In a powerful show of solidarity after Cyclone Ditwah, Namal Rajapaksa led a nationwide book donation drive in landslide-hit Nuwara Eliya, promising education, dignity, and housing support to displaced families who say they were forgotten after the disaster.
With the aim of uplifting the education of children from families displaced by the Ditwah cyclone and improving the economic condition of affected households, a nationwide book distribution campaign under the theme “Adaraya” was held across landslide-affected regions on December 08 at Haggala Renda Pola in the Nuwara Eliya district, centered around Nanu Oya and Kotmale. The program was held under the patronage of Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa.
The distribution of books to children of all landslide-affected families in the Nuwara Eliya district officially began at this location, placing priority on education recovery for disaster-hit communities. In addition to the book distribution, MP Namal Rajapaksa and his team also inquired into the immediate welfare needs of displaced families and assessed their living conditions.
During the visit, residents from the Kotmale and Nanu Oya areas alleged that “representatives of the government did not come to visit us even after we were displaced by the disaster.” Addressing these concerns, Namal Rajapaksa stated that the government must fulfill its promise to allocate suitable land for all displaced families and give urgent priority to housing construction and essential facilities.
He further emphasized that Parliament must convene several times to properly address the disaster situation and ensure long-term recovery planning.
The program was chaired by MP Namal Rajapaksa and attended by MP D.V. Chanaka, Nuwara Eliya District United National Party MP and Ceylon Workers Congress General Secretary Jeevan Kumaravel Thondaman, representatives of former MP Nimal Piyatissa, former MP Roshan Rajadhurai, Nuwara Eliya Deputy Mayor Sivanjothi Yogaraja, and several local political leaders from the district.
