Hon. Chanaka Madugoda

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, today an Order under Section 2 of the Special Commodity Levy Act No. 48 of 2007 is before the House. Driven by a sentiment to protect the potato and onion farmer, this Order has been presented. We must ask first whether the consumer has been forgotten. We know the farmer must be protected. Since 2007, levies were imposed to protect them. Almost 20 years later, potato and onion farmers are still not secure. There is a flaw in this approach.

¶ 02 This Government, when in Opposition, claimed to have solutions. They accused former governments of imposing levies to earn commissions or please cronies. Those who led strikes then are Ministers today. If levies were for commissions then, are they still so now, or has it changed?

¶ 03 Domestic production: potatoes about 28% of need; onions about 4%. Thus we import roughly 72% of potatoes and 96% of onions. We are now imposing Rs. 80/kg on potatoes and Rs. 50/kg on onions. For two decades we have spoken of protecting farmers by levies. Yet we must also protect consumers. Rather than only levies, provide targeted support and an assured income framework to farmers.

¶ 04 If the Government offers a better programme than more levies, that is what should be done. Otherwise, next year we will again impose levies, still failing to protect farmers, as domestic production remains 4% for onions and 28% for potatoes. If we can raise potato production to 50% and onions to 30–40%, we will have a real answer.

¶ 05 Given today’s hardships and floods, many people face difficulties. Through District and Divisional Secretaries and Grama Niladhari officers, the Government has a programme. Sometimes aid is given only if a kitchen is submerged. Please empower local officers with discretion to respond to actual conditions. If so, it will be worthwhile. Thank you for the time, Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees.