The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I wish to speak on today’s adjournment debate on the impact of the current global crisis on our domestic economy.

¶ 02 This morning, regarding the housing scheme issue, the Hon. State Minister pledged to complete the scheme; I insist that it must be implemented. Many ordinary families without alternatives have suffered; many are struggling to service loans.

¶ 03 On fuel and gas shortages: in Vanni, there are long queues at every filling station. People fear shortages of food and fuel. In the meantime, due to middlemen, mafia-like hoarding and overpricing of fuel are occurring.

¶ 04 The President held two meetings today—after his address to Parliament, he met party leaders. The Government says the situation can be managed to some extent. It is good that the President addressed the people.

¶ 05 In Vanni, two major communities—farmers and fishermen—are most affected. With the QR system, fishermen receive limited kerosene/petrol allocations (20–25 liters), allowing only short-range trips, but they must go long distances for catch; their livelihoods are thus hit. Among farmers, attention is focused on paddy; home-garden/plantation farmers struggle to obtain fuel.

¶ 06 I propose that, when farmer organizations submit letters, they receive priority for fuel; similarly, fishermen’s organizations should receive priority upon letters—this I conveyed to the President.

¶ 07 Declaring Wednesday a public holiday to save fuel may help, but daily wage earners will lose income while salaried officers are paid. When we raised this with the President, he accepted that vulnerable groups must be considered. Decisions should avoid harming any community; the Government should take this into account.

¶ 08 We produce no fuel domestically; we depend on imports. I suggest entering into an arrangement with nearby India to ensure uninterrupted supply of petrol and diesel; if India, our neighbor supporting Sri Lanka, can supply fuel and essential foods reliably, we will avoid such crises. Thank you.