The Hon. (Dr.) Sellaththamby Thilaganathan

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I am pleased to participate in today’s Committee Stage debate on the allocation to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock Resources, Lands and Irrigation in the 2026 Budget.

¶ 02 Sri Lanka is an agricultural country. Those who truly should live comfortably here are the farmers. Yet, past governments failed to prioritize agriculture and livestock, causing untold hardship to farmers. Our Government has initiated many schemes for farmers. In the Vanni I represent, numerous development projects are underway. In Vavuniya, Mannar and Mullaitivu there are issues of drinking water scarcity and irrigation water shortages for cultivation. To address these, under a Rs. 6 billion allocation, the Paliyaaru reservoir project will commence next year.

¶ 03 Like the floods this year in many parts of the country, Mannar experiences flooding every year. Implementing the Paliyaaru reservoir will meet drinking water needs in Mannar and Jaffna and supply water to many minor tanks within Mannar. Lands near the reservoir will be developed as pasture for livestock.

¶ 04 Likewise, the Lower Malwathu Oya project will start next year with an allocation of Rs. 5 billion. When completed, paddy fields below the Kattukarai tank in Mannar will be able to cultivate in two seasons. By implementing these projects efficiently, we can create a better future for our people.

¶ 05 In the past, livestock rearers used the command areas below Kattukarai tank as pasture. But in recent years, with some officials’ collusion, those lands have been apportioned for cultivation, causing a severe pasture shortage in Nanattan. Under the Government’s Clean Sri Lanka program, the command areas are now being demarcated. After demarcation, these lands will be used for livestock development.

¶ 06 Next year, the Kivul Oya reservoir project will commence at a cost of Rs. 25,000 million. This will meet irrigation water needs for farmers in Nedunkeni and Welioya areas and provide drinking water for Nedunkeni and surrounding regions. In Nedunkeni and adjacent areas, groundwater is unsuitable and associated with kidney disease. Our Government will implement a good plan to supply drinking water there, and also meet irrigation needs in Vavuniya and Mullaitivu. Significant allocations have been made for the rehabilitation of Muthaiyan Thannimurippu, Kattu Tank, Vavunikulam and Kattukarai tanks.

¶ 07 In 2012, many farmlands in Vavuniya, Mannar and Mullaitivu were brought under the Forest Department through the Mahaweli system. Our Government will gradually release those lands back to the farmers considering the future.

¶ 08 Milco was running heavy losses in the past. After our Government assumed office, this year the company recorded a profit of Rs. 1.25 billion, of which Rs. 165 million will be distributed as profit share to dairy farmers. Sri Lanka produces about one million litres of milk per day. The Government plans to increase this to three million litres by introducing the “dairy products” program in every district next year. Through it, dairy farmers producing around 10 litres per day will be given required inputs on subsidy; those producing over 20 litres will receive inputs and finance support. NLDB government farms will receive Rs. 1 billion annually to function effectively.

¶ 09 In Batticaloa district, in the Mayilathamadu–Mathavani area, livestock farmers have struggled nearly 700 days for pasture. Of the 3,000 acres they seek, 1,400 acres under the Mahaweli scheme will soon be released for pasture, and the remaining 1,600 acres will be released gradually. This will enable better livelihoods and a brighter future for those livestock farmers.

¶ 10 Please give me one more minute.

¶ 11 Due to the past war, our districts of Mannar, Vavuniya and Mullaitivu suffered greatly. In the coming year, the Government will undertake various development projects in the areas around Vavuniya city. With that, I conclude. Thank you.