The Hon. Athula Welandagoda

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, throughout today the government side presented data-based, coherent arguments on three Special Commodity Levy regulations, a Customs motion, and two Motor Traffic orders. The Opposition, however, relied on charge sheets and falsehoods.

¶ 02 On paddy procurement: in the last Yala season, the government purchased 43,861 MT across 16 districts and 137 centers, ensuring guaranteed prices—Naadu at Rs. 120/kg, Samba Rs. 125/kg, Keeri Samba Rs. 132/kg. Earlier, the Paddy Marketing Board was inactive, farmers were driven out of cultivation, and substandard fertilizer even arrived—remember claims it would yield “like a bomb”? Now farmers are breathing again, connected back to the national production economy. Our levy policy protects farmers and consumers.

¶ 03 In Hambantota district, the Ambalantota Rice Research Institute released AT 378, which yields 12–14 MT/ha—evidence of strengthening productive capacity. Inflation is down from 70 percent to about 2 percent; growth from negative to around 5 percent. International indices show steady stabilization.

¶ 04 On security-zone fearmongering: even a former Southern Provincial Minister was assassinated within a high-security zone—history shows such politicization is baseless. The public now sides with those who work seriously. Yesterday we passed the law removing MPs’ pensions, changing political culture in line with the people’s mandate. We invite the Opposition to speak with facts and serve their districts responsibly. Thank you.