The Hon. W.H.M. Dharmasena

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, I am thankful for the opportunity to comment on the Ministry of Plantations and Community Infrastructure, which is vital to the economy and people’s lives. Through tea, coconut, rubber, pepper and such crops, our farmers significantly strengthen the economy. The question has been whether support commensurate with their contribution has been provided.

¶ 02 In Monaragala, rubber growers receive concessions, which continue. Rubber cultivation there is progressing well; we must protect it. In some areas, however, yellowing disease exists; please investigate and act.

¶ 03 Coconut cultivators face injustice. Young coconut saplings are destroyed by porcupines; even mature palms of 10–15 years are uprooted by wild elephants. After heavy loss of productive palms, please create a compensation mechanism (chathina) for affected growers.

¶ 04 Sugarcane cultivation operates in Monaragala. Lanka Sugar Company produces at Pelwatte and Sevanagala; Gal Oya Plantations at Hingurana; Eethimale Sugar Company at Eethimale. Yet, I believe less than 15–25 percent of national sugar demand is met domestically, and even that is not getting good prices. Pelwatte is struggling. Please create better market conditions for domestically produced sugar. Currently sugar and spirits are sold at low prices. Protect Pelwatte, which employs nearly 4,000; Sevanagala about 1,300. These institutions used to be under one Ministry. I do not know why some subjects were removed. Hon. Deputy Chairperson, please draw the Hon. Minister’s attention.

¶ 05 At Pelwatte, the medical insurance for about 4,000 employees has been stopped; the year-end bonus has been stopped; payments for accumulated sick leave are stopped; promotions are frozen. Kindly look into these. Although this is not exactly your subject, as a key Minister from Uva Province, please take note.

¶ 06 There are reports that long-serving temporary and contract workers – five to ten years of work – are to be terminated. They and their parents have served Pelwatte; please retain them.

¶ 07 At Sevanagala, the basic salary of 1,008 employees has been reduced from 25 January 2025, reversing an earlier increase. Is it possible anywhere to reduce basic pay after granting it? It is highly unfair. Please restore their basic wages. Also, fix stable prices for sugar and spirits produced by these institutions. Thank you.