A fierce political backlash unfolded today as Udaya Gammanpila warned that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake could face up to five years in prison for criminal negligence, arguing that the government ignored early weather alerts and failed to take critical steps that could have reduced the devastation caused by Sri Lanka’s worst recorded natural disaster.
Speaking at the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya media conference in Colombo, Gammanpila said the recent catastrophe was the largest nationwide disaster in Sri Lankan history, bringing profound loss to countless families. He conveyed condolences to those affected and commended the public for their generosity and unity during the crisis.
He stated that while natural events cannot be prevented, governments are duty bound to minimize damage. Gammanpila noted that even in 2016, then opposition member Bimal Ratnayake stressed the responsibility of evaluating government disaster response. He added that the opposition temporarily held back criticism to support immediate relief efforts but now believes a full examination is necessary.
Gammanpila accused the government of trying to hide the fact that the disaster worsened because warnings were ignored. He said the Meteorological Department had signaled the possibility of a cyclone from November 12, and heavy rainfall forecasts were public knowledge. He outlined fourteen critical failures that, in his view, intensified the disaster:
- Reservoirs were not emptied to create capacity for incoming rainwater.
- Estuaries were not widened to support proper water flow.
- The army was not deployed to raise side canals.
- Provincial drainage systems were not cleaned in advance.
- NBRO identified high risk landslide zones, but residents were not evacuated.
- Curfew backed military deployment was not enforced in flood prone zones.
- The Chief of Defence Staff was not appointed to coordinate the armed forces.
- An inexperienced individual was appointed Secretary to the President due to personal ties.
- Emergency law was declared only after the opposition requested it.
- Parliamentary sessions were not suspended until the opposition demanded action.
- A national disaster was not declared under the National Disaster Management Act.
- The National Disaster Council was never convened.
- Advice and experience of former presidents skilled in disaster management were not sought.
- A public holiday was declared instead of essential public service operations.
He argued that these failures amount to criminal negligence under Sections 298, 327, 328 and 329 of the Penal Code, which carry a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment. Gammanpila cited precedents where Presidents Maithripala Sirisena and Gotabaya Rajapaksa were found guilty for failing to prevent national tragedies. He concluded that by the same judicial standards, President Anura may face similar consequences.
