The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda

¶ 01 Mr. Chairman, speaking on behalf of Galle District on the votes of the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Community Infrastructure Facilities, I note that over 90,000 smallholder tea growers and about 150,000 persons in cinnamon are in my district. While the current Budget gives certain space to plantation development, for Galle’s small tea and cinnamon sectors, the funds are insufficient.

¶ 02 Rs. 500 million has been allocated to carry forward the Northern Coconut Triangle, aiming to rehabilitate over 16,000 acres with improved varieties—this is good. However, recent diseases—whitefly and the Weligama/Matara issues—have severely affected coconut. I must thank the Coconut Cultivation Board and its officers for their special efforts to contain these outbreaks; without that, matters would be worse.

¶ 03 The Minister mentioned fertilizer support for coconut—this is important. Replanting programs need years to yield; with immediate fertilizer assistance, we could realize 20–30 percent yield from existing stands more quickly.

¶ 04 On cinnamon: after being under the Department of Export Agriculture since 1972, a new Cinnamon Development Department was created in 2023. While well-intentioned, it has become ineffective—paying Rs. 450,000 a month in rent (Rs. 5.4 million annually) without adequate technical staffing; only four Science Service officers are there. It has become a white elephant. I propose returning cinnamon development to the Department of Export Agriculture.

¶ 05 Smallholder tea is active in Galle, but rising costs push growers out. For replanting, government support of Rs. 600,000 per hectare is insufficient when actual costs exceed Rs. 5 million. Please increase support to around Rs. 1 million per hectare. Also, enable purchase of tea fertilizer at government prices from open markets through a proper mechanism, as current procurement via state companies faces hurdles.

¶ 06 Wages: the government has agreed to Rs. 1,350 daily for estate workers, while the previous government discussed Rs. 1,700. Is Rs. 1,350 sufficient? Also, many estate-linked communities in Galle face deficiencies in housing, roads and infrastructure; please address them.

¶ 07 Obstacles in obtaining soil and inputs for smallholders also hinder tea; please resolve such regulatory blocks. For other export crops in Galle, problems should be solved through the Department of Export Agriculture. As I urged, return the new cinnamon body back under it.

¶ 08 Coconut too needs fertilizer subsidies; many smallholders currently show little interest due to costs. The state must step in as a social responsibility to strengthen the industry and remove obstacles.

¶ 09 I wish the Ministry success under these votes and request provisions to resolve Galle’s issues. Thank you.