The Hon. Namal Karunaratne

¶ 01 If one could fill the Treasury in a simple way, there would be no issue. What is clearly being expressed here is hypocrisy. Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa himself said, “I saved myself because of Premadasa.” Such a statement existed; this is a public matter.

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, you cannot fill the Treasury in that manner; it is not simple. We are ready to accept constructive criticism presented in good faith by the Opposition, but we are not ready to accept criticisms presented in bad faith. Reviewing this Budget Document with all these aspects, we can describe it as a budget that allows all segments of our people to keep reasonable expectations.

¶ 03 I also need to clarify an issue raised recently by farmers. Today, problems have arisen for potato and big onion farmers, among others. From the agricultural side, we have implemented a programme to increase paddy production. In the last Yala season, we had the largest harvest in recent history. We are on a targeted path, having selected 13 crops and launched a promotion programme for them, with initial success.

¶ 04 For example, we have stopped importing mung beans; going forward, imports are unnecessary as domestic production exceeds demand. The Government has already begun purchasing a portion of that crop.

¶ 05 Wheat production has significantly increased compared to last year, as have other crops. When we assumed office, big onion production was under 7,000 metric tons; now it is around 62,000 metric tons. Potatoes show a similar trend. As production rises, some market issues have emerged.

¶ 06 To our beloved farmers: we feel your heartbeat; we feel your pain and burden. You will recall that at the New Rice Festival, the President said we will resolve farmers’ issues systematically, but we cannot fix market problems overnight — give us three to four seasons. We are addressing market issues step by step. Paddy farmers’ market issues have been mitigated to a considerable extent; we have provided fair solutions, and all farmer organizations publicly expressed satisfaction.

¶ 07 We will similarly and systematically resolve issues for other crops. With the intervention of the Trade Ministry, we started purchasing big onions in Thambuttegama and Dambulla and continue to do so; potatoes are being purchased in Bogahakumbura, Keppetipola and Nuwara Eliya. We acknowledge certain difficulties faced by farmers and will resolve them. This morning, about 50 lorries of big onions arrived at Dambulla Economic Centre and were sold to farmers at around Rs. 175 per kilo. The situation is easing, but a stable solution is needed.

¶ 08 Yesterday, Ministers Lal Kantha, Wasantha Samarasinghe, I, and officials met to devise an implementable work plan. In this Budget, Rs. 1,000 million has been allocated to resolve market issues for maize, potatoes and big onions. Accordingly, the Trade Minister made a statement; I add that we will announce guaranteed prices for these crops, and the Government will intervene to purchase them in a more systematic manner.

¶ 09 We will also focus on reducing production costs and increasing yields, so that input costs fall and consumers receive relief. We will resolve farmers’ market issues step by step.

¶ 10 Regarding plantation workers, some have questioned how public funds can support wage increases for companies. We are saddened by such remarks. Do not trample the meagre sustenance of innocent people who survive on a little bread made of flour, a piece of jaggery and a cup of plain tea. Those who never spoke when public funds were looted now complain when a small allowance is given to these workers. We regret that those who squandered public money view an increase to poor plantation workers’ wages as something despicable. With this, I conclude by expressing confidence that with this Budget we can take a great leap, and we will take it, guiding this country to a safe, better place. I resume my seat.