The Hon. Rohana Bandara

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, on this first sitting day of 2025, I wish strength and fortune to all to make it a decisive year.

¶ 02 People did not begin the year with good news. When Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake was in Opposition, he placed a mountain of expectations—speaking of making graphite from graphite mines, sulphuric acid from sea water. But now we lack even salt and red chillies for New Year, and rice for milk rice. Today a Minister boasts that unprecedented tax revenue—Rs. 50 billion—from rice imports was collected. Why boast about taxing people desperate enough to queue for rice? Which government ever levied Rs. 65 per kg on imported rice? If you had set only Rs. 5 or 10, imported rice would retail near Rs. 100 per kg and local rice could float Rs. 20–25 higher. Instead, you held “dialogues” with millers, then raised controlled prices and taxed imports at Rs. 65, aligning imported prices with local, thus squeezing small traders while big millers gained.

¶ 03 From the Opposition front row, you raised your finger at us; people believed you, which is why you got this mandate. But you are still making old speeches. You have 159 MPs now—people watch where they will halt you. You must meet consumer needs, not only reward rice businessmen who funded your campaigns.

¶ 04 On fertilizer support: you claim to have given it, but it is unclear whether you are giving the Rs. 25,000 per hectare approved by Ranil Wickremesinghe’s last Cabinet or Rs. 15,000. Many farmers have not received even 5 per cent of dues; most got only Rs. 15,000. Clarify and pay quickly.

¶ 05 Where is Namal Karunaratne who once marched for Rs. 130+ farm‑gate paddy prices and timely fertilizer? He and his allies have vanished. In 100 days you have let farmers down like no government before.

¶ 06 Yahapalana, in its first 100 days, cut petrol to Rs. 117 and diesel to Rs. 95 and reduced essentials. You, who swore never to follow Ranil’s path, are now following it to the letter.

¶ 07 Harvest is imminent. What is your plan to purchase paddy? Last season you demanded Rs. 135; now farm‑gate is over Rs. 140 in the market but farmers ask for a fair controlled price of Rs. 130 per kg. If you do not establish a fair purchasing mechanism, we will mobilize farmers—more strongly than any past protests—to secure just prices.

¶ 08 Also, where is the Paddy Marketing Board? Warehouses are overgrown or ruined. The irony is those who once set fire to paddy stores now promise to renovate them. The public will judge.

¶ 09 Thank you.