SJB calls on President to constitute Disaster Management Council fast

SJB MP and Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella at the media briefing yesterday 

• Chief Opp. Whip Lakshman Kiriella says Disaster Management Act provides for setting up of national council
• Says Parliament and Opposition can play role if Council set up
• Wants President to show his sincerity in asking Opposition support to resolve crises

The main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) yesterday urged President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to set up a Disaster Management Council consisting of Government and Opposition MPs if he is genuine in his call to the Opposition to assist in overcoming the pandemic induced crisis facing the country.

SJB MP and Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella told journalists yesterday the Disaster Management Act of 2005 provides for the setting up of a National Council for Disaster Management which is chaired by the President, the Prime Minister as Vice Chairman, the Leader of the Opposition, 20 other members who are ministers in charge of related subjects as well as five Opposition MPs.

He said the Act requires the President by proclamation to declare a state of disaster and place it before Parliament for approval.

“This should have been done two years ago but it›s better late than never,” Kiriella said.

The SJB MP also said the Opposition has repeatedly called for the Council to be set but such calls have been ignored by the Government which had taken the arrogant stance that it can handle the situation on its own.

“A Task Force was set up headed by the Army Commander but Parliament was completely ignored even though the law provides for Parliament to play a role in such situations,”  Kiriella stressed.

He claimed the President had put on show in Parliament during his address to the House last week, calling on the Opposition to support him.

“This was a show by the President. If his intentions are true he can constitute the Council under the Disaster Management Act,” Kiriella added.