The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe

¶ 01 Thank you very much, Hon. Presiding Member.

¶ 02 Therefore, we are working while prioritizing essential sectors such as agriculture, industry, transport, the SOS industry, and tourism.

¶ 03 [Interruption about paddy harvesting fuel quotas]

¶ 04 For cutting paddy: to cut an acre, fuel usage is typically 10–12 liters. We have given 15 liters per acre; when that becomes 15 per acre, it is 37.5 liters per hectare. That is sufficient, and about five liters will remain. But the farmer also needs to take the vehicle to different locations. The machine that threshes must also travel to fields. That too is a responsibility of the farmer. Afterwards, ploughing begins; for that, we give 20 liters per acre. For threshing three paddy stacks in one field, we provide 50 liters; for two and a half acres, 50 liters. Then, harvesting and processing can be done. I mention this to draw your attention, Hon. Member. This is not only for farmers; it applies to every sector.

¶ 05 In transport, if goods are not moved to the market, prices of available items are pushed up. Therefore, to distribute goods unloaded from the port across the country to retail networks without shortages, we must provide the necessary fuel to those distribution networks. Prime movers taking containers out for release, and those moving export cargo to the port, require additional diesel. Likewise, onions, potatoes, sugar, dhal, and other items unloaded at the port must be distributed nationwide; that also needs fuel. There are retail networks; we provided them the facilities. Not only that, but even the village grass cutters, the chainsaw operators pruning trees, and the small-scale fishermen using boats—everyone who needs facilitation—are being considered. The President convened the appointed committee again today to identify bottlenecks in transport and supply chains. We have paid special attention to this because this war is at a level beyond our control.

¶ 06 Due to external geopolitical pressures beyond our control, we are compelled to face difficulties. However, unlike the past—when the Treasury was emptied and those responsible fled—now the Treasury has money; the country has money. But there are supply chain issues. As a result, the problem now is securing supply. Therefore, we are examining all sectors across the country. A Member said that people have to stand in lines to obtain fuel. In my view, if we can designate proper points for them, that would solve it.

¶ 07 Together with the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and officials of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, we linked a special app to the QR Code. After linking, foreign tourists boarding vehicles at Katunayake—going to Kandy, Ella, Jaffna, Kataragama, Hikkaduwa, and returning to Katunayake—will have arrangements ensuring they can obtain fuel during their journey without standing in lines anywhere. People may speak out of ignorance, but solutions need planning; we cannot open the floodgates at once. When that was attempted recently, fuel consumption rose, as the Minister of Power and Energy explained, due to panic buying.

¶ 08 We used to supply 1,200 metric tons of LPG per day; now we have to supply up to 1,800 metric tons. Why? Because people refilled every cylinder at home. We cannot blame them, but that is the situation. The President stated then that our storage tanks hold gas for eight days. Do not ask why we did not build a storage tank within a year; for 78 years we had storage for six days. That is the structural issue. Therefore, we called tenders at the beginning of this year for LPG supply. Our monthly demand is 32,000 metric tons; we have arranged for 38,000 metric tons. As of now, Litro has already imported 24,500 metric tons. A ship arrives on March 21, another on the 23rd, and another on the 25th—totaling 38,000 metric tons.

¶ 09 Furthermore, we must ensure next month’s supplies. A mother vessel of 38,000 metric tons has already departed toward the Maldives. In addition, a 33,000-metric-ton vessel scheduled for the 21st of next month has departed from Argentina, as informed at noon today during the meeting at the Presidential Secretariat. Therefore, there is no issue about LPG supply. We also ask the public not to panic buy. However, LAUGFS has raised supply issues; while the Government is ready to extend relief, their lack of a continuous procurement plan is the reason. Even so, we will ensure more cylinders and gas enter the market.

¶ 10 On the coal tender: Yes, as per the agreement, if there is a shortfall in energy generation due to coal quality issues during combustion, up to 10 percent can be deducted. If two vessels fail, the contract can be canceled. Given the situation, as you noted, the same company tried to submit a higher price the second time—such tenders cannot be accepted. We compared the bid prices with global market prices, premiums, and supplier costs; the arrived-at price was 42. We awarded to the second-placed of the new set of six bidders who came forward, because the first rejected issuance of the SCO and thereby violated tender conditions. We must procure to ensure uninterrupted power generation.

¶ 11 We cannot run tenders emotionally; they must be administered per conditions, or the second bidder will sue. As a Government, we act responsibly.

¶ 12 I will conclude with this: In this House, some said without naming Minister Bimal Rathnayake that “he lied.” If so, file cases. They continue to circulate false stories about 323 containers; this House has clarified sufficiently. The Opposition appointed a committee—if you can, use it to prove wrongdoing. Do not misuse parliamentary privilege to utter baseless allegations when the relevant Ministers are absent. That has become the Opposition’s style.

¶ 13 Given today’s realities, without crippling any production industry—especially food production—this Government is continuously making decisions to sustain people’s lives amid global war impacts. We are also strengthening the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption by providing required remuneration, to investigate thefts, frauds, and corruption committed using past governmental powers by politicians and officials, and we are committed to take the country forward from where it had fallen. I invite the Opposition to join hands for this purpose, and with that, I conclude.

¶ 14 Thank you.