Hon. Imran Maharoof

Thank you, Hon. Presiding Member. The Ditva cyclone and floods severely affected Trincomalee District, especially the Muttur, Kinniya, Verugal, Kuchchaveli and Seruvila DS Divisions. After this disaster, the President announced the following relief: - Rs. 5,000,000 if a house was completely destroyed; - Rs. 10,000,000 if both house and land were lost; - Rs. 2,500,000 for a partially damaged house; - Rs. 25,000 if a roofing sheet was blown off; - Rs. 25,000 to clean flooded houses; - Rs. 50,000 for essential household and kitchen items damaged by flood; - Rs. 15,000 for students’ uniforms and essentials damaged by flood; and - Rs. 20,000 per month for three months as rent for those who lost homes. However, many affected in Trincomalee have not yet received due payments. In Muttur, the entire division was flooded when the Maavilaaru anicut breached. Thousands were submerged and displaced into schools, suffering many hardships. According to the President’s directive, Grama Niladharis and Divisional Secretaries have registered the affected and forwarded details to the District Secretariat. The numbers include: - 9,516 total affected families; - 8,758 needing dry rations; - 6,932 needing cleaning grants; - 4,383 affected students needing uniforms and supplies; and - 1,692 families needing essential household/kitchen replacement. These details have been sent from DS to the District Secretariat. Of the 6,932 families selected for the Rs. 25,000 cleaning grant, 1,692 were also identified for the Rs. 50,000 essential items grant. Yet only 330 have received that Rs. 50,000 so far. The Federation of All Mosques in Muttur has written to the President about this injustice. I table a copy for Hansard and place it in the Library. On that basis, I ask: I. In Trincomalee District, how many families were affected by the Ditva cyclone and floods? Have all applicants received compensation? II. According to the circular, can those who apply for the Rs. 25,000 cleaning grant also apply for the Rs. 50,000 essential items grant or not? III. In Muttur DS Division, why were details of only 1,692 families forwarded for the Rs. 50,000 grant, out of the 6,932 who applied? IV. Of the 1,692 applicants for the Rs. 50,000 grant, why have only 330 received it so far? When will the rest be paid? V. Are District Secretaries being pressured by the Government to alter the verified beneficiary lists provided by Grama Niladharis? VI. How many lost both house and land due to landslides and floods in Trincomalee, and how many have received the Rs. 5,000,000 housing compensation? VII. How many who lost land have received alternative land or the Rs. 5,000,000 land compensation? VIII. The President announced Rs. 20,000 per month for three months towards rent for those who lost homes. How many have received this so far? IX. Is the Minister aware that people in Arachchikattuwa/Vanathavillu areas of Puttalam — including Karaitivu and Chinna Nagawillu — are still affected, with floodwater four feet high for over 100 days, 24 houses and a preschool submerged, 26 families affected, and over 150 acres of coconut and cashew still flooded? What immediate action will the Government take? I table a community request titled “Rebuilding of Sinnanagawillu” for the Library. X. In Kandy District, Udunuwara, Rammalak village was badly affected; seven houses were fully damaged and three partially. What relief has been provided, and will the Government address the risk posed by rockfalls there? I request the Government to expedite and ensure fair payments to all affected.