Sitting of Wednesday, 18 December 2024
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1735286612086554 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard
Order of business
Speeches load per item. Summaries shown here are AI-generated and labelled; verbatim text is on each speech page.
- 1 Opening Parliament Opening and Affirmation of Hon. Mohamed Nizam Kariapper 1 speeches
- 2 Papers Papers: Annual Reports of Government Institutions 4 speeches
- 3 Oral question Oral Questions (Questions 1–10) 93 speeches
- 4 Procedural Procedural Matters and Points of Order 40 speeches
- 5 Adjournment Adjournment Motion 1 speeches
- 6 Debate Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) 106 speeches
- 7 Procedural Procedural: Adjournment 2 speeches
- 8 Adjournment Adjournment Questions 9 speeches
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB
AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad questioned the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development on the current rice shortage and high prices ahead of the festive season. He sought details on the basis for setting wholesale and retail price margins, the available stocks of Nadu rice and paddy, whether further imports are planned, and what measures will prevent future shortages and control prices. He also asked why rice imports were delayed and whether the Government intends to use buffer stocks or imports to regulate prices in future.
- The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB
AI summary The Minister replied to an adjournment question on rice price controls, explaining that the Rs. 5 margin between wholesale and retail prices was set after considering inelastic rice demand, the absence of government buffer stocks, shortages, market supply issues, and Consumer Affairs Authority analysis. He said the Government set wholesale and retail prices after consulting millers and importers, noting that large millers control about 30–35 percent of the market while small and medium millers supply the rest, and that creating multiple price layers for intermediaries was not practicable.
- The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB
AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad argued that the fixed Rs. 5 retail margin on rice is inadequate for retailers in areas farther from production centres, such as Gampaha or Marandagahamula, due to additional costs including packaging. He said this has discouraged retailers from purchasing rice, contributing to shortages in the market, and distinguished the issue from wholesale pricing.
Cost of Living Full speech → - The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB
AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe said the immediate priority was ensuring the availability of essential goods, noting that retailers at least retained a Rs. 5 margin despite concerns over transport and packaging costs. He stated that prices were determined by the Consumer Affairs Authority based on surveys and evidence, not arbitrarily by the Government.
- The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB
AI summary Amila Prasad sought clarification from the Minister on the specific parameters used by the Consumer Affairs Authority, distinguishing the request from the views of the Minister or the Government. The intervention was framed as a procedural question about the basis on which the Authority acts or makes determinations.
Cost of Living Full speech → - The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB
AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe explained the basis for setting rice prices, stating that a Rs. 5 retail margin over the Rs. 215 wholesale price was fixed after Consumer Affairs Authority calculations and evidence from traders, given the low margins on rice and costs such as transport, storage, interest and stockholding. He reported that Nadu stocks stood at 40,795 metric tons as of 17 December, with CAA monitoring mills and daily supplies being sent to Sathosa, which was selling about 300 metric tons of locally procured rice per day. He said Sri Lanka produces enough rice in normal conditions but shortages arise due to stock management issues, animal feed use and disaster-related crop damage, and assured that, barring emergencies or natural disasters, the current round would be the last rice importation. He added that a Cabinet-appointed food security committee and government paddy purchasing would support domestic rice management while protecting both farmers and consumers.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB
AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe said the Government was addressing rice shortages through immediate imports, noting that over 7,000 metric tons had already arrived and that more than 100,000 metric tons were expected, with further decisions to be reviewed if supplies remained insufficient. He stated that importers were being consulted on volumes and that the Government would use the cooperative movement, the Sri Lanka State Trading (General) Corporation, and Sathosa to purchase paddy and help control prices. He also referred to available storage capacity, inspections of stores, and the need for proper drying and moisture control to preserve paddy stocks.