The Hon. Wasantha Piyathissa – Deputy Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment

¶ 01 Mr. Chairman, presenting the 2024 Budget, Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe said that for 75 years after Independence, expenditure was not aligned with income; jobs, salary hikes and free rice were funded by debt or printing money. Having inherited such an economy and political culture, the present Government has, within 100 days of State administration, provided substantial benefits to farmers and the public without debt, excessive taxation, or printing money—an answer to the Opposition’s claims.

¶ 02 In November, heavy rains caused severe hardship to farmers and destroyed large extents of fields. As of 11 March 2025, our Government has completed compensation payments of Rs. 952 million to 53,511 farming families for 61,071 acres.

¶ 03 For the 2024–2025 Maha season alone, Rs. 12.28 billion has been paid to Ampara District; Yala 2024 payments are pending. The previous Government had left arrears including Yala 2023 and Maha 2023–2024. Despite that history, we have delivered significant compensation to affected people.

¶ 04 Claims that the Eastern Province is neglected are incorrect. For the lower basin of the Gal Oya project—to repair and strengthen canal embankments and damaged anicuts—Rs. 7,000 million has been allocated, and works can commence after 21 March. Large sums have also been allocated for Huruluwewa, Minneriya and others—strengthening them to prevent damage during disasters, reducing farmer distress and compensation outlays.

¶ 05 Additionally, Rs. 100 million has been allocated for the Mundeni Aru project—benefiting 10,000 farming families in Ampara and Monaragala. In the Maha Oya area of Ampara, irrigation facilities are being provided for about 6,500 hectares of new and existing lands. In Batticaloa and Ampara, potable water will be supplied to 31,000 families; flood control in the lower basin; and freshwater fish harvests in two reservoirs will increase by about 800 metric tons annually. Significant budgetary allocations are made for such major projects, and broader relief for farmers has been prioritized. Policies and funds are also being directed to mitigate crop damage by wild animals such as elephants.

¶ 06 On Heda Oya, both Ampara and Monaragala District Coordinating Committees have taken decisions, but implementation has stalled. We believe both sides should coordinate and proceed with next steps.

¶ 07 Thank you, Mr. Chairman.