President delivers emotional speech ahead of Budget vote
Although lives lost due to a disaster cannot be restored, my expectation as a government is to create a country with better qualities for those who are alive, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said.
The government is fully committed to this cause and is working to ensure that such a fate never occurs again, the President further stated in Parliament.
The President also expressed his condolences, on behalf of the nation, to those who are suffering from the loss of their relatives and loved ones due to the disaster.
“In any tragedy, human lives can be lost. But there is one thing we have shown. The humanity within the people of Sri Lanka is a strong virtue that no tragedy can take away. This crisis has proved that. Even at this moment, people from Matara have gone to Badulla. Those from Galle have gone to Kandy. Those from Kalutara have gone to Nuwara Eliya. People from Hambantota have gone to Puttalam. They are cleaning roads they have never walked on before. They are cleaning the homes of citizens who are neither relatives nor friends. They are shoulder to shoulder in relief camps, sharing the grief together. It shows us that the humanity within our country is something that cannot be erased by any tragedy and this crisis has proved it.”
The President also emphasised that Sri Lankans living abroad are working tirelessly, day and night, in response to the tragedy faced by their motherland and he expressed his gratitude for their strong intervention.
He further highlighted that the people of the country have donated 20,000 units to the Blood Bank, demonstrating a humanity that no disaster can destroy.
The President noted that the main driving force behind the development of many countries is the courageous intervention of their people, adding that some politicians have even mocked such efforts.
“When this disaster struck, the tri-forces and the police worked with great dedication to save our people. Around 70 passengers on the bus at Kala Oya were fearing for their lives. Some MPs were writing Facebook posts every hour. At that moment, our Navy was engaged in a heroic rescue mission. One Navy team intervened to defeat the violent force of the waves under extremely difficult circumstances. As a result, they brought the passengers onto the roof of the bus. Shortly afterwards, the bus was swept away. The boat then stalled. The officers themselves had to remain on the roof to survive. For more than 18 hours, around 70 people lived on that roof through the violent storm, sustained by the courage of those three Navy officers. When they travelled from Trincomalee to Nochchiyagama at 3.30 a.m., some were still writing Facebook posts saying, ‘It has been 17 hours now.’ It was an extremely difficult mission. I am grateful to the two young men from that village who showed another route, and all 70 people were safely rescued. One person passed away after being admitted to hospital.”
He further stated that even when the Mavil Aru dam was collapsing, the military, police, and the people led efforts to save thousands of lives.
The President stressed that the tri-forces and the public service made a great sacrifice during this disastrous situation, even at the cost of their lives.
“The sad part is that while the disaster was unfolding, certain gentlemen were in air-conditioned rooms, dressed smartly, wearing perfume, going to District Secretaries asking, ‘Where is this happening?’ Therefore, we must be deeply grateful for the service rendered by public servants during this disaster.”
He also stated that the health services carried out a major responsibility in protecting the lives of the people.
The President highlighted that, due to limitations in the Disaster Management Act in responding to such emergency situations, a state of emergency had to be declared under the Public Security Ordinance at the request of the opposition leaders.
“Ordinary law is not sufficient in such a moment to face a disaster like this. We need a stronger law beyond ordinary law at such a time. We have not violated the Constitution or any act. We considered what law would be most suitable to face this disaster and decided that the Public Security Ordinance was the most appropriate. Opposition leaders gave their support and we are very grateful for that. But this law will never be used to violate the democratic rights of the people. Criticism of me or my ministers does not matter. That is irrelevant. However, if anyone tries to use this law to frighten people, mislead people, or create conflict and unrest within the affected communities, that will obstruct our plan to recover from this disaster. Only for that reason will we use this law. Otherwise, we will not interfere with the views and opinions of the people.”
The President added that the law would be used against those who mislead the public while hiding behind parliamentary privileges, and that what he seeks is a peaceful and careful intervention to emerge from this crisis.
He further emphasised that it is the responsibility of the government to protect every officer who has made decisions with good intentions during this disaster, noting that, for the first time in Sri Lanka, a Divisional Secretary has been given authority to spend up to Rs. 50 million.
The President said that in such a disaster, one should not be bound by a traditional legal framework, and that steps are being taken to allow people who can quickly return to their homes to do so.
At present, 5,165 houses have been destroyed due to the disaster and 57,312 have been partially damaged, the President stated. More than 1.7 million people have been affected by this disaster, he added.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that it is a situation the economy cannot bear, a situation beyond its capacity.
“Our economy is not in its strongest position. Even a small shock from outside is difficult for our economy to withstand. We are moving forward by managing this economy very carefully. But some people, with a bitter mindset, with a cruel mentality, are living with hatred towards our economy.”
