The Hon. Rohana Bandara

¶ 01 Madam Deputy Chairperson of Committees, I thank the Hon. Minister, Hon. Chathura Galappaththi, Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna, Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri, Hon. Upul Kithsiri, and Hon. Imran Maharoof for their contributions.

¶ 02 All agreed that we must protect farmers and supply rice at fair prices to consumers. We did not intend political point-scoring; our aim is practical solutions and cooperation across the aisle.

¶ 03 If farmers are satisfied, the problem eases. As you noted, farmers were dissatisfied because expected yields were not realized, affecting their view of price. Also, market prices remain above the announced rates; today, Nadu paddy is being bought at around Rs. 130 per kg, Samba at about Rs. 135, and Keeri Samba at around Rs. 145 due to lower production and competition among private millers. Even if you open stores and allocate funds, without competitive prices paddy will not reach your facilities.

¶ 04 In 2015, large volumes were procured as the government price was set above market, motivating farmers to deliver to state agencies like SATOSA and the PMB. If your price is below the market, farmers will sell damp paddy at the field to traders; then those with market power will control stocks and dominate later, undermining your strategy. If this path continues, by November rice could exceed Rs. 300 per kg; we have lived through this. Even this season prices approached Rs. 300; setting Rs. 105 led to retail moving toward Rs. 250 as private buyers paid above Rs. 130 for paddy. Please keep this in mind.

¶ 05 On Yala, our canals and tanks are replenished—if we expedite Yala, we can increase output; delays will cut yields. With time saved, we could even pursue a third or bonus crop in some areas. A practical, immediate step is to empower small millers, as was done earlier via District Secretaries. They buy even damp paddy, stock, and later supply to the channels you specify. Provide them with credit facilities promptly.

¶ 06 We also saw ruinous mismanagement of rice under past relief programmes; if you buy, you must manage and rotate stocks properly, first in–first out, with proper visibility. This motion is brought in good faith to protect farmers and consumers. Please treat it as such. Thank you.

¶ 07 Question put, and agreed to.