Probe Ditwah early warning failure, Rebuilding SL illegal: Opposition MPs

SJB MP Mujibur Rahman and SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa call for Parliamentary Select Committee to investigate allegations that Ditwah early warnings went unheeded Rahman claims new reconstruction Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund bypasses existing law, lacks proper oversight Cites notorious Helping Hambantota Fund and warns against repeating history Alleges emergency laws used to stamp out dissent

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SAMAGI Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Mujibur Rahman yesterday called for a Parliamentary Select Committee to investigate the Government's preparedness for Cyclone Ditwah, arguing that the administration failed to act despite clear early warnings.

He also challenged the legality of the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund, claiming it bypassed established disaster management laws and oversight mechanisms.

Speaking in Parliament, Rahman said there was continuing uncertainty over whether the Government had been properly informed about the approaching cyclone.

"The Director General of the Meteorology Department stated on 12 November that a cyclone was approaching, and international media like BBC and CNN reported rainfall of up to 500 mm," he said, adding that the public was still waiting for an official explanation of what information was available to the Government and when.

Rahman argued that the administration showed no visible preparation before 27 November. He said that while no country can prevent natural disasters, authorities have a responsibility to prepare for them. "All we want to know is whether the Government had a plan to contain the damage," he said. "They did not."