The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

¶ 02 In the last Maha season we procured 4,000 MT of paddy; in the Yala season 50,000 MT. For that we had to call tenders—both the Paddy Marketing Board and Sathosa procure paddy. To ensure continuous market supply of quality rice, we split stocks and issued a services tender to mill 20,000 MT. We opened that tender yesterday; four bidders submitted. They are now before the Technical Evaluation Committee. Small and medium millers also asked to be given quotas. Out of 50,000 MT, the tender is for 20,000 MT, yet outside narratives claim we plan to give 50,000 MT, which is false. We also planned a mechanism to allocate 20,000 MT to small and medium millers through co-operatives, with rotations—giving them paddy in exchange for rice, based on submitted quotations. I have quotations from the Mahawa Co-operative Union of Rice Producers (dated 2025-09-17) and from the North Central Province Small and Medium Rice Millers’ Association. The service tender is for 20,000 MT; a further 20,000 MT is to be allocated to SMEs through rotation—deliver rice to our stores and receive paddy value released from our stocks.

¶ 03 Claims that the service tender was restricted to “big players” are baseless. A capacity cited—5 kg per hour being 15,000 per day—means 15 tons per day; with 20 working hours, 15 tons; per month about 7,500 tons. To mill 20,000 tons would require three months. If we chose a single miller, they would need that capacity; otherwise they would not qualify. We are proceeding strictly per criteria.

¶ 04 I also saw comments yesterday about the WTO Trade Policy Review in Geneva from the 14th to 17th—three days. The Department of Commerce, Ministry of Finance, Central Bank, Sri Lanka Customs, BOI and others participate. It is not a tour. Before going, 245 questions have already been sent regarding Sri Lanka’s trade policies; officials must answer them in those three days and set up a point of contact. These are technical discussions; if they are unsatisfied with our answers, they will continue engagement. Therefore, speaking carelessly without understanding such processes is wrong. Some Opposition social media have shared claims to show our actions as weak. We will take legal action over such misrepresentations. We conduct necessary tasks at home and abroad with competence. It may be difficult for some in the Opposition; that’s how it is. Hon. Amila Prasad said this is their job; that is fine.

¶ 05 This is a good opportunity to look back at the government. Since this Adjournment Motion asks what the Government has done over the past year, I thank you for the time. We have set things in order and accomplished much; we will continue successfully with the people in the coming years. People around the world are joining hands with our journey to build a country where people can live happily. The Opposition too has remembered that by bringing this Motion. Thank you again for the time.