The Hon. E.M. Basnayaka

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, thank you for the opportunity to speak on the Heads of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation. For 2026, Rs. 221,300 million is allocated for 24 institutions under this Ministry, including Rs. 131,300 million for capital expenditure. Given the current climatic situation, sectors under our Ministry have suffered the most damage, so a clarification before this Vote is timely. Across all districts, people have faced disasters due to climate change.

¶ 02 In Kandy District, people in every DS Division are affected. In the Ududumbara electorate, about 500 persons are currently displaced in seven camps; more than 20 houses have collapsed. Seventeen camps are set up across the district, based on information from about an hour ago. Access to the Ududumbara DS Division is cut off; roads are blocked; with fog and heavy rain, even aerial access is not feasible at present.

¶ 03 On this debate, looking at 2026 but within the 2025 Budget framework, Rs. 8,000 million was allocated for a strategic buffer stock of paddy, and Rs. 10,000 million in 2026 to maintain it. Rs. 5,500 million has been set aside for the Farmers’ Pension. Rs. 36,900 million is allocated for fertilizer subsidies—chemical and organic—aimed at increasing yields. The Mahaweli Authority’s agriculture and livestock programs receive Rs. 1,400 million for 2026. Crop insurance receives Rs. 1,800 million. For small canals, tanks and irrigation systems, Rs. 3,000 million is allocated to uplift the rural agricultural economy and production.

¶ 04 For livestock, Rs. 1,000 million is allocated to increase milk production; Rs. 3,000 million for improving breeding farms. We produce about 400 million liters of liquid milk annually, while our need is about 1,200 million liters. By 2030 we aim to meet 75 percent of demand domestically; hence increased allocations.

¶ 05 An Rs. 800 million sustainable agri-credit fund is established. We still lack adequate paddy drying machinery, causing problems purchasing wet paddy; Rs. 500 million is allocated for mechanized drying.

¶ 06 In Matale and Kandy, 100 small irrigation projects—minor tanks, canals—get Rs. 1,000 million for rehabilitation.

¶ 07 Another critical matter linked to agriculture is human–elephant conflict. Annually about 80 human deaths occur and around 260 elephants die. With current floods—particularly in Mahiyanganaya (Badulla) and Ududumbara (Kandy)—elephants too are stranded, causing additional damages; last night more than seven or eight houses were affected. The districts of Ampara, Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, Badulla and Kandy report heavy HEC incidence. To enhance the Department of Wildlife Conservation’s capacity, we are facilitating the procurement of 294 vehicles in 2026. For durable HEC mitigation measures, Rs. 1,000 million is allocated this year.

¶ 08 The Ministry’s subject scope is vast and touches every citizen—ensuring the basic need of food. I request the Opposition to assist, setting aside differences, to support affected people in these disasters. Thank you.