President orders relief to those affected by inclement weather

• Tells Cabinet not to allow rules and regulations to hinder relief work

President Maithripala Sirisena has said a comprehensive program will be implemented in the future to reconstruct the houses destroyed due to the inclement weather.

The President further said that the program will be implemented based on the information received from relevant institutions. He made these remarks while participating in a special meeting held to discuss immediate steps for necessary relief measures for those affected by the prevailing unfavourable weather conditions at the Kalutara District Secretariat on Saturday.

The final decision on implementing an appropriate mechanism with regard to granting compensation for the dead and providing relief to those displaced and deprived of their livelihoods will be made following meetings with relevant authorities next week, the President said.

President Sirisena also said that Cabinet will make a decision at its next meeting to initiate a new process at national and district levels to face the challenges that frequently arise due to natural disasters.

During this meeting the President instructed officials not to be limited by rules and regulations as well as circulars when providing relief to those affected and further instructed them to fulfill their responsibilities in a practical and proper manner.

He further instructed the officials to continuously carry forward the relief measures to provide all facilities including food, drinking water and medical treatment to those affected. He added that Ministers and MPs representing the affected areas had the chief responsibility of ensuring the wellbeing of their constituents.

President Sirisena extended his gratitude to the security forces, Police, non-governmental organisations and public for rendering their great service for rescue and relief operations.  

The President conveyed his condolences over the Sri Lanka Air Force member who died during a flood rescue operation.

The President summoned this special meeting as soon as he returned to the country after concluding a successful state visit to Australia.

Ministers Vajira Abeywardena, Rajitha Senarathne, Mahinda Samarasinghe, Deputy Minister Ajith P. Perera, Chief Minister of the Western Province Isura Devapriya, MP Malith Jayathilaka, Local Government Ministers, Secretary to the President P.B. Abeykoon, Defence Secretary Karunasena Hettiarachchi, Kalutara District Secretary, public servants, security forces Commanders, the IGP and senior security officers participated in the meeting.