The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Presiding Member. I wish to contribute a few views to the debate under section 2(3) of the Special Commodity Levy Act, No. 48 of 2007.

¶ 02 The regulations made do not comprehensively address the hardships of ordinary people regarding the pricing and quality of food sold at eateries and shops. When a person goes to a food outlet, the only thing visible is the price they post. There is no real way for the public to know whether the food is prepared hygienically. The storefronts may look attractive, but both cooked food and food items are not sold at the regulated prices.

¶ 03 In our Vanni region—Mullaitivu, Vavuniya, Mannar—commodities are not sold at the stipulated prices. In Mannar, I can say some Public Health Inspectors are acting fairly, but elsewhere, after taking bribes, shops sell well above controlled prices, and officials often look the other way.

¶ 04 Hon. Presiding Member, the Consumer Affairs Authority and the offices that should curb unfair trade practices must be vigilant. District officers should detect overpricing. Government officials must pay attention and act firmly. While this government focuses on curbing corruption and narcotics, it must also ensure that hardworking people can purchase essentials at fair prices.

¶ 05 Just as the government acts decisively against drugs, it should also act against those who sell rice, sugar, and other daily necessities at inflated prices. Price variations are rampant: the same tablet costs one price in Vavuniya, another in Colombo, Mullaitivu, and Mannar. How can ordinary people buy medicines from private pharmacies in such a situation? If the government can combat drugs and corruption effectively, it must also address price abuses.

¶ 06 Although there are efforts to uplift farmers, price instability persists. Private mafias are aggressively purchasing paddy and produce at prices they set, exploiting farmers. The government must act on this too.

¶ 07 Next, on regulations under the Motor Traffic Act. I have already raised Mannar district transport issues with the Minister. The rail service from Mannar is virtually unusable to the public. Currently, the train leaves Mannar at 1.00 a.m. If the departure were at 10.00 p.m., it could reach here by around 4.00 a.m., which would be more practical. I request the Minister to consider this change.

¶ 08 More seriously, the government is attempting something unacceptable—running a “shadow” provincial administration without holding Provincial Council elections. In the Northern Province, despite having ministries like Education and Agriculture in name, they function under the Governor, imitating a shadow administration not provided for in the Constitution. I urge the Hon. President to end this unlawful shadow Provincial Council system. Hold the Provincial Council elections and allow democratic governance. Thank you.