Opposition making malicious statements about floods

Parliamentary Corrs

Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Amaraweera yesterday stated that the UNP wanted the Government to declare a national disaster situation regarding the flood havoc with the malicious intention that such a declaration would affect the tourism industry.

This would in turn affect the national economy directly.

He made this observation in response to a special statement made by Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Minister Amaraweera stated that he was happy that the Opposition Leader at least remembered to make a statement long after the disaster occurred. The Minister further stated that although the Opposition makes false allegations they have not at least provided a single bottle of water to the flood victims.

Minister Amaraweera further stated that no member of UNP nor JVP attended the National Council of Disaster Management in December however much the Government requested to discuss matters related to natural disasters.

The Minister further stated that whatever false allegations the Opposition makes against the Government, the Government could limit the number of deaths to around 43 due to the precautionary measures taken.

He added that the UNP had even not thought of such a concept during their regime. Minister Amaraweera stated the Government directed the Ministry, Security Forces and Police to save a large number of lives. The Air Force also saved nearly 300 people who were on trees and rooftops in a single day.

The Minister stated that although the Opposition did not thank the Government for the service rendered to the flood victims various international organizations who were on alert thanked the Government for its excellent dedication to minimize the disaster. The Minister added that the United Nation's Human Rights Additional Secretary appreciated the Government's relief mechanism.

Minister Amaraweera stated that none of the UNP or JVP members visited the flood-affected areas but President Mahinda Rajapaksa and other relevant Ministers visited the area. President Mahinda Rajapaksa directed officials not to allow any flood victim to starve.

He added the Government asked the Opposition members to inform it over the phone if there was any person starving due to floods. But none of them did so except a few TNA members. He said the accountant of our Ministry everyday inquired from the District Secretariat about the amount of money required to provide relief and food for flood-victims and to provide the relief without any delay. Minister Amaraweera said the Government had made allocations for each District Secretariat to buy essential items during times of disaster.

The Government had also requested temples and other religious institutions to provide meals for victims. Those were our precautionary measures taken by the Government.

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe making a special statement stated that the Government has not paid any attention to provide relief to the flood-affected victims.

He also stated that the Government has not declared a national disaster situation.