Government Must Reveal True Extent of Disaster Losses, States Sumanthiran
04-Dec-2025.
The government must disclose accurate information on damages and fatalities caused by the recent floods. It should refrain from concealing facts, said President’s Counsel M. A. Sumanthiran, former MP and Deputy General Secretary of the Tamil National Alliance.
Relief distribution for residents affected by floods in the Kaluwanchikudy area in Batticaloa commenced on Dec 3. The first phase provided assistance to around 1,000 severely affected individuals through the Rasamanikkam Community Organization linked to Batticaloa District MP R. Sanakian of the TNA.
Speaking to the media, Sumanthiran said:
During a visit to the hill country, we learned of several tragic incidents. Entire villages have been buried in some places. Only those who were away from home at the time survived. One resident told us that his entire family was buried and that he had been trying for three days to retrieve their remains, with no rescue team arriving.
Some people were funding their own search efforts by purchasing diesel and machinery. While the government claims that relief efforts must be conducted collectively, it is simultaneously sidelining other political parties.
When we met the Kandy Government Agent, he said only 19 people had died in the Kamburupitiya area, yet at the very first site we visited, 26 bodies had already been recovered. Villagers reported that more than 50 others were still buried.
Many villages have been devastated to the point where people cannot return to live there.
In Badulla and Nuwara Eliya districts, significant losses are evident. Locals came to us in tears, describing their suffering. They said no immediate relief efforts had reached them. This criticism is not made for political gain; people need immediate assistance and transparent reporting of casualties.
Hundreds have died, but the government insists only a dozen or so fatalities occurred. This is unacceptable. No one should criticize us for speaking out during this crisis. Relief work can only proceed properly when the truth is known.
It is deeply troubling to see certain media outlets criticizing us instead of simply reporting the news. Some appear to treat this disaster like commentary for a cricket match.
Without understanding the scale of devastation, some are engaging in political point-scoring. All parties should work together to save people. We are prepared to cooperate with the government. During the tsunami, even the then-government partnered with the LTTE in the North and East to coordinate reconstruction.
If we were willing at that time to work with the JVP, which opposed the arrangement in court, no one can now say we must not work with anyone else. We will work with all parties for the people.
