The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I represent Nuwara Eliya, where most are potato farmers. Let me speak practically. About 60% in Nuwara Eliya depend on potatoes; each farmer provides work to 15–20 laborers. The cost to produce a kilo is around Rs. 200, yet today they sell at Rs. 180 in Nuwara Eliya as well—go to Keppetipola or Bandarawela market and see. Farmers are losing Rs. 20/kg. They mortgage homes and jewelry and still lose. Then they will abandon potato. Even the Sita Eliya seed potato store cannot sell seed now because no one wants to plant.

¶ 02 Our climate is rainy many days; more pesticides are needed; cost of production is higher than Bandarawela/Keppetipola. We must balance fairness: traders should earn reasonably; farmers should earn; consumers must be protected. But do not protect consumers by pushing farmers into ruin.

¶ 03 There are over 50 dealers in Nuwara Eliya. Earlier, a shop sold 300 sacks a day; now only 50 because imported potatoes are coming and are stored in cool rooms. After a month, they sprout; sprouted potatoes are then trimmed and sent to market—this is not good for health; rings appear inside. I have 30 years in this business; I also farm. Leeks cost about Rs. 100/kg to produce; market price is around Rs. 70. Carrot costs Rs. 110 to produce; sells around Rs. 120. Beet costs Rs. 90; sells around Rs. 60. With such margins, no one wants to farm. Estate laborers get Rs. 1,350–1,700 a day, but vegetable packing centers pay around Rs. 4,000 a day—distorting labor availability.

¶ 04 Please prepare a plan. This problem predates this Government. I have been here 20 years and have raised this many times. When Hon. Bandula Gunawardana was Minister, he adjusted levies timely. I asked you as early as April to raise the levy a bit; had that been done, farmers would not now be in distress. Our economics: if the harvest is 1:10, we profit; at 1:7 we lose. Please act.