Flood relief: Mano Ganesan hopes govt makes bold decisions 

Senior parliamentarian Mano Ganesan on Friday pledged complete cooperation to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s government in tackling the ongoing flood crisis, assuring the President of their backing for any bold measures needed to deliver swift relief to thousands of affected people.

“We are fully committed to giving the government complete cooperation,” Mano Ganesan asserted, after attending an urgent meeting of party leaders summoned by the President.

The Prime Minister, Ministers, the Commanders of the Armed Forces, and senior administrative officials were also present.

The meeting took place at the Akuregoda military headquarters.

A government with a solid majority must make bold decisions in tackling the situation, the Tamil Progressive Alliance leader added.

The President reiterated at the meeting that the funds and money required are available within the country and had already been sent to the administrative authorities.

“True. The funds allocated for disaster relief last year remain unused. That alone is enough, we, the opposition MPs, pointed out,” said Mano Ganesan.

“But money cannot be eaten! Where and by whom will the supplies be purchased?

“We see legal hesitation among district and divisional secretaries, we, the opposition MPs, pointed out,” added Ganesan.

Opposition MPs Rishad Bathiuddeen, Shanakiyan Rasamanickam, Selvam Adaikalanathan, Rauff Hakeem, and Dilith Jayaweera “said the government must give officials confidence to act boldly,” added the TPA leader.

“At worst, bend the rules — get the work done first,” MP Mano Ganesan interjected.

“If needed, declare a state of emergency. An emergency regulation will override all other laws. That’s what is required today, we opposition MPs jointly said.

The president replied, “If the opposition agrees, I will do it.”

Mano Ganesan said: “I don’t understand this hesitation. A government with a solid majority must make bold decisions.

“In many areas, people are surrounded by floodwaters. There are no boats to reach them,” the President said.

“Can’t boats be airlifted by helicopter?” Mano Ganesan interjected.

“No, that’s not possible. They must be transported by land,” said Defense Secretary  Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha. The President did not contradict him.

“I was not satisfied with that answer. We all know land routes are blocked in many places.

The President mentioned that the Indian Navy ship Vikrant, currently in Colombo on a goodwill visit, has helicopters ready to assist.

Yet again, the Defense Ministry Secretary interjected that New Delhi had not yet granted clearance.

“We MPs acknowledged that India, our closest friend, always stands by us.”

Mano Ganesan added: “On weather forecasts, many warnings had been issued in advance. For a week, the Chennai Meteorological Department in India had been issuing severe alerts—far exceeding those of Sri Lanka’s Met Department.

“The Sri Lankan government did not take them seriously enough. It is clear the government failed to take proper precautionary measures. This is where experience matters.

“However, we will raise such questions later. For now, we are fully committed to giving the government complete cooperation,” the MP added.