The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, please give me one minute!

¶ 02 Those engaged in the palmyrah-based cottage industry do not know what to do with their products and are struggling. There is high demand overseas for palmyrah-based foods and craft items. People abroad prefer palmyrah products. For example, items woven from palmyrah leaves, such as bags, can be sold at good prices and earn foreign exchange. Therefore, I request the Hon. Minister to pay attention to this. In the North, including Jaffna and across our Vanni region, ordinary cottage industry workers do not know what to do with their products and are in distress.

¶ 03 If the Government facilitates exporting these products at good prices, higher incomes can be earned. Further, those engaged in palmyrah-related crafts are affected by prohibitions on cutting mature palmyrah trees, and they are suffering economically. I ask that this matter too be considered.

¶ 04 Hon. Presiding Member, I must also raise another important matter. There was a time when human lives were not valued and killings took place on the streets—we saw it with our own eyes. Now that such incidents no longer occur, are we giving more priority to animals than to humans? If the Government does not act to control the proliferation of monkeys, we will end up having to import many goods from abroad. Think carefully whether we are prioritizing monkeys or humans! Today many farmers are affected by monkeys and cannot continue their livelihood. Elephant populations are also increasing.

¶ 05 I read in a newspaper that the Government plans to conduct a monkey census. This sounds absurd. With no proper technology in place, how will such a count be conducted? If you intend to export monkeys, then do so; otherwise create conditions for people to live. If the country is to grow economically, the monkey population must be controlled. Otherwise, in the North and East, our farmers will be pushed into a state where they cannot carry out their work. Therefore, I request you to take this seriously.

¶ 06 Next, today we are importing fruits. If we import the seeds of the fruit varieties produced overseas and cultivate them here, we can produce those fruits domestically and then export them to improve our economy. I also note that when the Government fixes prices for essential items, only SATHOSA often follows those prices; other shop owners do not reduce prices accordingly. Immediate action is needed to ensure that when the Government fixes prices, not only SATHOSA but all retailers sell at those prices. Only then will ordinary people benefit. The Government must not only set controlled prices, but also ensure implementation.

¶ 07 Finally, some people are spreading false rumors about me on Facebook. I wish to say to them: tell the truth to the Police or the relevant authorities. Let the law take its course; let the law do its duty. Do not simply engage in idle talk. Thank you for the opportunity. I take my leave.