The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, during today’s debate on the Vote on Account, since morning opposition MPs have presented various views. MP Kabir Hashim said the National People’s Power (NPP) government will walk on a “vine bridge.” But if needed, we can speak about those who clung to Ranil Wickremesinghe’s vine bridge to travel abroad, and those who clung to it to obtain appointments. As a government, we will not walk on Ranil Wickremesinghe’s vine bridge. Instead, the majority of our people have entrusted significant power to the NPP to take this country forward with confidence. Therefore, as a government, we are intervening to build a production-based economy, paying attention to every sector. Some may think we will hang on that vine bridge; others may think that after 76 years of decline we can turn the country around in 14 or 15 days. No — we are moving under a clear concept: “A Prosperous Country — Beautiful Lives,” a five-year plan that details how we will uplift farmers, fishers, small and medium entrepreneurs, and small industries. We will proceed methodically. We will not go clinging to Ranil Wickremesinghe’s vine bridge.

¶ 02 Today, many spoke about the devastation caused by recent floods: farmlands destroyed and lives lost. Many in the opposition asked whether only Rs. 40,000 per acre would be paid in compensation. For 76 years, those who held power framed these policies and circulars, and many of those same people now sit in the opposition. They ask us about Rs. 40,000 per acre. We know Rs. 40,000 is not sufficient: Rs. 40,000 for total loss of paddy per acre, Rs. 20,000 for partial loss, Rs. 8,000 at early seedling stage — these are insufficient. Yes, we must change that. The NPP came to power to fulfil these needs of our farming community. So shouting now is useless. For 76 years, many of our rulers broke the productive agricultural economy. They did not plan for the farmers who feed 22 million people. Hence farmers remain mired in hardship.

¶ 03 Key issues must be raised. First is production costs. Many said it now costs a lot to cultivate an acre. True. But we did not increase those costs; the wrong socio-economic patterns over 76 years bankrupted the country and piled unlimited taxes on agricultural inputs and equipment. That created today’s problem. Our five-year plan is to uplift those who toil with this soil to feed 22 million people and to reduce production costs by reducing taxes on agricultural machinery and inputs. Only then will rice production costs fall. Government must grant reliefs to farmers; we have decided to do so.

¶ 04 Another key issue is water. Many farmers lack sufficient water to cultivate both Yala and Maha. Historically, we had a vast irrigation heritage — 103 rivers from the central highlands flow to the sea; we had 32,000 small tanks; now only about 14,200 remain. After a couple of showers they overflow; after two months they dry. For 76 years, many rulers did not rehabilitate these tanks. Instead of storing water on the land, they have allowed it to run to the sea. We have plans to provide sufficient water for both seasons by modernizing the Irrigation Department and by rehabilitating small tanks, even introducing fish fingerlings and village fisheries committees to combat malnutrition, so people can at least have a nutritious meal with fish once a day. We must take work in that direction.

¶ 05 Land is another major issue. For years, many rulers sold and allocated our lands to their associates and companies. Recently, good lands were allocated for banana plantations to Dole. But they did not provide land and facilities to enable our youth — who wish to farm with hope — to engage in agri-industry. We need a proper land-use plan that allocates lands for essential food production, and provides farmers with the necessary support, including seeds and market access. Past rulers did not even buy paddy; now they speak of rice prices rising. Those who held power for 76 years must answer.

¶ 06 Human–elephant conflict is another severe issue. In districts like Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Puttalam, Hambantota, and Monaragala, farmers suffer. For 76 years, rulers exacerbated, not solved, this problem.

¶ 07 Through this Vote on Account and the Appropriation Bill to be presented in February, the NPP government will table a program to address long-standing crises in agriculture and other sectors, and to rebuild the productive economy. We ask the opposition not to expect miracles from a 14-day-old government, but to evaluate the program when we present the Appropriation Bill — our measures to revive industry, farmers, fishers, and the production economy. We ask the people to join us and proceed with confidence. Thank you.