The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, thank you for the opportunity.

¶ 02 At this time, when we are discussing approvals, regulations and orders brought under several Acts, we especially speak about vehicle import duties. With the economic collapse, the people’s dream of owning a vehicle faded; they counted days to see when they could buy one again. In recent elections many political campaigns, including yours, promised vehicles for Rs. 1.2 to 1.3 million and questioned why such high taxes were charged, saying prices in Japan were far lower. But today, for an ordinary person, a government employee or a young private-sector worker, a vehicle has become a mere dream. A small car costs over Rs. 7.5 to 8 million. There is no vehicle on the market affordable on a salary-backed lease. Even those earning Rs. 150,000–200,000 cannot meet lease payments. Thus the vehicle dream of the working lower middle class, especially youth and public servants, has faded. We urge the government to reform the tax structure so small vehicles can be obtained at reasonable prices.

¶ 03 We also know postal employees are engaged in trade union action. The government says it’s only about introducing fingerprint attendance, but unions say there are many more issues. The government is following a rigid approach. Since you came to power on the votes of public servants, be more flexible and address the postal workers’ grievances.

¶ 04 We also see a token strike today at RDA head office even during lunch hour, over salary issues. 191 senior engineers have left the RDA; since this government came in, 32 more engineers have resigned. Compared with the CEB and the National Water Supply and Drainage Board, RDA salaries are relatively lower. The RDA Director-General’s salary is less than that of a junior engineer in other entities. The Finance Ministry argues CEB and NWSDB earn revenue while RDA does not. If so, empower RDA by law to generate revenue, as it manages the main “A” and “B” roads in addition to provincial roads, yet now earns only from limited sources. The government must act if it expects RDA to retain talent. Minister Bimal Ratnayake has acknowledged a salary issue at RDA, but there is no plan to solve it. I urge attention to this too.

¶ 05 On paddy prices: Farmers in our areas have finished harvesting and selling. Wet paddy was purchased at Rs. 92–95 per kilo. The government announced a controlled rice price of Rs. 120 per kilo and a guaranteed Rs. 102 for wet paddy. But has the government purchased? So far the Paddy Marketing Board has bought only about 16,000 metric tons nationally. In Polonnaruwa District, only 4,362 metric tons have been procured. That’s minimal. You cleaned out the stores and showcased preparations, but where are the purchases? Your policy statement promised: the government will buy paddy, mill it, and release rice to the market. Both farmers and consumers expected fair play. Yet 16,000 MT is very little—less than a day’s rice consumption capacity in PMB stores.

¶ 06 Farmers sell paddy at Rs. 92 per kilo while the controlled retail price for rice is Rs. 230 per kilo—a massive gap. Large millers gain excessive profits, and the government fails to control the rice market. Both consumer and farmer are trapped: farmers struggle to sell; Polonnaruwa is at peak harvesting and the problem worsens. There is no proper mechanism for PMB procurement. Under your government, this season’s paddy purchases have failed. Your promised measures to protect paddy farmers remain fairy tales.

¶ 07 As a former Deputy Minister in the Ministry to which the BOI belongs, I recall we launched the Bingiriya Export Processing Zone. Recently I saw you are preparing land in Mirigama for cannabis cultivation. I am not personally opposed to cannabis cultivation if it brings investment and suits the export economy, but Mirigama land belonging to BOI is not suitable for that. We lack land near Colombo in EPZs such as Katunayake, Biyagama, Koggala, Malwatta-Hiripitiya, and Mirigama Phase 2010—these are saturated. I established Bingiriya EPZ which still has land. Some investors, however, prefer Colombo-adjacent locations. The identified Mirigama land is mostly occupied by industries. Instead of giving that to cannabis, improve infrastructure and allocate it to export-oriented factories. Cannabis can be grown in areas like Wellawaya and lower Uva, where ample land exists. Using prime Mirigama BOI land for cannabis would be a grave mistake.

¶ 08 Provincial Councils have failed and are inactive. The Yahapalanaya government also bears responsibility: it changed the electoral system instead of ensuring continuity, creating a crisis. Massive funds are allocated to provincial institutions, yet they operate without elected representatives. By next month on the 21st, it will be a year since the President assumed office, but we see no steps to reactivate PCs. PCs were created primarily for power-sharing, focusing on the North-East. People there look to PCs for devolved authority. Their continued inactivity creates frustration. Bring necessary constitutional amendments quickly and hold PC elections—at least within the first few months of next year—by bringing the requisite laws and regulations. Thank you.