President at Mannar District Secretariat meeting
• The Rights of the Fishing Community Will Never Be Compromised
• One-Week Dry Ration Allowance for Fishing Families Affected by the Disaster
• Permanent Flood Control Plan for Mannar to Be Implemented
• Law to Be Enforced Against Illegal Land Encroachments in the Yodha Wewa Sanctuary Catchment Area
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake affirmed that the Government will not tolerate violations of the rights of the fishing community, emphasizing the State’s firm commitment to protecting both land resources and the coastline.
The President also stated that the Government will address the challenges faced by fishing communities across the country through discussion and constructive engagement, ensuring sustainable solutions while safeguarding livelihoods.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake made these remarks at a Special District Coordination Committee Meeting at the Mannar District Secretariat, convened to review ongoing efforts to restore normalcy to public life and rehabilitate infrastructure in the district following the recent disaster.
Highlighting the urgent need for a permanent solution to flooding in the Mannar District, the President instructed officials to proceed with the proposed flood control project after conducting comprehensive studies to ensure its long-term effectiveness.
Special attention was drawn to the disaster’s severe impact on the fishing sector. Approximately 12,000 fishermen are currently unable to fish due to flooding and adverse weather.
The President directed that dry ration packs be provided for one week to fishing families who, although not directly affected by floods, have lost their livelihoods due to unfavourable weather conditions.
Additionally, discussions were held to engage the Chinese Embassy to distribute a stock of fishing gear donated by the Government of China to fishermen affected by the disaster.
Attention was also focused on illegal land encroachments within the water catchment area of the Yodha Wewa Sanctuary. The President instructed that strict legal action be taken against individuals obstructing the placement of boundary markers around the reservoir.
It was reported that 70 families in the Mannar District have lost their homes due to the disaster. Discussions were held on rebuilding these houses and identifying suitable land for resettlement. A committee will be appointed to determine the required land within the next two weeks.
The meeting also addressed the expansion of facilities at Mannar Base Hospital and other hospitals, as well as the restoration of health services and the normalization of educational activities in the district.
The President further instructed that the Rs. 15,000 assistance provided by the Treasury for schoolchildren be disbursed promptly through Divisional Secretaries, based on recommendations from Grama Niladhari officers.
Extensive discussions were also held on the reconstruction of damaged roads and bridges, Restoration of water and electricity supply, Rehabilitation of irrigation systems, Compensation for losses in the agriculture and livestock sectors, and supporting affected communities to restart their livelihoods without delay.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister of Cooperative Development and Chairman of the Vanni District Coordination Committee, Upali Samarasinghe; Northern Province Governor N. Vethanayahan; Members of Parliament S. Thilaganathan, M. Jegatheeswaran, T. Ravikaran, Sathiyalingam, Selvam Adaikkalanathan, Kader Mastan, and Rishad Bathiudeen; and other government and opposition parliamentarians.
Also present were the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Northern Province Chief Secretary D. Murugesan, Mannar District Secretary K. Kanageswaran, senior government officials, and representatives of the security forces.