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MPs across the board struck a conciliatory note this week during a special sitting of Parliament to discuss the damage caused by floods and landslides in the country, and the relief measures for thousands of people affected by the disaster.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa made a rare appearance in Parliament at Wednesday’s sitting and said it was time to put political differences aside and provide relief to those affected by the natural disaster. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and several others spoke on the need for long term plans to control damage caused by natural disasters, but some of the details put forward showed that it may already be too late.

The Prime Minister, in his speech, disclosed that thousands of acres of land earmarked for water retention at various locations in and around the capital and its suburbs have been encroached upon, and this in turn has led to flooding in Colombo, even during the regular monsoons.

“About 1,000 acres of land around Parliament were identified as water retention areas when the parliament complex was built. When I checked the present situation, I found that only about 500 acres of this land remains for that purpose. The rest have been acquired, some illegally, and various buildings contructed. The result is that, even after a moderate shower of rainfall, the city gets flooded,” he said.

The Prime Minister also said that, there needs to be an overhaul in the manner in which State authorities respond to disasters.
Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan said that, it is the weaker sections of the society who suffered the most from this calamity, and there is a responsibility on everyone to look after those affected. He urged affluent sections of society to be called upon to help out more.

He also said that, the lack of preparedness to deal with natural disasters was clearly visible during the recent flooding and landslides. “Natural disasters are inevitable. The question is how much we are prepared to face them. The consequences of the disasters can be mitigated if we are well prepared to face them. Advice should be sought from experts and plans prepared in disaster prone areas to provide protection to the people. What are the lessons we have learn’t so for from the past disasters? This is a relevant question that we must ask,” he said.

UPFA MP and leader of the Joint Opposition Group Dinesh Gunawardena said the Government’s ambitious Megapolis plan had ignored the development of the Kelani Valley area which is highly prone to floods. “Kelani Valley is often prone to floods, but there has not been a proper flood mitigation programme in this area,” he said.

Water Supply and Urban Affairs Minister Rauff Hakeem spoke on the situation in the upcountry where there has been warning of landslides for many years. “The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has been repeatedly warning for years on the threat of landslides in the areas where landslides occurred over the past few days, but none took timely action. The NBRO has been drawing the attention of the government on the need to evacuate and resettle these people. In Kandy district alone there are over 50 schools in areas where the NBRO had alerted on the possibility of landslides,” he said.

Minister of Disaster Management Anura Priyadharshana Yapa admitted the Government needs the support of the public to make its disaster preparedness plans workable, and also raise awareness about land use and safeguarding the environment, so as to minimise damage from natural disasters.

The Minister also assured that Government would compensate all affected by the recent disaster.