The Hon. Champika Hettiarachchi

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, among today’s Private Members’ Motions from the Opposition, one is on MPs’ privileges, another on essential food security, one on diplomatic service, and one on housing for all—these are in our NPP policy “Prosperous country – Beautiful life.” Seeing some things, we wonder: after enjoying the President’s Fund and Rs. 3,500-4,000 meals in the Parliamentary canteen, they now talk about privileges and food security. Are they this upset after the election results? They are more interested in our policies than we are. It reminds me of Hon. Sajith Premadasa promising to show up at night to fix houses—now I wonder whether the Opposition are visiting our offices and homes at night because we are implementing our manifesto pledges one by one.

¶ 02 We pledged to produce domestically everything we can. On page 113 under “National Food Security,” we state: - State support to domestically produce all food that can be produced locally. - Maintain essential food buffer stocks adequate for at least three months.

¶ 03 We are already acting. We have strengthened the distribution network—Sathosa and Lak Sathosa—and modernized and expanded branches. We recently took over the co-operatives and are revitalizing them to strengthen distribution. Previously, some Sathosa outlets were rented from friends at high rents; there were no lorries. We are addressing transport and storage. We have refurbished warehouses to reduce post-harvest losses, which were about 30%. We are reducing losses and acting. Staffing shortages are being addressed with new recruits for these tasks.

¶ 04 There was congestion at ports delaying clearance; staff worked day and night. Digitization helps maintain stock levels and identify market needs. We have set records—Rs. 870 million day revenue during Sinhala New Year due to our programme. Sathosa has reduced prices by 23% enabling competitive prices for consumers.

¶ 05 Hon. Deputy Speaker, time is up.

¶ 06 Further, we reduced post-harvest loss by 28%. For example, “antigen” cancer medicine was imported at around Rs. 70,000 under a mafia; we reduced it to around Rs. 300. That era of tax breaks for cronies and crashing the economy is over. We will continue strengthening the economy, agriculture, and industry.

¶ 07 Thank you.