The Hon. Chaminda Lalith Kumara

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, we are today holding an important debate on the COPE report presented through Parliament for the people to know. We must thank the COPE Chairman and everyone who toiled for this. What is revealed is nothing but a major financial crime.

¶ 02 This is a country nourished by milk, rice and grains. The present decline did not happen overnight; without farsighted leadership the country was weakened across all sectors, including the dairy sector. Many of our Members highlighted the figures in the Committee report. But beyond the numbers, as someone from Gampaha, I wondered whether the widespread theft of dairy cattle and the deterioration of the sector had invisible political hands behind it, and who should be held politically responsible.

¶ 03 On one hand, the State imported dairy cows, paying billions in advance, and at times the animals did not even arrive. Where consignments did arrive, distribution happened via political networks, seemingly to award private gains to political representatives. Our colleague Nihal Galappaththi also raised this. While they sought private benefit, they claimed to be building expressways and carpeting village roads. Today’s Opposition includes those very people. It appears some were even ready to personally raise the cattle for their own benefit while public assets were plundered. This report exposes such foundational crimes.

¶ 04 Today, dairy farmers struggle to protect their herds. Lives built over years are under threat as cattle are even being slaughtered. Armed gangs are involved in theft; recently, in Minuwangoda, a dairy farmer was stabbed to death. In Gampaha District, 25 to 30 dairy cows are stolen in a single day.

¶ 05 At the same time, the cry to import dairy cows grew louder after 2011. Is there a link between the surge in theft and these imports? This morning, Minister Chamara Sampath and the Leader of the Opposition raised unrelated points during such a debate, with others joining in unhelpfully. Let me move to a constructive proposal.

¶ 06 In discussions with the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, we proposed that roadside grasses widely growing along our roads be cut and supplied to the dairy sector, helping schoolchildren as well. The Chairman of India’s Amul cooperative, when brought to Sri Lanka, publicly said we have enough roadside grasses to develop our dairy industry and achieve self-sufficiency. Though local authorities are understaffed, if we procure mechanized grass-cutting equipment, we can rapidly harvest grass and channel it to dairy feed or compost production. This could be a practical national initiative. Even those who promote distorted narratives could be given grass, if not milk.

¶ 07 Local authorities can play a vital role. Meanwhile, cattle theft has become a dire threat. I have a photo of a prize-winning cow belonging to Mr. Sunil Ratnayake of Meerigama, which won a Western Province competition and gave the owner opportunities abroad. That same high-yield cow was stolen days later. A cow yielding 10 litres a day gives 300 litres a month; across six years, that’s over 12,000 litres per cow. Importing unsuitable breeds from Australia, while we have suitable Friesian-type and Sahiwal-type cattle adapted here, has created problems. Veterinary officers warned against bringing such cows into Gampaha, yet 30 cows were brought and kept even at a church in the Meerigama-Loluwagoda area, against expert advice.

¶ 08 Some Members today blamed officials. But time and again, politicians misuse officials, then scapegoat them. The former Secretary to the Ministry of Finance said he was prevented from performing his duties and no one listened to him. Those playing political games with upright officials are being exposed. Thanks to past COPE leadership that publicized findings, and to the current Chairman and team, such matters are now being pursued.

¶ 09 The Government is ready to enforce the law and punish those who deprived the nation of wealth through this corrupt import scheme and related crimes. We often say, “a drop of dung spoils the pot of milk.” That is what happened systemically in the past, leaving only “dung” in processes. Yet like the swan that separates milk from water, this Malima Government will cleanse the country of corrupt forces and deliver to the people. With the people’s blessings and in line with our policy, we will nourish, secure and heal the nation. We invite even progressive Opposition Members to join.

¶ 10 Thank you.