The main Opposition, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), urged the Government to pay attention not only to immediate relief measures but also to long-term steps to alleviate the impact of natural disasters caused by weather conditions.

SJB Deputy National Organiser and former Parliamentarian Buddhika Pathirana discussed this during a media briefing held yesterday (21), where he noted that the prevailing adverse weather conditions have a direct impact on various aspects of the public’s lives, including agriculture. He stressed the importance of the Government having an emergency disaster management plan.

“The Government should take steps to provide compensation for those affected by heavy rain. The Government should provide leadership to remove obstacles to transport caused by heavy rainfall and restore the public’s daily live,” he said.

He added that the Government should also pay attention to medium- and long-term flood prevention measures, as well as flood relief programmes. Moreover, Pathirana questioned whether the Government is continuing the programmes initiated by previous administrations to establish a drainage system to prevent floods in Colombo city. He emphasised the importance of having a plan to prevent floods in major cities throughout the country.