, later, addressing the nation, the President mentioned that a supplementary estimate would be presented.
MP Rahuman said the opposition will continue to highlight the shortcomings of the government and present constructive proposals. If the government pays attention to these proposals, it would be beneficial for the country’s progress. The opposition has already submitted many important recommendations that should not be dismissed.
He emphasized that the SJB is not acting like past oppositions, and is instead committed to the welfare of the people and the country. The opposition parties, including the SJB, stand ready to extend all necessary support to rebuild the nation. Therefore, the government must create a mechanism where everyone can work together, and the opposition is prepared to work within such a framework.
He stressed that instead of launching mudslinging campaigns through government-affiliated groups against the opposition and its leaders, everyone should unite to rebuild the country.
Furthermore, he stated that many foreign nations are providing assistance to Sri Lanka at this moment, and such aid is extremely valuable. The SJB urges the government to properly receive and utilize this international assistance.
MP Rahuman also noted that the government did not grant the opposition an opportunity in Parliament to discuss and present views regarding the crisis. The government limited the parliamentary debate to just two hours.
Opposition MPs should have been given time to speak about the disaster situations in their constituencies, the displaced people, and those who lost their lives. Parliament is the only platform for public representatives to express these concerns.
Because the government attempted to suppress this opportunity, the opposition walked out of Parliament as a symbolic protest.
He added that restricting the debate to two hours was unfair not only to the opposition but also to government MPs, as they too were unable to raise issues from their constituencies. This undermined their democratic freedom.
He pointed out that Parliament exists so that all 225 representatives can express the concerns of the people, but now even MPs cannot freely express their views. Postponing the budget debate for a few days would not have caused any issues. The opposition requested at least two full days for all MPs—both government and opposition—to speak about the national crisis, but only two hours were granted.
He further stated that although President Anura Dissanayake may have good intentions, the Leader of the House does not appear to be acting in alignment with him. From the actions of the Leader of the House, it seems as though the support of the opposition is not required for rebuilding the country.
The President’s directives are not being implemented by those beneath him. Therefore, instead of merely saying that everyone’s support is needed, the President must immediately establish a suitable framework to achieve it.
He added that although opposition MPs are doing what they can to help the affected people, they would be able to contribute far more effectively if they worked together with the state machinery.
He also commented on the parliamentary proceedings, stating that the Leader of the House—not the Prime Minister—spoke on behalf of the government during the debate. He asserted that the Prime Minister should be the one representing the government in Parliament, not the Leader of the House.
However, he said the Prime Minister remained silent while the Leader of the House acted in her place, which he described as incorrect. The Speaker is responsible only for administrative duties within Parliament, while government policy statements and decisions should be handled by the Prime Minister.
Yet, according to him, the Prime Minister is not performing these duties, and the Leader of the House is acting in her place.
