The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam

¶ 01 Thank you for the opportunity, Hon. Deputy Chairperson.

¶ 02 On issues in our area relating to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock Resources, Lands and Irrigation: The Hon. Deputy Minister stated every inch of land should be used for economic development. We agree—national assets must serve national development, especially a productive economy.

¶ 03 In Vavuniya District and the Vanni, when war-displaced people resettled, government departments had placed boundary stones across large extents of their farmlands, preventing cultivation—particularly the Forest and Wildlife Departments. Thus, many previously used lands are now unusable. Hon. Minister, please act to release these farmlands back to the people. Also, due to boundary stones, small irrigation tanks previously used by people are now inaccessible.

¶ 04 In our areas, many small tanks have not been desilted or repaired for over 30 years and are now “breached tanks” that cannot retain water. This Budget allocates funds to repair many agricultural tanks. We can submit a list of tanks needing repair; please act to restore them to increase national production.

¶ 05 Another point: in Mullaitivu, Vavuniya and nearby districts lies Mahaweli “L” Zone. As the Hon. Deputy Minister noted, it has been used politically. Although the L Zone encompasses our districts, not a drop of Mahaweli water has reached us. In the past, people from other areas were settled there, altering our region’s demography. I humbly request that such practices not continue.

¶ 06 Regarding the Lower Malwathu Oya Project: it is beneficial to us. However, past governments brought people from Anuradhapura to settle in Vavuniya, displacing local landowners. Please do not continue practices that could create ethnic tensions or demographic changes in our region.

¶ 07 Whitefly infestations on coconut and other trees are severe in our area, contributing to reduced coconut yields. Farmers cannot afford the treatment; rocker pumps needed to spray cost around Rs. 500,000—beyond smallholders’ means. Hon. Minister, through APCs or the Department of Community Development, please procure rocker pumps to rent to farmers to increase coconut production.

¶ 08 On fertilizer subsidy: currently Rs. 25,000 per hectare (about Rs. 10,000 per acre). Farmers request increasing it to Rs. 20,000 per acre. Our district is famed for black gram; over 10,000 acres were severely damaged by recent floods, yet no compensation has been paid. I bring this to the Minister’s attention. Farmers also request that the subsidy be given in fertilizer through APCs rather than cash, because private suppliers may provide low-quality fertilizers. They also request free insurance for all subsidy recipients and increased coverage.

¶ 09 Thank you.