The Hon. Sellaththamby Thilaganathan

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, Sri Lanka was once a very prosperous country. Later, politicians who ruled looted its resources and drove it to bankruptcy. The National People’s Power Government is now advancing to give the people of this country a beautiful and better life.

¶ 02 I am from Vanni District. Until 2009, people there lived prosperously. After 2009, politicians came and, under the guise of development, plundered resources overnight. Forests: now there are areas called forests without trees. River sand was looted day and night. Despite this ongoing plunder in Mannar and elsewhere, no action was taken. I wish to place this on record.

¶ 03 People of Vanni engaged in agriculture, animal husbandry and fishing. Those engaged in animal husbandry lacked facilities. Of Sri Lanka’s land area, 40% is allocated to agriculture, 30% to industry, and another 30% to forests and wildlife. Yet, in our areas, no land is allocated for grazing for livestock farmers.

¶ 04 A 500 ml bottle of water costs Rs. 90, but 500 ml of fresh milk is bought at Rs. 80, and a litre is sold at Rs. 480. Usually producers determine prices, but here that is not the case. If this continues, in future there will be no livestock sector in Sri Lanka. Most engaged in livestock are women-headed families.

¶ 05 In 1980, animal husbandry contributed 9% to national production; now it is about 1%. Why? Because rulers ignored this sector. Agriculture is now 7% of GDP. In India, under similar climate and conditions, livestock is 22% and agriculture 16%. The difference is because past rulers ignored domestic production and relied on imports. In Vanni, milk bars have been replaced by liquor bars. Grazing lands under tanks have been illegally used for cultivation with official connivance.

¶ 06 Sri Lankans consume on average 104 kg of rice per year. Though protein needs are high, people consume carbohydrate-heavy foods. By consuming livestock products, they can meet protein needs. Due to lack of pasture, cattle roam roads and public places at night, causing filth through dung and urine and spreading disease. Provide sufficient pasture to keep public spaces clean.

¶ 07 The Department of Animal Production and Health is in a poor state. Mullaitivu has around 89,000 livestock, but only five veterinarians. Five vets cannot provide proper care to 89,000 animals. Under our Government, we will rectify this and make the livestock sector flourish.

¶ 08 An Opposition Member mentioned errors in the A/L Biology paper. Similarly, in 2022, a competitive exam paper for graduates in Sinhala had around 20% errors.

¶ 09 The Co-operative Training School in Vavuniya has been under military use for months and years. In discussions, they assured us it would be released.

¶ 10 An Economic Centre built in Vavuniya during the Northern Provincial Council period remains closed. Our Government will open it to the public within months.

¶ 11 Mahaweli water has still not been provided to the Vanni region. Under our rule, we will bring that water to the North, creating prosperity and a beautiful life for the people there. I conclude.