President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasised that the objective of the present Government is to bring to an end the era in which the country’s economic gains were concentrated among a few families and a corrupt circle surrounding them and to ensure that the benefits of all economic achievements flow to the people who are at the very bottom of the country’s economy.
Emphasising that the law will be enforced against all individuals regardless of who they are, when they held office, or how powerful or influential they may have been, the President stated that, accordingly, this year will become the year that secures the greatest attention and confidence of the people of the country in matters of justice and fairness.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake made these remarks while participating in a programme held this morning (06) at the Central Provincial Council Auditorium for the awarding of compensation to individuals and industrialists whose houses were fully or partially damaged by Cyclone Ditwah.
Compensation was awarded to 150 beneficiaries from the Divisional Secretariat divisions of Kundasale, Medadumbara, Pathadumbara and Panwila, with the President symbolically participating in the distribution.
In accordance with Paragraph 12 of Budget Circular 08/2025, cheques amounting to Rs. 2 million each were issued as the first installment of the total allocation of Rs. 5 million designated for the construction of new houses for those whose homes were fully damaged. This category includes individuals constructing houses on land owned by them, on the same plot of land, or on land allocated to them by the Government.
Furthermore, in accordance with Paragraph 14 of Budget Circular 08/2025, compensation was provided for the restoration of partially damaged houses based on assessments. While the assessment committee is authorised under the relevant circular to grant compensation up to a maximum of Rs. 2.5 million, with the objective of providing swift relief, beneficiaries who opted, of their own accord, to receive assistance without an assessment were issued cheques amounting to Rs. 500,000 as partial damage compensation.
In addition, individuals whose industrial premises or machinery were damaged due to the disaster caused by Cyclone Ditwah were provided with compensation of Rs. 200,000 each to enable them to recommence their business activities.
In accordance with the instructions of the President, this financial assistance is being granted to all registered businesses, regardless of whether they are small, medium, or large-scale, to support the resumption of their operations.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake further stated:
“Strengthening the country’s economy is a fundamental responsibility entrusted to any government. We experienced first-hand, two or three years ago, the extent of the disaster and hardship that arise when an economy collapses. The people of this country suffered due to shortages of medicines in hospitals and long queues for fuel and milk powder. An economic collapse affects every segment of society. Therefore, strengthening the national economy has become our primary responsibility.
As a result of long-standing economic policies pursued by our country, together with the bribery, fraud and corruption intertwined with those policies, Sri Lanka suffered a severe economic collapse. At that time, certain development projects in the country were undertaken not on the basis of economic necessity, but to serve political interests and improper transactions. A recent report reveals that there are approximately 1,800 government buildings whose construction was either commenced and abandoned midway or completed and subsequently left unused. These projects were initiated not because of national need, but to satisfy the interests of provincial Ministers or to award contracts to associates. In some cases, buildings were constructed but later proved impossible to maintain.
The absence of proper economic planning, coupled with the personal interests of politicians in power at different times and pervasive corruption, led to this collapse. This collapse has not yet fully ended. Recently, I called for a report to determine the additional cost required to recommence projects that were halted due to the economic downturn. Of 43 major projects, 20 were examined. Had these 20 projects been completed in 2022 or 2023, the cost would have amounted to Rs. 300 Billion. However, at present, the required expenditure has risen to Rs. 610 Billion. Thus, the revised estimates have doubled. We continue to experience the consequences of the economic collapse even today.
After assuming office, our foremost task became the restoration of economic stability in the country. Without this, it is impossible to meaningfully address the rule of law, social justice, education, healthcare, or infrastructure.
Since assuming office, the country’s economy has achieved success across several key indicators. Our objective is to ensure that the benefits of all such economic gains flow to the people who are at the very bottom of the economic structure. However, historically, economic gains have been concentrated among a few families and a corrupt network surrounding them.
We have no desire whatsoever to appropriate even a single cent of public funds. Our aim is to distribute the economic gains achieved by the country among those who are at the very bottom of the economy. Accordingly, our objective is to provide relief to all those affected by Cyclone Ditwah disaster. We are taking steps to construct the required housing and to develop infrastructure, including roads. For this purpose, we are receiving assistance from friendly countries such as India and China, as well as from various private entrepreneurs. With the support of all these stakeholders, our goal is to ensure a better standard of living for these people.
As leaders and as public servants, this is the responsibility of all of us. We received our education through public funds and we must give back by working for the people. In the face of Cyclone Ditwah, we have been able to rise swiftly as a nation. Public officials have made immense efforts in this regard and I extend my gratitude to all of them.
Our foremost priority is to achieve economic development, while at the same time firmly establishing the supremacy of the rule of law. We will undoubtedly do so and no one should harbour any doubt in this regard. There have been serious shortcomings within institutions such as the judiciary, law enforcement bodies, investigative agencies and the Attorney General’s Department. However, we are taking steps to change this situation and strengthen the institutional framework. Plans have been made to place officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption on higher salary scales and approval has also been granted for the direct recruitment of officers to the Commission. The necessary mechanisms have already been put in place.
We have also established the institutional framework required to enforce the law and enacted the necessary legislation. Laws have been passed to recover unlawfully acquired assets. Amendments to the Prevention of Terrorism Act will be introduced shortly, together with the necessary new legal provisions. We are also formulating legislation to combat organised crime and have held discussions on drafting laws in line with international standards to prevent money laundering. Furthermore, legal reforms and institutional strengthening are essential to guide the country towards civility and good governance.
We must ensure that everyone in this country stands beneath the law. No one is above it. That is the kind of country we seek and we are in the process of bringing about that transformation. In this transformation, those who act correctly will not be harmed, but those who commit wrongdoing will feel its impact. Everyone holds positive ideals about the country; however, such ideals do not materialise naturally in practice. They come to life only when we all work together with determination.
Regardless of who they are, when they held office, or how powerful their position may have been, we will bring every individual before the law. Accordingly, I believe that this year will become the year that earns the greatest attention and trust of the people of Sri Lanka with regard to justice and fairness. We are prepared to face any challenge to achieve this.
Some believed that the law would never reach them. They thought the aura surrounding them would repeal the law, or that the radiance around them would burn it away. That is why it was often said that “the law is like a spider’s web before the powerful”, catching only the weak while allowing the powerful to escape. As a result, many assumed that the law would never come for them. When it eventually did, they found themselves in situations they could never have imagined.
However, without any distinction between powerful and powerless, high or low, the law will reach everyone. Therefore, it is criminals who should be afraid, not honest citizens. We must instil in this country the understanding that if a wrongdoing has been committed, it can never be buried beneath the sands of time and that punishment will follow at some point. Only then will the children of this nation develop hope for a civilised future. I urge everyone to work together towards that goal.”
Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways, Prasanna Gunasena, Central Province Governor Professor S.B.S. Abayakoon, Kandy District Member of Parliament, Thanura Dissanayake, along with other public representatives, Kandy District Secretary, Indika Udawatte, divisional secretaries, other state officials and a large number of local residents were present at the event. (PMD)