The Hon. (Dr.) M. L. A. M. Hizbullah

¶ 01 Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim.

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, we must rebuild agriculture and the economy by also attracting foreign investors; merely staying inward-looking or trading barbs across the aisle will not solve problems.

¶ 03 The “Ditva” cyclone and floods severely affected the country—farmlands and fisheries were hard hit. Fisherfolk have not received adequate relief—no nets, small boats, nor support to restore livelihoods. In the North and East, and in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, paddy cultivation suffered badly. In Ampara, which Hon. Uthumaleppai represents, farmers are yet to be compensated. Seed paddy, fertilizer, and fuel should be provided on a subsidy basis to revive agriculture nationally. Vegetable and floriculture growers in Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, and Matale are also badly affected—announcements aside, relief has not reached them.

¶ 04 Hon. Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, as an academic you should ensure realistic, national-scale recovery plans. Today at Dambulla wholesale: carrots Rs. 300/kg, beans Rs. 450/kg, green chilies Rs. 600/kg. Neighboring countries like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh have pushed agricultural productivity far ahead—I saw this in Kerala recently. The Finance Ministry must lead practical arrangements to strengthen agriculture, including concessional electricity for agri-processing and greenhouse cultivation, as India provides. High power tariffs, input costs, and fuel prices deter investment in agriculture here.

¶ 05 Many foreign investors are willing to come if we ensure safety, security, and predictable policies. Devise a focused program to attract them and facilitate investment—especially into agriculture. Otherwise, we will keep debating while terms end and new governments arrive, with no progress. We are ready to cooperate fully with practical, forward-looking plans to rebuild the nation. Thank you.