Hon. Sudath Balagalla

¶ 01 We are bringing in investment 6060206662. Who? A local investor. A 200-acre passion fruit plantation, 200 acres of other fruit, totaling 650 acres under cultivation. The remaining lands will go to other industries. Hon. Deputy Speaker, we will start operations at that Satchcha farm in 2026 with 2,500 direct jobs. This was land that lay fallow for 20-30 years.

¶ 02 Hon. Deputy Speaker, there was a so-called “sandalwood plantation land.” Some people under political patronage were operating there; it was 130 acres. We are allocating 100 acres from that land in one-acre lots to married farmers without irrigable land. The remaining 30 acres we are giving to an investor who will build a fruit processing factory, and farmers will cultivate fruit. We are making arrangements to export all that fruit. Our aim is to create farmers who earn dollars. We are moving toward that goal, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

¶ 03 In Mahiyanganaya, there was land 6860328064 used for turmeric. For some time, politicians partitioned the land; there are 5008 acres there. We are bringing a good investor for that. Rideemaliyadda is one of the poorest Divisional Secretariat divisions in Sri Lanka. We are attracting new investors. Hon. Deputy Speaker, it has only been a year since we came to power. We started these works within that year.

¶ 04 Everyone knows the Mahiyanganaya, Vevachaththa, Dambana area is extremely difficult. There was hardly any industry. We have planned, in 2026, to build the Pullgasyaya tank. A considerable sum will be spent. Once that tank is built, we can fill the downstream Bakinigahulpata tank, Gonoluwa tank, and Mewanthe tank. Farmers who managed only one maha season with rain-fed cultivation will be able to do both seasons; we will make it fertile land. We will bring life back to lands cracked by drought. This is the plan we have, Hon. Members of the Opposition.

¶ 05 Also, Mahiyanganaya had a weekly fair for years. It was the second-highest revenue market in Uva Province, but it never had a permanent location. In 2026, in a short time, we will build a strong market to accommodate 1,000 vendors, generating good revenue for the Pradeshiya Sabha. Mahiyanganaya had a brick factory, but not a single brick was produced; it was abandoned. Hon. Chamara Sampath knows what happened to the Mahiyanganaya brick factory. We are bringing new investment there. We have prepared a plan integrating agriculture and other industries for a good path forward, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

¶ 06 As we take these actions, a question arises as to how we are doing so well. The Opposition asks how a house can be built for Rs. 1 million. Why do they ignore voluntary labor? Last year, we built 55 houses; I have said this before. A house worth about Rs. 2.5 million was built for Rs. 1 million. This year we are building houses in all 77 Grama Niladhari divisions using voluntary labor and people’s support.

¶ 07 The Opposition says that though funds were allocated, no work was done. We say 2026 is truly the year the National People’s Power can deliver. All our MPs are ready, on the ground, to work. We request the Opposition: if we are to rebuild this country, we must go to a production economy. That means not only industry but also adding new value to agricultural produce. Come a little towards Mahiyanganaya. Pepper is not widely cultivated there, but Mahiyanganaya is a major collection point for pepper. We have a very good entrepreneur who exports pepper in five grades, bringing about USD 25 million to the Mahiyanganaya electorate. That’s not easy. After enabling people with new industries, familiarizing them with new products, and adding value to agri-industry, we believe we can take our country to a better place.

¶ 08 Hon. Deputy Speaker, at this moment, unfortunately, our country faces a disaster situation. We believe the National People’s Power can manage this well. Why do I say this? Even when you governed, we went to villages like the “Red Star” movement. I recall at one time the Ratnapura, Ayagama school was ordered closed for a month by the Zonal Director. But we from Badulla District rushed to Ayagama and restored the school in two weeks. During the tsunami too, we all joined the work. I served in Kirinda, Hambantota District; for 40 days we poured voluntary labor. We have such a volunteer force. We will take our volunteer labor to rebuild places destroyed by this disaster. Now, a government is in power that values vast volunteer labor. Therefore, we tell Hon. Members of the Opposition, please rethink about us. You once thought you cannot be an MP without a vehicle permit; you thought an official residence was essential; you thought you needed a police guard; someone to open your vehicle door; someone to hold your bag. Not so. We have planted a political culture beyond that. Not a state official who stands when you arrive, but one who respects you from the heart—this is what we are building. Some take small words out of context and sling mud at us. No problem. You thought of an outdated culture; we will build a progressive one within four years. Therefore, let us all unite to build the country. What we have to win is this country—nothing else. So we make a heartfelt appeal to the Opposition: support us on this journey. I conclude.

¶ 09 Thank you very much.