The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Monaragala District Farmers' Conference was held on 28 July at Buttala weekly fair premises headed by the SJB leader Sajith Premadasa.
Members of Parliament Ranjith Madduma Bandara, W.H.M. Dharmasena, Buddhika Pathirana, Nalin Bandara, Hesha Withanage, Hirunika Premachandra, former Deputy Speaker Ananda Kumarasiri and many other MPs and party activists participated in this event.
Excerpts from the SJB leader Sajith Premadasa’s speech on the occasion are as follows:
“I am very happy to address the Monaragala District Farmers' Conference. I would like to convey some important points to all of you at the beginning. Monaragala District is the second largest district in Sri Lanka and one of the least densely populated districts. There is a lot of land in this District. It is one of the ten districts with the highest rice production. More than seventy-five thousand acres of paddy are cultivated in each season. The largest amount of maize in Sri Lanka is produced here. More than twenty-five thousand acres are cultivated in each season. Commercial cultivation of bananas and mangoes takes place here. Cavendish bananas and Tom EJC mangoes are also grown. Apart from that, there are many commercial crops such as sugarcane, cocoa, and pepper.”
“Even with all those, there is a high level of poverty in Monaragala District. Farmers' production costs are high. They do not get a fair price for their products. Middlemen exploit them. Products are destroyed by wild animals. Due to weak government intervention, the energy received by agriculture is at a minimum level. The solution is new technology. Let's learn from the Netherlands, the Netherlands advanced through technology.”
“The size of the Netherlands is about 41,750 square kilometres. Our size is 65, 610 square kilometres. The population of the Netherlands is 227,000. Our population is about 220, 000. In the year 2023, the Netherlands received an income of 11.5 billion Euros from the export of vegetables and fruits alone. Our export income from tea is about 1.3 billion. After America, the Netherlands earns the highest agricultural export income. Animal husbandry also earns a huge amount of money, an income of 23.2 billion Euros. Twenty thousand acres of greenhouses are operated in the agricultural industry. Therefore, the yield obtained from an acre increases tenfold. So, there should be a change in our agriculture sector.”
“We are implementing a National Agriculture Policy for the farmers of our country. We are developing the farmers’ knowledge about agriculture. There are 561 Agricultural Centers in the country. There are 18 in Monaragala District. Farmers are directed to a good education through every agricultural centre. By providing new technology, farmers’ yields will increase. Sevanagala and Pelwatte sugar factories are also located in the area. We will not allow anyone to sell them. We will certainly protect Sevanagala and Pelwatte by providing capital strength through joint projects and confirming the rights of the country, our rights and your rights. There is a serious problem in Kotiyagala, Athimale and Siyambalanduwa areas. The farmlands used for traditional cultivation have been taken away.”
“We have seen the current President coming down from the sky through cumulus clouds and making promises. Has he implemented his promises? No. In the first two months after we came to power, we will implement new agriculture strongly not only in Kotiyagala, Siyambalanduwa and Athimale but also the whole of the Monaragala District. I have to state one more thing. There are three constituencies in the Monaragala District. There are eleven Divisional Secretary’s Divisions. There are three hundred and nineteen Grama Niladhari Divisions. There are one thousand three hundred and eighty villages. Eleven separate development projects are being implemented for the 11 regional jurisdictions in the three constituencies of Monaragala District. Separate development plans will be implemented. Development projects will be implemented for all Grama Niladhari Divisions. Development projects will be implemented for all areas and I will build up the country through building up the village. ‘Punchi’ (small) Premadasa will give development projects to Monaragala.”
“Today's current rulers are tying knots in the best way possible, especially the incumbent President. Now we are getting a message through social media. It is not good to postpone the vote. Losing a police chief is a serious problem. The Speaker and the Chief Justice will discuss and solve the problem. It is a wonderful story. The Supreme Court has given a decision. Have we heard anywhere that after the Supreme Court has given a decision, they go one by one and discuss the decision with the Chief Justice? Is it possible to discuss such a decision? Is it possible to do so? This incumbent President is trying to preserve his position through sleazy subterfuges. There is nothing more to discuss. It is not ethical for the Speaker to discuss with the judges. We say to the President, Speaker and Prime Minister that in this country the law is supreme and don't play with the law. Implement the judgement of the Supreme Court. The President goes ahead and deposits the money as a trick. I am the President. Now that I am a candidate, I cannot appoint a new Inspector General of Police. I cannot interfere in that. There is no such thing in the Constitution. The President has responsibilities as per the Constitution. I would like to ask whether those responsibilities were met. Otherwise, you should resign so that another President can do it. Otherwise, implement the Constitution.”
“Think about your village and city and appoint an ideal leader for the country. We are working to develop the common people of this country three hundred and sixty-five days of every year by spending the most hours of the day. As your temporary guardian, I will build up this country.”
(themorning.lk)
