Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition

¶ 01 There are also Government MPs representing the Trincomalee District who, during the last election period, went to that area and very clearly declared that they would protect these cultivation lands. But those statements were made during the election. These cultivation lands are nourished by four tanks: Taharavettuvan Kulam, Kadalanchikulam, Sinnathaanakulam, and Muththunagar Kulam. State funds have been used to rehabilitate these four tanks. However, of those four, the Muththunagar Kulam tank has now been flattened; that is over.

¶ 02 Our question is this: How can 1,000 families, who have cultivated there for 53 years since 1972, on 800 acres, be evicted with one stroke of the pen to hand over these lands arbitrarily to two ventures to install a solar power plant and solar panels? As we understand, these lands were not allocated by following due process. What are those businessmen now doing? They have filed cases, had these people taken to the police, remanded, intimidated, and thereby rendered these 1,000 families helpless. The cultivation season begins in the coming month. A thousand farming families in this area are destitute.

¶ 03 We clearly say: provide compensation to those who lost their cultivation lands. Also, issue the necessary permits and approvals for the remaining lands. At the very least, provide alternative, fertile lands. Immediately stop this expropriation of farmers’ lands. Today, as we discuss imposing limits on companies, here is an example: companies are using financial power, underworld muscle, and every kind of power to act in this manner. I request all Government MPs representing Trincomalee District to clearly implement the necessary measures to protect these farming lands.

¶ 04 Hon. Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe, I did not interrupt you. Please give me a minute, Hon. Minister.

¶ 05 I also table the documents and newspapers relating to these lands, along with photographs. In fact, during harvest time, political authorities representing the Government, MPs, and the Additional GA went to these farming lands and blessed the harvest. That shows even Government MPs endorsed and undertook to protect these lands. But now these lands are being destroyed. As we debate a Bill to impose limits on companies, I wish to present one question to you: please think of the farmers and ensure justice. Do not misinterpret this as an act against renewable energy or solar power. It is not.

¶ 06 Please do not be agitated when I present this issue. Provide solutions and answers. This is an issue raised through the “Citizen’s Voice” programme. I respectfully request on behalf of the people of Trincomalee, especially the residents of the three villages of Taharavettuvan, Maththiyaveli, and Muththunagar, where some 1,000 farming families live. Hon. Deputy Speaker, I table the relevant documents.

¶ 07 Hon. Deputy Speaker, when that Government made those policy decisions, we were not party to them; we were the Opposition. Please understand that. Therefore, I especially ask at this moment: do not create a commotion when a question is raised. Provide solutions. Do not be excessively reactive. We are asking for solutions, not to make you uncomfortable. This is a problem faced by about 1,000 families.

¶ 08 Secondly, I wish to directly raise another matter with Hon. Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe. Recently, we visited the Thambuttegama Economic Centre because there was a large outcry from traders associated with that centre. We went to listen, to give them answers, and to examine the facts. As you know, there are about 18 economic centres in our country, of which 13 or 14 operate actively. I now present to you the issues raised by their traders’ associations. We expect solutions, not agitation.

¶ 09 These economic centres are presently managed under a committee-type arrangement—by the District Secretary, Divisional Secretary, and the Secretary to the local authority with a distinct administrative set-up. Now there is significant concern among traders at these centres about changing that administrative structure and handing it to a private company/management. At the active centres alone, assets amount to roughly Rs. 6 billion. Do not be agitated; I will finish and you can respond.

¶ 10 Hon. Minister, if there are shortcomings, please respond—no issue. Our duty is to bring the people’s issues here and find solutions. That is not a wrong. Therefore, please do not be agitated.

¶ 11 We are told by traders and farmers that some Rs. 6 billion worth of assets exist across 13 or 14 active economic centres. Do you know their main fear? Arbitrary transfer of state assets and lands to a private company. They have developed these assets over 22 years. I am speaking particularly about the Thambuttegama Economic Centre. It is to be given on a 33-year lease with the possibility to sub-lease to other parties. You know the agriculture marketing network—from seed packets, to fertilizer, to agrochemicals—this network starts by supporting farmers with inputs. In truth, it is not a burden to the State. The fear among the people is that, without a proper consultative process involving all stakeholders, a Cabinet paper has been brought and approved.

¶ 12 Stakeholders expect you to provide a clear, written assurance. By raising this here and receiving a proper response from you into the Hansard, we can create confidence among them. Even if you smile, these are the views of traders and businesspeople. Therefore, please pay attention.

¶ 13 I especially wish to know: which economic centres are active and what is the total value of their assets? Please present a report to this House. Also present the annual income and expenditure reports of these centres. Based on those reports, you can draw conclusions about existing management. Is this change proposed because the current management has failed? We expect your answers. Otherwise, what is the purpose of presenting a Cabinet paper to incorporate a company limited by guarantee to manage the specific economic centres? What is the rationale and the basis? Is there a business plan behind this? Under this proposal, has a private company already been selected to take over the management of these economic centres? If so, what is its name, registration number, and date of registration? By what selection method was it chosen? Was there an open tender? If so, will details of applicants be furnished to this House? If the private company assigned fails commercially, what legal safeguards exist for the State to take back the assets?

¶ 14 Regarding the proposed transfer of 14 economic centres to a private company—Hon. Minister, you said 14—will you conduct a formal consultation with farmers’ organisations, traders’ associations, people’s representatives, and other stakeholders?

¶ 15 Please do not be agitated. Give me another minute to conclude. These questions were raised during discussions with farmers, traders, and various groups in your own area of influence. Therefore, your responsibility is to bring all these groups together, have an open dialogue, clarify the process, and transparently explain the outcomes for the people—whether positive or negative. Do not be agitated. If you can win the hearts of traders and farmers by implementing this as a well-intentioned programme, the issue ends there. But their feeling now is that the specific economic centres are being wholly handed to a private company. The reason is the lack of a proper consultative process with stakeholders.

¶ 16 At a time we are imposing limits on companies, I raised both the Muththunagar land issue and the Thambuttegama economic centre issue in good faith, expecting answers from you and solutions for the people. I hope you will be able to provide people-friendly, democratic solutions, with wisdom prevailing.

¶ 17 Thank you.