He said, “This is the biggest such natural disaster since the Tsunami and it should not just be nominal dry rations alone.”

Minister Bathiudeen was addressing a group of flood victims of Buthgamuwa area on 26th May during his flood relief efforts in the area.

According to the Minister Bathiudeen, he himself and many of his Ministry’s staff will be donating their monthly salary in support of relief efforts.

He also thanked the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) under his Ministry for delivering a great amount of dry rations and prepared food as reliefs to flood victims camped in Kolonnawa, Buthgama and Kotikawatta.

Minister Bathiudeen inquired the victims of their sanitary conditions and also met relief officials. On 24th May, Minister Bathiudeen undertook a risky midnight boat journey to meet 67 families trapped in an “island of death” at Gaandhi Walawwa, Malwana.