The Hon. Jagath Vithana

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, spending this much time—even five minutes—on salt makes us all feel embarrassed. Parliamentary sittings cost Rs. 15–20 million, and we’ve talked salt for five hours. Still, salt is essential to life; “with salt and rice we live like kings,” they say. Now both rice and salt are imported. Is this “revival”?

¶ 02 The Minister said 2024 production fell: annual need is 180,000 MT; only 110,000 MT was produced. If a timely decision had been taken, prices wouldn’t have spiked so much. The decision now has created stocks for four to five years, because permission was given to a few companies to import without limits. Why allow unlimited quantities? Annual need is 180,000 MT; large volumes have come. I believe over 25,000 MT await clearance at the port.

¶ 03 The largest stock now is at Raigama, in the Raigama Korale—my neighboring area. In India, salt costs Rs. 24–25 per kilo at production; landed here around Rs. 75–100. Yet retail was Rs. 375 per pack, now reduced to Rs. 200–250. Traders have made huge profits. Why did you give them such windfalls? We know businessmen helped bring this Government to power. I won’t name them, but why let them earn excessive profits? I won’t waste more time only on salt.

¶ 04 Rice harvesting is ongoing; you’re importing rice. Farmers are pleading not to import now. I even saw the Agriculture Minister thanking former President Maithripala Sirisena for ensuring rice supply—stocking up and then importing undermines poor farmers’ ability to sell their paddy.

¶ 05 I must also state an injustice I faced: I won both Agalawatta and Palindanuwara Pradeshiya Sabhas, yet the Government formed the administrations. I answered by forming a common opposition and then taking control of the Matugama Pradeshiya Sabha where we had lost—Matugama is the heart of Kalutara. Don’t call us terrorists in the media; we organized democratically and secured a majority though the Government had 11 members and we had 19.

¶ 06 You said you won’t ally with wrongdoers. Then how did you work with Rishad Bathiudeen, with Nondaman, with Pillayan? Pillayan is now in jail, yet you formed councils together. Think of the pain caused to Hon. Ambika. Elections are coming; you were given a two-thirds mandate—don’t abuse it. Thank you for the time, Hon. Presiding Member.