The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, today we have for the Second Reading the Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill; regulations under the Convention Against Doping in Sports Act, No. 33 of 2013; a regulation under the Strategic Development Projects Act, No. 14 of 2008; and rules under the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act, No. 16 of 2023.

¶ 02 On this day of debate, certain elements of the so-called “small opposition” continue spreading wrong information and false narratives among the people. The Government has responded day by day to the mudslinging against it.

¶ 03 I will not name Members who previously spoke in the Opposition, but one claimed “they are shivering” referring to Government ranks. When a global war situation imposed hardship on our people, this Government took on the challenge, provided relief, and overcame it—contrary to those claims. When their lies are exposed before society, it is they who are shivering.

¶ 04 By end-2025 we faced a serious natural disaster. The Government managed it well in a short time. Now we face challenges from the current situation as well, which we are also managing.

¶ 05 I want to focus on the relief package explained by the President today. In particular, I want to speak about the relief given to our farming community. Amid a war-like situation, we face constraints on fuel and energy. We are managing the power situation and discussing how to proceed despite fuel constraints.

¶ 06 A key issue is ensuring food production for almost 22 million people, done by our farmers. The Yala season has begun in many places. Farmers faced a problem obtaining fuel to plough fields and harvest. The Government intervened and resolved it, enabling cultivation and harvesting to proceed.

¶ 07 The next issue is fertilizer. The Minister of Agriculture, Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha, the State Ministers, fertilizer-supplying companies, and the National Fertilizer Secretariat came together and decided to distribute fertilizer through Agrarian Service Centres. We are implementing this. For this season, we estimate needs of: 125,000 MT urea, 19,000 MT TSP, and 38,000 MT MOP. Currently in stock: 60,000 MT urea, 28,000 MT TSP, and 26,500 MT MOP. A 25,000 MT urea consignment has arrived at port. We ask farmers not to fear—commence cultivation. Fertilizer for Yala will be supplied without issue through the Department of Agrarian Development across all 25 districts. The Opposition tries to frighten farmers every day; by April they even drag in the President with such claims. Do not be misled.

¶ 08 There is now public chatter: who is the real Opposition Leader? The current Opposition Leader’s authority has been fractured even within his own camp.

¶ 09 If this “small opposition” tries to scare farmers and stop cultivation, do not be afraid. We ask farmers to proceed boldly. The Government will continue intervening to ensure the country’s food needs and provide necessary facilities. Let us cultivate without fear. I conclude, thanking the Chair for the opportunity.