The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I am pleased to participate in this debate on the Regulations under the Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties Act.

¶ 02 In Mannar, issues regarding wind power generation continue. Today, together with the Hon. Minister Kumar Jayakody and the Chair of the Mannar District Development Committee, we decided to meet our representatives on the 7th to seek a solution. Owing to people’s protests, there is concern that matters could escalate on the 5th. I thank the Hon. Minister for initiating steps toward a solution.

¶ 03 Questions arise whether these Regulations would impose taxes on producers. In Vanni District, farmers struggle to sell produce at fair prices. For example, eggplant bought at Rs. 100 per kilogram is sold at Rs. 300-400 by intermediaries. Farmers toil to cultivate and safeguard crops, but middlemen capture the margins, causing losses to farmers. To encourage producers, we must create local market opportunities. The Government should establish market arrangements in rural areas for produce such as yams and vegetables. In the North, palmyrah-based foods and handicrafts like hats are produced by women-headed households, yet they do not receive fair prices. Before bringing new levies, ensure these producers can obtain fair returns; only then will such measures be meaningful.

¶ 04 There is also severe monkey menace across our regions, devastating agriculture. Promised solutions such as exports to reduce populations have not materialized. Between elephants on one side and monkeys on the other, how can our farmers continue? Address these ground realities first; then we can discuss taxes and legal frameworks.

¶ 05 Proper market infrastructure is lacking. Take Pesalai: vendors gather in the morning and disperse—this is not a structured market. Hon. Deputy Minister, please create even basic market facilities in larger villages so local produce reaches consumers effectively. Unless farmers and fishers get fair prices, they remain below the poverty line, and the economy falls behind. If we strengthen local producers, we can move the country forward. The United States imposes tariffs; we can also leverage nearby India to obtain goods at competitive prices. But unless we protect small farmers, fishers and smallholders, gaps will be exploited by big traders. As I said, buying at Rs. 100 and selling wholesale at Rs. 300-400 is common—farmers suffer greatly, guarding crops day and night from animals.

¶ 06 In Mannar, palmyrah handicrafts are sold at occasional fairs with meagre returns, while demand exists abroad. Hon. Minister, if we facilitate exports for these handicrafts, we can earn foreign exchange and uplift the economy through small industries. War-affected farmers and fishers in Vanni still suffer; please focus on these issues. With rising fuel prices, fishers’ incomes have declined; with soaring cost of living, farmers cannot operate properly. This is a national issue, not only in our region. Focus on rural producers when implementing taxes, and create a climate without fear so people can work productively. Thank you.