The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, first I must clarify a matter with the Hon. Prime Minister, Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Training. Yesterday, Ceylon Today carried a headline: “MP V. Radhakrishnan urges Government to bring Indian teachers.” I did not say that. I said that in 2017 when there was an attempt to bring Indian teachers, the JVP opposed it, so we did not bring them. That is all I said. The paper states I requested the Government to bring them; that is false. Many YouTube channels are attacking me; that is not my issue.

¶ 02 As a farmer myself, I wish to raise some points on the Agriculture Ministry debate. We must think also about the Upcountry farmers. Please come to the Upcountry—Nuwara Eliya is the only area cultivating vegetables 365 days a year. Look into the problems there. Especially, during the local potato harvesting season, imports are brought in; the previous Government did that for commissions. We hope this Government will not do that but will think of farmers. When carrots are sold at Rs. 800 in Nuwara Eliya, by the time they reach Colombo it becomes Rs. 1,000. How will people eat and cook? The Department of Agriculture is not managing this properly. If more carrot seed is sold, carrot prices will fall; if seed is not available, prices rise. Or there may be climatic issues. Please manage these matters properly.

¶ 03 Next, give farmers facilities to check pH and do soil tests. This is not done in the Upcountry—neither in Badulla nor Nuwara Eliya, nor in Welimada. Please consider this.

¶ 04 I am not blaming you; you have been in Government only four to five months. We can blame the previous Government for stopping chemical fertilizer imports overnight; we suffered severely. Please consider and act.

¶ 05 It costs about Rs. 200 to produce a kilo of potatoes. Farmers get a profit only if sold at Rs. 250 per kilo, and even then only with yields above 5–6 percent; otherwise, it is a loss. During April–June, please stop or tax imports to the maximum. We await your actions.

¶ 06 In Nuwara Eliya, additional income comes from small livestock—poultry and cattle. Previously, common sheds were built because individuals could not afford them, and cattle were provided. Please look into facilitating such common sheds again. Without additional income, their economic condition declines.

¶ 07 In Tamil: In Nuwara Eliya District, areas like Maskeliya and Bogawantalawa produce much milk, but there are too few veterinary surgeons; services are insufficient. Please fill vacancies and provide necessary support to increase milk production. Also, in Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Welimada, where farming is done 365 days a year, please take action to resolve farmers’ issues.

¶ 08 Last week, regarding the incident on the bus to Hatton, I thank Hon. Minister Bimal Rathnayake for immediate action—suspending the officer and having him apologize to the student. That shows magnanimity; we appreciate it. Because the student recorded and posted the video on social media, the issue was resolved; we thank the student too. I will speak further when time permits. Thank you.