The Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, thank you for the opportunity.

¶ 02 This Ministry’s Vote covers a wide range; it is a Ministry that can change the country’s trajectory. Therefore, first, we need a national plan—covering the entire agriculture and irrigation sectors—for this Parliament to adopt. If you can table such a plan, it would be excellent. In 2015 I too worked as a Deputy Minister relating to Mahaweli. From 2015 through 2019, 2022 and 2024, we worked on Moragahakanda, the North Central Canal and North Western Canal. After the accelerated Mahaweli, certain projects were completed, but beyond that, we now need feasibility for carrying water from Hurulu Wewa to Iranamadu, for example. After a comprehensive plan is finalized, Parliament must approve the next steps.

¶ 03 Different Ministers have tried different self-sufficiency drives—chili one time, then other crops—only for two or three years; when the Minister changes, officials and plans also change. You still have time; take responsibility and bring a sustained plan. I read there are 13 items you intend to make fully import-substitution. But it is not enough that it’s in your head or your officials’ heads; establish it as a national plan approved by Parliament. Otherwise every few years we just talk.

¶ 04 Second: in 1950, rice production was 185,000 MT and imports 482,000 MT. By 2024, we produced 4,698,000 MT and imported about 131,000 MT. So from 185,000 to 4.7 million is an achievement; imports reduced significantly. So, despite talk of a 75-year curse, there has been progress. But to go further needs a proper plan; in the past 12 months we have not seen a comprehensive plan brought to this House.

¶ 05 The National Institute of Post-Harvest Management’s 2021 report states: if fruit and vegetable post-harvest losses are reduced by 10 percent, we could save Rs. 5.8 billion (Rs. 58 billion). Hector Kobbekaduwa Institute notes fruit losses are 20–40 percent and vegetables 20–46 percent. What measures have been taken? I have also spoken on wild animal damage; Minister, you stated what should be done, yet constraints persist. Despite NGO narratives, we must act decisively—today not even a coconut remains on trees in some areas. Without a proper management plan, we cannot stop this destruction. You allocated Rs. 250 million for Dambulla Cold Storage, after an earlier Rs. 500 million build which still doesn’t function though ceremonially opened. If we operationalize it properly, we can reduce post-harvest losses significantly. When Hon. Harsha de Silva was in office, he intervened strongly; please expedite it now.

¶ 06 To the Deputy Minister present: what is the progress of the elephant and wild animal census? What practical outputs resulted? On the ground, people say no monkeys were controlled, no island relocations done, and no relief reached farmers.

¶ 07 One Government MP said this could even change Governments—indeed, these issues contributed to our Governments’ defeats. This is not about Government vs Opposition; we must find practical solutions.

¶ 08 On the North Central and North Western Canals: funded by ADB for climate adaptation, the 96 km NCP Canal tunnel has completed about 24 km of 27 km; the NWP Canal is 94 km and will proceed once the $2,103 million loan is secured. Please finalize agreements quickly so ADB funds flow. Some projects in Sri Lanka have been implemented for years without benefits; mistakes on our side may have contributed. But these canals will feed around 1,200 minor tanks, bringing vast acreage into cultivation and immediate economic benefits. We spoke of these in 2015 too; since you are pursuing them now, please add maximum momentum.

¶ 09 However, unless you also develop the 1,200 minor tanks that the canals will feed, the larger canal projects won’t achieve full impact. In the past we selected 5,000 tanks nationwide and rehabilitated around 1,700. Now, parallel to the canals, you must have a program to rehabilitate those minor tanks; otherwise water won’t reach farmers as needed, nor flow to Hurulu or Iranamadu as planned. We did not see such a program or allocation in this Budget.

¶ 10 The Department of Agrarian Development, even with allocations, struggles to maintain existing canals; the Department of Irrigation has some funds, but without a dedicated Ministry-level program and funds for minor tanks, the canal projects won’t deliver downstream outcomes. Hence, again, a national, integrated plan is needed.

¶ 11 Looking at the 2025 Budget Progress Report (p. 30): Rs. 500 million allocated for youth entrepreneurship in agriculture—progress 0%. For export agriculture crop promotion—Rs. 100 million allocated; progress 0.4%. For coconut—Rs. 600 million allocated; Rs. 299 million spent—about 50% progress. But if Rs. 500 million for entrepreneurship shows 0% while we speak of an Rs. 80 billion SME credit scheme, there is a contradiction. If we confine ourselves to paperwork, in December 2026 we will repeat the same statistics. Please address this seriously.

¶ 12 On land titles: the “Urumaya” program collected documents and surveys; only about 30,000 deeds were issued while many more are pending. The Land Commissioner General sent a circular only in October, after ten months of inaction—neither issuing “Urumaya” nor “Himikama” (freehold) deeds. For those surveyed and processed, deeds could have been prepared under the old name and later released under the new name after rebranding. It is already the 11th month; people have neither. Please expedite issuance—names can change, but deeds must reach people quickly.

¶ 13 Finally, on the disaster situation: in Kandy District, we need to urgently formulate and implement a land use plan. In the hill country, many families live on LRC and JEDB lands; they must be relocated to safe lands with housing. Beyond Kandy, the country needs a proper land use plan—where to cultivate, where to settle—with implementation accordingly. Thank you.