The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I thank Hon. Sunil Handunnetti for wishing well while describing our Hon. Leader of the Opposition’s efforts to provide buses to schools and friendly classrooms. Because at the time those activities were done, you all stood on a different opinion; you criticized them. But now that your government has come, you would understand how great the challenges are in the education sector. After gaining some understanding of those challenges, you now see that if the private sector or anyone comes and helps schools, that is a good thing. Thank you for noting that.

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, the President, having completed his visit to India, came to Parliament today and spoke of the tax reliefs and other concessions that are to be presented with the future Budget. Many government MPs also spoke about the reliefs to be given. But we know that at present there is a major problem regarding rice. The prices of food are high now, especially in the market with the controlled price of rice, and with rice being sold at higher prices. We know the President held around five discussions with the rice mill owners in the country. After five rounds of discussions, in the end, according to the request of the rice mill owners, the controlled price of Rs. 220 was increased by Rs. 10 and they were allowed to sell at a controlled price of Rs. 230. Although permission was given to sell rice at Rs. 230, we see that rice in the market is still more expensive. Also, it is very difficult even to buy rice at Rs. 230. Although the controlled price is set at Rs. 230, varieties like Nadu are still sold at Rs. 250. Keeri Samba, though priced at Rs. 260 per kilo, is selling at Rs. 280 in the market. Likewise, Red Kekulu though priced at Rs. 220 per kilo, is in the market at Rs. 250. That means even though the government sets a controlled price, the main rice mill owners in this country still sell at whatever prices they prefer.

¶ 03 Hon. Presiding Member, to control these prices the government is importing rice. Rice is being imported because people are faced with difficulties. Since you cannot control the market price with the rice mill owners, the government has decided to import rice to provide it to people at lower prices. That is a good decision. Because earlier, when this government came, you said you would not import rice. But when you became the government, you realized you cannot quickly manage with the rice mill owners, and implementing this government’s policies takes time, so you decided to import rice. Having taken that decision, now rice is being imported. That is good, because it is good to provide people with rice at low prices. But what are you doing now? Now you have given approval to import 70,000 metric tons of rice. The decision taken on the 5th ends on the 20th. I do not know by the 20th how many metric tons…