The Hon. B. Ariyawansha

¶ 01 Madam Presiding Member, today we hold the Second Reading debate on the Companies (Amendment) Bill presented by the Minister of Trade. Much has been discussed. Our country lost many opportunities to earn foreign exchange; farmers lost potential benefits. For example, caraway from Indonesia came here and was re-exported, harming our farmers. Similarly, pepper from Vietnam was brought and re-exported, devastating our pepper farmers. We are happy this Bill will correct such situations to ensure fairness to our farmers. Pepper exports now earn significant forex. Yet this year’s harvest has drastically fallen—to about 10,000 metric tons from around 90,000 previously. In Ratnapura District—Kolonna, Embilipitiya, Godakawela—and in Matara, Monaragala, Kandy, Matale, many depend on pepper income. With harvest failure, they are in distress.

¶ 02 Through Agricultural and Export Development institutions, with guidance and new technology—fertilizer and agro-chemicals—we should help increase yields. Countries like Vietnam have methods to boost pepper harvests; let us transfer that know-how. This is a major opportunity for dollar earnings; however, neither past nor present governments have given due attention. Hon. Namal Karunaratne engaged with these farmers; we too supported. I request special attention and a program to assist pepper farmers. Thank you for the time.