The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri

¶ 01 Madam Deputy Chairperson of Committees, if implemented, Hon. Rohana Bandara’s motion would be historic. No one has been able to break the big millers’ monopoly; this Government also appears unable. We saw even recently how a prominent miller postured. Our colleague has proposed a way for the Government to curb the rice mafia; if you can, do it.

¶ 02 However, amnesia recurs. I urge Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara to recall, with dates, what some said. For instance, on 2023.02.12, a then-opposition figure claimed the cost of production was Rs. 154 per kilo, and alleged promises about guaranteed prices for Nadu. Now we hear claims of Rs. 90 per kilo cost. Which is correct? Also on fertilizer subsidies: how can production costs have reduced when overall prices, inputs, and machinery costs have increased? For example, land preparation per acre cost about Rs. 10,000 then; now it’s around Rs. 25,000. If most prices are higher, how has production cost fallen?

¶ 03 Why do we need a rice buffer? The Government can buy paddy; there is storage. Next, paddy must be milled into rice—requiring a feasible plan. If this motion is implemented, big millers will not be able to dominate the discourse. You must present practical steps with timelines, not vague promises. Then the Opposition will have fewer questions, and voters will gain confidence that the 159 MPs here are executing long-promised solutions. We ask you to fix what you yourselves recognize as problems—don’t merely recite past wrongs. Thank you.