The Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha - Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, first, I wish to express my respect and thanks to the people of Kandy District. Twelve MPs were elected from Kandy; nine are from the National People’s Power (Jathika Jana Balawegaya – JJB). That is a remarkable victory, and I thank the citizens who strengthened this Parliament by giving us more than two-thirds of the district seats.

¶ 02 Key unresolved issues in the district have emerged. One is wild animal damage—now a severe, islandwide problem affecting agriculture and public life. We cannot move forward without solving it. I must tell farmers: while compensation for crop damage is being worked on, you also have the legal right to take necessary measures within your own land to protect your crops from animals. At the same time, our Ministry bears responsibility to find systemic solutions and will intervene.

¶ 03 Another priority is floods in Akurana. Hon. Riyas Farook, elected from Akurana, is present. The foremost request from Akurana’s residents is flood mitigation. As Minister in charge, I assure a special project proposal has been prepared and immediate steps will be taken. Various reports have already been submitted. Other issues in Kandy will also be addressed swiftly, without breaking the trust placed in us.

¶ 04 Philosophically, there are no problems without solutions. History shows humanity finds answers— even to COVID-19. We told the people the country had collapsed and must be rebuilt, and laid out four areas: repair political culture first, then the economy, the society, and the nation’s culture. We begin our “system change” with political culture. From the day President Anura Kumara Dissanayake took office, we ended the tradition of vengeance against the defeated. We stopped extravagant state ceremonies and waste. We have reformed official vehicle misuse. These are victories and savings added to the economy.

¶ 05 Next is the state service. There remains inefficiency and delays. With the political culture reforms in place, we need an efficient, service-oriented public administration. State workers also endorsed system change at the postal vote. We believe we can move forward effectively with them.

¶ 06 Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha asked about the claim by a Presidential Senior Adviser, Mr. Duminda Hulugalle, that 500,000 state employees should be removed. I was interrupted before finishing earlier: yes, there are areas with excess, but there are also critical shortages. For instance, the Department of Wildlife Conservation lacks sufficient officers—especially in areas affected by elephants. Temporary measures with the military or Civil Security cannot proceed without wildlife officers; there is a shortage. Likewise, in managing monkeys and sterilization efforts, veterinary officers say the cadre is insufficient. Elsewhere, there are clusters of excess staff recruited politically to institutions, with no defined work—like groups at Nawalpitiya in my own Ministry. I have directed that such appointees be regularized if there is no valid reason not to, and if there is a reason, it should be stated transparently.

¶ 07 On crop compensation and farmer livelihoods: irrespective of whether it is Rs. 40,000 or any number, we will take all necessary steps to uplift farmer life. We have invested vast sums for irrigation for decades; yet farmers remain poor despite officers, salaries, vehicles. My goal is to strengthen all cultivators—paddy, vegetables, and livestock. Project proposals must center farmer benefits. Many private sector proposals ignore farmers’ share; I have insisted farmer benefits be integral, otherwise we will not approve, fund or implement them.

¶ 08 On consumer issues: despite many agencies—such as the Paddy Marketing Board—performance has been ineffective. We inherited a Paddy Marketing Board without even seed paddy. If both farmers are poor and consumers suffer, what is the point? With the President and Cabinet, we will take all necessary measures to lift these communities out of poverty and will provide all needed support.

¶ 09 Thank you.