The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe

¶ 01 Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim.

¶ 02 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, I am pleased to speak on the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill presented by the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies.

¶ 03 The Eastern Province is a key pillar for Sri Lanka’s balanced economic growth. Though it spans a vast area with a long coastline, its full economic potential hasn’t been realized. Over 70% of people depend on primary sectors — agriculture and fisheries. Ampara District is known as “the rice bowl of Sri Lanka,” cultivating on a large scale in both Maha and Yala seasons, producing about 20–25% of national paddy.

¶ 04 The East is not only fields and sea; it has huge potential for national economic revival. The Government must resolve dairy production issues, modernize fisheries and agriculture, and create value-added industries. From Ampara alone, about 22% of national paddy is produced. Nearly 12,500 acres remain inundated; if drainage projects like Sampukalappu and Karaivakupattru are completed, the District could contribute up to 30% of national paddy.

¶ 05 Ampara farmers have paid Rs. 6.3 billion for fertilizer but have not received it on time. Despite payment, fertilizer delays have severely affected them; for two years floods compounded the issue. If fertilizer is not provided within a week, the season’s efforts will be wasted.

¶ 06 The total fertilizer allocation needed for Ampara farmers is 15,650 MT; only 6,311 MT has been delivered so far; 9,339 MT remain pending, of which 1,145 MT is now being arranged, partly because His Excellency the President will attend the Ampara District Coordinating Committee meeting on the 22nd. But still 8,194 MT must be delivered. I urge the Hon. Minister of Agriculture to ensure prompt, uninterrupted supply.

¶ 07 Previously, paying Rs. 350 brought a fertilizer sack to a farmer’s doorstep. Now, fertilizer costs up to Rs. 18,000 per sack sold via private distributors, yet after paying large sums, farmers still face delays. You must implement alternative distribution plans. Under former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the ban on chemical fertilizer precipitated national crisis; do not recreate that.

¶ 08 Another pressing issue: paddy stocks remain in Marketing Board warehouses for a year. In Sainthamaruthu 2,000 MT, Malwatte 2,300 MT, Navithanveli 2,000 MT, Addalaichenai 1,500 MT, Akkaraipattu (two stores) 3,400 MT, Thambattai 1,800 MT, Sakamam 1,200 MT, Pottuvil 2,000 MT, and Lakhugal 3,000 MT — totaling 50,000 MT — are lying in stores. If not moved or milled before the next harvest in July, farmers will face heavy losses. The Ministry of Finance must allocate special funds to transport or mill these stocks. With that request, I conclude. Thank you.