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Govt. unable to purchase paddy for want of funds

Published

3 years ago

2022/09/12

Thilina Walpola

Rohini asks why squander money on more ministers if basic needs cannot be met

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) yesterday (11) lambasted the government for failing to purchase paddy purportedly for want of funds.SJB lawmaker Rohini Kaviratne said that the SLPP-led President Ranil Wickremesinghe government should be ashamed of its failure especially against the backdrop of appointment of 37 State Ministers at the expense of taxpayers.The Matale District MP was responding to Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera’s recent disclosure he couldn’t purchase paddy for want of funds.

SLFPer Amaraweera said that the failure on the part of the Agriculture Ministry to obtain the required funding through two major state banks had jeopardized the planned purchasing of paddy stocks. The Minister said that his efforts to accelerate the process hadn’t been so far successful and the issue at hand would be taken up at a meeting, scheduled to be chaired by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who also holds the finance portfolio.

The Island

sought an explanation from State Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya regarding Minister Amaraweera’s complaint. The SLFPer promised to inquire into the issue at hand tomorrow. The newly appointed State Minister assured that he would be able to explain the status as regards the matter involving the state banks today (12).

Dudley Sirisena, one of the major paddy millers who had been critical of successive governments as well as the private sector over the paddy purchasing schemes declined to comment on Minister Amaraweera’s allegations.Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardena couldn’t be contacted over the phone for his comments on Minister Amaraweera’s complaint as regards the inordinate delay on the part of the state banks to release the required funding.

Private television stations over the past few days reported farmers being turned away at purchasing centers for want of funds.Lawmaker Kaviratne said that the government was begging countries for free rice while the local produce was not purchased. Alleging that the government failure would allow the private sector to further exploit the farmers, MP Kaviratne said, urging the Wickremesinghe administration to prioritize which needed immediate attention.

The public had been demanding a system change and seemed to have initially believed Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s ouster would automatically result in far reaching changes. “But, the SLPP as expected got a gang of State Ministers appointed. In terms of the constitution, the SLPP and President Wickremesinghe can appoint 12 more ministers and three more State Ministers,” MP Kaviratne said.

MP Kaviratne said that the country was in such a precarious situation that appointment of 30 Cabinet and 40 non-Cabinet ministers, close on the heels of staff-level agreement with the IMF on USD 2.9 bn loan facility, seemed a crime. Obviously, the government was blind to the developing crisis, MP Kaviratne said, pointing out the SLPP’s efforts to consolidate its position, both in and outside Parliament, in the wake of breaking up of the 145-member parliamentary group.

Responding to another query, MP Kaviratne said that the government was continuing a major crackdown on those who had been involved in the Gotagogama protest campaign as part of its overall strategy to suppress the Opposition. The government’s failure to purchase paddy should be examined against the backdrop of its failure to compensate for those who suffered serious crop losses for want of fertiliser and agro chemicals.

MP Kaviratne said that the Rajapaksa government paid USD 6.7 mn for a ship load of rejected Chinese carbonic fertiliser. In spite of corruption allegations pertaining to the Chinese deal, as well as liquid fertiliser from India, the government conveniently failed to investigate, MP Kaviratne said, adding that the people would soon launch street protests against the incumbent government.

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Landslide Early Warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya extended

Published

7 hours ago

2026/02/13

Priyan

The landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya by the Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] have been extended until 0600 hrs on the 14th of February 2026.

Accordingly,
The Level II [AMBER] landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Walapane and Nildandahinna in the Nuwara Eliya district and

the Level I [YELLOW] landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secretaries Division and surrounding areas of Pathahewaheta in the Kandy district have been extended till 0600AM on Saturday [14]

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Royal Navy of Oman Vessel “SADH” departs island

Published

13 hours ago

2026/02/13

Priyan

The Royal Navy of Oman Vessel “SADH” which arrived in Sri Lanka for replenishment purpose, departed the island on 12 Feb 26.

In accordance with naval tradition, the Sri Lanka Navy extended a customary farewell to the departing ship.

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“We will not make decisions for rural level schools while sitting in Colombo” – PM

Published

15 hours ago

2026/02/13

Priyan

The Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that aligning with the development activities carried out under the new education reforms, decisions at the rural level will not be taken from Colombo and plans should be sent based on the requirements of the rural level through the District Coordination Committees by structural committees. She further noted that all officials, from the Ministry of Education down to the school level, must commit to working efficiently and with a human-centered approach.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing a discussion held with education authorities of the Hambantota District on Thursday [February 12] at the auditorium of the Hambantota District Secretariat regarding the new education reforms and prevailing issues in the education sector.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister provided an opportunity for education authorities including chief prelates of pirivenas, zonal education directors, teacher advisors, and principals to present the challenges they face and officials raised concerns including salary disparities among principals, developing school infrastructure, issues arising from the division between national and provincial schools, and uplifting pirivena education.

Further elaborating, Prime Minister stated:

“The new education reforms were initiated from 2025 through dialogue, consultations, and the collection of necessary data. As officials, you have extended your support to us during this process. We have embarked on a difficult and long journey, and we look forward to your continued cooperation.

We initiated these reforms in response to a strong social demand. Many have attempted such reforms at different times. Within our political vision, we understood clearly that if this country is to be rebuilt, an educational transformation is essential. The human resource is the most valuable resource of this country and it should be nurtured properly.

Solutions to many of the crises our country faces lie within the education system. Addressing the issues in economic challenges, social issues, drug abuse, violence, the breakdown of political culture, corruption, waste, and even the deterioration of human relationships all lie within the education.

In order to achieve the transformation we envision as a government, that an education transformation is necessary.

This education system should focus on reducing the pressures within the system, minimize school dropouts, increase employability, and instill confidence in children about their future.

There are disparities within the school system, between rural and urban schools, national and provincial schools, and difficult schools. This should not happen. All children must have equal opportunities.
⁣
Decisions regarding the establishment of schools or expansion of classes should not be political decisions. They must be decisions taken through Structural Committees. Those representatives understand their divisions, village economies, and population dynamics. Based on your decisions and assessments of needs, prepare the plans, discuss them with the District Coordination Committees, and submit them to us. We will then take steps to provide the necessary allocations and other support. We will not make decisions for the rural level while sitting in Colombo.

We are taking steps to minimize salary disparities. A Cabinet paper regarding the salary anomalies of principals has already been prepared for submission. Steps are also being taken to introduce new reforms in pirivena education through the Pirivena Committee of the Ministry of Education. We require the support of the chief prelates in this regard.

A significant number of teachers turn to human rights due to delays caused by inefficiency. Therefore, all officials from the Ministry of Education down to the schools must commit to working efficiently and in a humane manner”

The discussion was attended by Chief prelates of pirivenas, deputy ministers, Members of Parliament, zonal directors, principals, and other education sector officials.