The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC

¶ 01 Did the time finish so fast? You are giving me two minutes? Thank you very much.

¶ 02 So, I fear that people might rush and register all of these suddenly. Therefore, before implementing these regulations, I request that small-scale producers be convened. I do not say this idly. There are varied industries around Maruthamunai; there are palms in Jaffna. In 1970–77, we would go to a particular place in Bambalapitiya and buy those items. When I go to Jaffna Courts, my relations ask me to bring such things from Valvettithurai.

¶ 03 Because some regions are famed for certain items. There are products unique to our country and to specific areas. We must give producers an opportunity to register them in their own name. You must bring in an awareness programme. Even here, many do not understand its importance. Therefore, I respectfully request all in this House to prepare a special programme on this. I know your Government is working hard on this. So, please provide opportunities to those engaged in local industries in respective regions. Take Valaichchenai Paper Mill: earlier, all straw from our fields went there. Now it does not. After harvesting, hay went there. That is unique to Valaichchenai Paper Mill. For such products, in the Middle East, every supermarket has separate counters for each country’s specialities. We too have a stall in the global village. So, let us be keen and make use of this opportunity.

¶ 04 Another thing: there must be a simple legal aid system for registration. Hon. Girunie Wijesinghe too knows this: entrepreneurs cannot bring products to Colombo and register; it costs over Rs. 45,000. I saw the form. They cannot afford it. Therefore, for six months at least, prepare a special initial programme, and monitor it. Otherwise, forgeries will emerge. Then “Tissamaharama kiri” will be sold even on adulterated milk products. Now, I will wind up. In the application form, there is a problem. I wanted to discuss it with the Minister of Justice and National Integration. There is no procedure to supervise whether the business actually sources the product from that place. They will register and later make “Tissamaharama kiri” in Colombo. I draw your attention to this and conclude. Thank you.