The Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, I am pleased to join the debate on the Regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act.

¶ 02 On rice imports: Sri Lanka has domestic paddy production capacity, and Paddy Marketing Board warehouses are holding stocks. In this context, granting an import licence to a private individual for 1,040 metric tons of Ponni rice could create distress among farmers who already face high fertilizer costs, elevated fuel prices, and increased labour charges. Without assured prices through the Paddy Marketing Board, farmers will be forced into hardship and may even abandon agriculture.

¶ 03 If, due to genuine domestic shortfalls, rice imports are unavoidable, the Government must manage them carefully to protect farmers — ensuring stable prices and orderly procurement. In Batticaloa District, of eight paddy stores, four already hold unsold paddy. With the next harvest approaching, if the Board cannot purchase at fair prices, farmers will suffer a severe crisis. Therefore, policy must prioritize domestic production and farmer livelihoods, especially as imports require scarce foreign exchange while the dollar has risen to about Rs. 354. Poor management risks deeper crises for agriculture-dependent communities.

¶ 04 Separately, last week’s Mullivaikkal Remembrance was observed. Though there was some relaxation compared to prior years, difficulties were still encountered in several locations. Families of those killed at Mullivaikkal have yet to receive justice. There has been no meaningful political initiative addressing the root causes of the conflict. I urge the Government to address these issues.

¶ 05 Yesterday, the Hon. President visited Batticaloa. We welcome the approvals granted for various development projects, including decisions regarding the Manthivu Prison and other infrastructure, and we thank the authorities. However, expectations remain unmet regarding a durable political solution for Tamil people, Provincial Council elections, and justice-related concerns — leading to disappointment.

¶ 06 The Government must pursue programmes that stabilize the economy fairly and learn from past crises. Due to the war, Tamil communities were long excluded from full participation in trade and economic life; instability has persisted. While anti-corruption and anti-narcotics efforts are appreciated, long-standing Tamil political and justice concerns remain unaddressed, causing deep frustration.

¶ 07 Regarding district development, our DDC Chair, Hon. Sunil Handunnetti, coordinated the President’s visit, resulting in approvals for several projects: reconstruction of bridges, reallocating land from the relocated prison site to the Batticaloa Teaching Hospital, and halting the transfer of detainees to Manthivu Prison — among others. We appreciate these responses.

¶ 08 Outstanding matters remain: removal of the STF camp at Thandiyadi and allocating the site for a Mullivaikkal Heroes’ memorial; resolving issues at Nediyakalmalai involving the Department of Archaeology; and addressing Forest Department objections to allocating Mayilathamadu/Madhavanai lands for local use. Firm decisions are needed.

¶ 09 Batticaloa’s economy critically depends on agriculture, fisheries, and livestock. For livestock, while the President has instructed release of about 1,500 acres of pasture promptly — which we welcome — that will not suffice for the total herd. We request an additional 3,000 acres via the Mahaweli Authority and further allocations from the Forest Department to support the sector.

¶ 10 Thank you.