The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, we welcome Hon. Rohana Bandara’s Motion for an insurance scheme for farmers. Farmers are the backbone of this country; they sacrifice even their lives so people can live without hunger. The government has a duty to protect them.

¶ 02 Across periods, farmers have suffered repeated losses; some have even taken their own lives due to debt. Despite flood disasters, compensation has often been delayed or inadequate. Besides natural calamities, they incur other related losses. They toil in mud from young age, yet in old age they are homebound and unsupported. The government has a responsibility to provide a robust, free farmer insurance and pension scheme, as seen in advanced countries. Interest rates on farm loans are excessive; microcredit entities exploit farmers with usurious rates, pushing them to sell assets and land.

¶ 03 Protect them with fair, timely guaranteed prices for paddy and prompt compensation for crop damages. Farmers should be honored; the government must safeguard them. Thank you.