The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan

¶ 01 Hon. Minister, thank you for responding under Standing Order 27(2).

¶ 02 In Jaffna’s Valikamam East—Achchuveli, Paththimeni, Idaikadu, Vallalai, Thoppu, Navakkiri, Evinai, Punnalaikattuvan, Urelu, Atchelu, Kondavil, Nirveli, Puttur, and Vatharavathai—farmers are engaged in subsidiary food production. Likewise in the North—Kattuvan, Kurumpasiddy, Vasaavilaan, Thayiddy, Urumpirai, Kopay, Siruppiddy, Avarangkall—farmers produce small onions, beetroot, carrot, grapes, etc. In Vadamarachchi—Amban, Kudathanai, Poonkarain, Kevil, Karaveddy, Nelliyaddy, Yakkerai, Thumpasiddy, Mandaithivu, Karanavai—farmers are significantly engaged in subsidiary food production. Similarly, in Thenmarachchi—Mirushuvil, Mattuvil, Nunavil, Vidaththalpalai, Eluthumadduval, Varani, Kerudavil—farmers are engaged in such production. In Valikamam West—Pandatharippu, Sandilipay, Ilavalai, Sithankerny, Panduvettai, Ponnalai, Vattukottai—farmers are very much engaged. On the islands—Velanai, Allaipitty, Mankumban, Mandaitivu, Analaitivu, Mathagal, Puliyankoodal, Suruvil—farmers too are engaged in subsidiary food production. These are large clusters of producing villages.

¶ 03 Hon. Speaker, this is important. For years, during harvests, import duties were levied, but for the past two years, no such duties were imposed. Small onion producers have suffered heavily; in Colombo, lorries were simply dumping produce on the street. Young and new farmers were badly hit. They are affected by fisheries issues, agriculture issues, and floods. What relief will they receive?