The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Minister, thank you. My first supplementary question: The Paddy Marketing Board’s paddy warehouses in the Ampara District were destroyed due to the 30-year war. Not only that, even the lands on which they are situated have not been properly maintained. I raise this question so that you can bring them into proper use.

¶ 02 You said there are 28 paddy warehouses in the Ampara District. Among these is a large rice mill which was once ranked fourth in Asia. At that time it was in the Sammanthurai DS Division; now it falls under the Navithanveli DS Division. On 56 acres of State land in Navithanveli, a large-scale rice mill had been established. It contributed not only to our district but also to the national economy. Due to the war, it has deteriorated. Portions of that land have been allocated for public needs and to the people. Will you take steps to re-establish the rice mill at least on the remaining land? Also, is that rice mill included in the list of 28 warehouses referred to above?

¶ 03 I am asking about the large warehouse that was in that area.