2026-02-06 / Debate: Extension of Emergency Regulations under Public Security Ordinance 2026-02-06
Hon. R.G. Wijerathna spoke in support of extending Emergency Regulations in the context of damage caused by the Ditva disaster, citing specific figures from his Nuwara Eliya District, including destruction to 245 irrigation canals, 89 weirs, nine small tanks, and approximately 280 km of roads. He outlined relief already disbursed nationally and within the district, including payments totalling over Rs. 3.9 billion in allowances and Rs. 2.12 billion in agricultural compensation to over 50,000 farmers. He argued that permanent rehabilitation requires cross-agency coordination — including NBRO guidance, engineering design, and continued armed forces involvement — that is facilitated by the Emergency's powers vested in the Commissioner-General of Essential Services. On this basis, he appealed for unanimous support for a time-limited extension of the Emergency.
Thank you, Madam Deputy Chairperson.
We are debating the extension of Emergency Regulations. The devastation from Ditva is well known. In my Nuwara Eliya District alone: 245 irrigation canals were damaged; 89 weirs were broken; nine small tanks were destroyed; 81 agricultural roads were damaged; and about 280 km of the 600 km of RDA roads in the district were affected.
Under relief already disbursed in Nuwara Eliya:
- Rs. 25,000 allowance: approximately Rs. 3,175 million paid.
- Rs. 50,000 allowance: about Rs. 505 million paid.
- Rs. 15,000 to affected schoolchildren: about Rs. 151 million paid.
Nationwide, according to the Ministry of Agriculture as of yesterday, compensation for crop damage has been paid to 50,522 farmers amounting to Rs. 2.12 billion.
But this is not over. Temporary patchwork on canals—sandbags and makeshift works—has enabled water supply to resume in places, but permanent rehabilitation requires engineering designs and NBRO guidance. The technical capacity within individual departments is not sufficient; cross-agency mobilisation, which the Emergency enables through the Commissioner-General of Essential Services, is still needed. The armed forces have also contributed beyond their usual remit to major clearing works, and continued direction under the Emergency supports that effort.
Therefore, given the extraordinary situation, extending the Emergency for a limited period is necessary to coordinate, mobilise and complete urgent works efficiently. I appeal for unanimous support.
Thank you.