The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition
Sajith Premadasa urged the Government to reassess the paddy cost-of-production formula with state institutions and experts, arguing that the stated Rs. 95 per kilogramme was unrealistic given higher fuel, machinery, seed, and fertilizer costs. He called on the Government to fulfill its promise to pay and legislate a Rs. 150 per kilogramme price, relax the 14 per cent moisture standard where necessary, and expand procurement support for farmers during the Yala season amid continuing fertilizer shortages.
Verbatim record (translated)
Machine-translated from Sinhala / Tamil / English¶ 01 Thank you, Minister. I urge a review of the cost formula with state institutions and experts; actual costs are higher given global conditions, fuel, machinery, and seed prices. You promised Rs. 150 per kg and to legislate it—please fulfill that. Also, consider relaxing the strict 14% moisture standard under current difficulties, as fertilizer shortages (urea, MOP, TSP) persist and even the Deputy Minister has said required quantities cannot be provided. The stated COP of Rs. 95 per kg is unrealistic; please reassess with experts. Increase the overall procurement share and relax conditions where warranted to support farmers in this Yala season.
Provenance
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- Hansard, Tuesday, 5 May 2026 ·No. 23546 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard
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Cite as: The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition. 10th Parliament, Parliament of Sri Lanka. Hansard, 5 May 2026. No. 23546. Politick, https://staging.politick.io/lk/speeches/19821