The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Yes, during the period without fertilizer. But there was also a fertilizer subsidy, Hon. Deputy Minister. Only for one season was chemical fertilizer not given; for two seasons it was given. Even then, Rs. 154 per kilo was the figure. Today it has fallen to Rs. 120. If we can raise it to Rs. 130–135 per kilo now, it will be fair by the farmer.

¶ 02 You have allocated Rs. 5 billion to purchase paddy. With that you can buy about 41,000 metric tons at around Rs. 120 per kilo. But we see you are always grappling with millers. The President says there is no such mafia, but at times you accept there is. With Rs. 5 billion and 41,000 MT, how will the Government meaningfully intervene to control prices? Blaming each other serves no purpose. The Government also seeks to increase revenue and, going with IMF regulations, the easiest way to show revenue is to import rice and levy Rs. 65 duty, which increases Government revenue; the same applied to vegetables and fruits. But then there is an issue with farmer incomes. That must be addressed.

¶ 03 In 2023 and 2024, the Government allocated Rs. 50–54 billion for fertilizer. Now you have allocated Rs. 35 billion. Hon. Deputy Chairperson, with Rs. 35 billion, how will you distribute fairly among farmers? We must admit that from 2005 onwards we increased harvests and farmer incomes, but we lagged in technology adoption. Today you have the opportunity. We need soil testing. Institutions like SLINTEC under the Ministry of Science and Technology already conduct tests; implement that. Then fertilizer can be given in quantities required by the specific soil, making Rs. 35 billion manageable, and aim for higher yields from existing land.

¶ 04 Countries like Vietnam produce rice efficiently. We need technological transformation and must bind together Government, private sector and farmers. We will not instigate protests if it benefits farmers. Engage with farmers and State institutions to embed technology—polytunnels, drip irrigation—requiring capital. If budget constraints limit capital, strengthen cooperative and rural banks and active credit systems to provide needed relief and financing for technology adoption.

¶ 05 Although not directly related to this subject, I must mention—while the Minister in charge is absent—the issue regarding Police quarters. Officers who have lived in quarters for over eight years are being asked to vacate within six months. Their children are in schools; there are around 1,500 such houses. While we cannot oppose Government policy, please allow a practical timeframe rather than rushing like the fertilizer policy under Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

¶ 06 There is also an issue at the German Technical College; as this is under the Hon. Prime Minister, I believe she will intervene. Finally, I wish both sides well. On the 15th, count the monkeys, porcupines and langurs properly. We too will give our fullest support. We will also count the monkeys, porcupines and birds in our estates and send you a note.

¶ 07 Thank you.