“Accurate data is vital when making economic decisions” President instructs officials

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasised that accurate data is crucial when making economic decisions and therefore, it is the responsibility of officials to always present accurate data.

The President stressed the need to complete the provision of compensation for damaged agricultural lands before 30 December, instructing officials to identify the most accurate data to ensure compensation is provided only to those who are genuinely eligible. He recalled that despite the Department of Agriculture previously presenting data stating there was an excess of rice in the country, the nation still ended up facing a rice shortage.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake made these remarks while participating in a special meeting held yesterday (06) at the Matale District Secretariat, regarding the restoration of livelihoods in the Matale District affected by the disaster.

A total of 11,804 individuals from 5,501 families in 11 Divisional Secretariat divisions of Matale have been affected by the disaster, while 4,113 people are currently housed in 44 active safe centres in the district. A total of 119 houses have been completely damaged, while 2,618 homes have been partially damaged.

The President reviewed the progress of ongoing programmes aimed at restoring major roads, electricity, water supply, communications and irrigation in the district, as well as the rehabilitation of damaged agricultural land and the revival of small and medium-scale industries affected by the disaster.

Officials stated that 16 main roads in the district had been damaged due to the disaster and that 12 of them have already been restored and opened for public transport. It was discussed that the remaining roads; Wattegama–Kandegedara, Ukuwela–Alkaduwa, Moragahakanda–Wellewala, and Rattota–Ilukkumbura will be repaired and opened to the public as soon as possible.

It was further revealed that 38 provincial roads have sustained severe damage, while 17 have suffered partial damage. Officials noted that 19 roads have now been fully reopened, and partial access has been restored on another 19.

Officials from the Ceylon Electricity Board noted that 58 electricity breakdowns had been reported in the district due to the disaster and that restoration work has allowed around 92% of the power supply to be re-established. They added that restoration in certain areas, including Rattota, Ambanganga, Laggala, Ukuwela, Yatawatta, Pallepola and Matale, has been delayed due to access issues and other challenges, but steps are being taken to restore connections as quickly as possible.

Discussions were also held regarding restoring the disruption of water supply systems in the district, and it was revealed that due to access road blockages, around 500 families had been without drinking water for nearly a week. The President, drawing attention to this matter, instructed that all relevant institutions be coordinated to remove the existing barriers and ensure the rapid supply of water to the affected communities.

The President stressed that simply sending information to the head office and remaining silent does not produce results when providing services such as electricity, water or communications to the public. He emphasised that it is the duty of officials to remain in constant contact with the relevant institutions and ensure that services are delivered promptly to the people.

Discussions were also held regarding the measures taken to restore the district’s communication systems and the issues that have arisen. The President pointed out that all telecommunications service providers have a responsibility to properly identify the areas where these services must be restored and ensure that service delivery takes place accordingly.

Restoration of damaged health and sanitation systems was also discussed, while attention was drawn to a proposal to relocate the Dambulla Hospital to another site and develop it into a fully equipped medical facility. The President instructed officials to present a structured plan and proposals needed for this development.

The President also instructed that as many schools as possible in the district be reopened by 16 December and advised education officials to prepare a plan for students from disaster-affected schools to attend nearby schools. He stressed the importance of implementing programmes to improve the psychological wellbeing of children from schools impacted by the disaster.

Extensive discussions were also held on the rapid renovation of damaged irrigation systems and reservoirs, the revival of affected crop cultivation and livestock farms and the resumption of bus services that have ceased operating due to the disaster.

Professor Sarath Abeykoon, Governor of the Central Province, Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Chair of the District Development Committee, Gamagedara Dissanayake, Matale District Members of Parliament B. S. J. Biyanwila, Deepti Wasalage and Dinesh Hemantha, along with both Government and Opposition MPs, the Chairman of the Central Provincial Council L. D. Nimalasiri and provincial representatives, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Dr Harshana Suriyapperuma, Matale District Secretary L. P. Madanayake, Ministry Secretaries and state officials from the Matale District were among those present.