Minister Bimal: 'A Better Nation for Our Children Within Two Years'

 Minister of Transport, Highways, and Urban Development, Bimal Ratnayake, emphasized that by managing the severe impact on the economy and society due to the current disaster situation, the country will be rebuilt, and a better nation than the present will be gifted to children within the next two years. The government, which is acting systematically in the face of the emergency disaster situation,

is identifying priorities at this moment and addressing issues through sustainable and temporary solutions, the Minister stated while speaking in Parliament recently (03).

While this disaster situation has had some impact on the Jaffna, Vavuniya, and Kilinochchi districts in the Northern Province, the damage caused to the Mannar and Mullaitivu districts has been observed to be very severe.

Particularly in the Mannar district, due to the inundation of several Grama Seva divisions, crop damage has occurred to approximately 35,000 acres of paddy fields. The government has taken steps to provide swift compensation to these affected people and to offer maximum support for the requests of the Northern Province District Secretaries. Necessary instructions have been given to remove obstacles to boat transportation for the residents of Nainativu Island, and voluntary contributions from various parties, including engineers, are also being received for this program.

The government has also taken a significant step to expand the financial powers of public officials to streamline disaster relief services. Accordingly, for the first time in history, a Divisional Secretary has been allocated 50 million rupees, and Grama Niladharis (Village Officers) have been authorized to use 50,000 rupees for urgent needs. Additionally, a grant of 25,000 rupees has been provided for cleaning disaster-affected homes, and the Minister points out that everyone, regardless of political affiliation, should participate in these relief services as a national responsibility.

Efforts to restore disrupted transportation services have also been accelerated, with 98% of damaged roads expected to be repaired by the 10th of this month. Although a large number of train engines were stranded beyond Rambukkana, 150 train services are operational as of today, and plans are in place to deploy 4200 SLTB buses tomorrow. As bridge repairs will take some time, steps have been taken to ensure a safe public transport service through a special combined bus and train operation from Kandy to Ambepussa, and from there to Polgahawela.