The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, thank you for granting leave under Standing Order 29(2). Give me two to three minutes. Section 5 of the Code of Conduct states:

¶ 02 “Every Member shall, in exercising his powers and performing his functions and duties, act in the public interest and, in particular, in the best interests of his constituents.”

¶ 03 Hon. Speaker, in recent days, potato and onion farmers are on the streets. Wholesale markets are short of stocks; I checked this morning—there are significant shortages. Farmers have protested continuously. Paddy farmers did not receive fair prices; paddy was sold below Rs. 100 per kilo. When our potato season was due, large quantities of potatoes and onions were imported.

¶ 04 The Government that once opposed measuring coconut by count is now measuring onion quantities from farmers. Farmers are calling for the resignation of the Ministers of Agriculture and the State Minister, and also the Minister of Trade, and for the President to assume those powers. It is clear that these ministries have failed, and hence farmers demand resignations. What concrete plan does the Government have to ensure fair prices for potato and onion farmers? Please clarify.