News
PMB hasn’t purchased Yala yield at all – State Minister
‘Treasury helpless, solution not in sight’
By Shamindra Ferdinando
State Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya yesterday (12) admitted that the Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) hadn’t purchased any paddy for want of funds.
The SLFPer said that the economic crisis was so acute the Finance Ministry couldn’t intervene though it realised the need to address the issue urgently.
The Kegalle District MP said so when The Island sought an explanation regarding the failure on the part of the government to step in to re-assure the farmers of its commitment for their welfare.
Siyambalapitiya said that in spite of a series of talks, involving President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Premier Dinesh Gunawardena, Bank of Ceylon, People’s Bank and the PMD over the past several weeks the issue at hand couldn’t be settled.
Responding to another query, MP Siyambalapitiya said that the whole setup was in turmoil.
The government lacked the wherewithal to intervene on behalf of the PMB, the State Minister said, adding that the Treasury was in the process of settling Rs 2 bn the government enterprise owed the Bank of Ceylon and the People’s Bank.
Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera was not available for comment.
The Island raised the issue with Dr. Suren Batagoda, senior presidential advisor on food security. When The Island pointed out that the PMB hadn’t bought paddy at all though the government repeatedly assured the public of food security and sufficient fertiliser and agro chemicals for the forthcoming Maha season, Dr. Batagoda said that they were aware of the situation.
Dr. Batagoda asserted that even if the PMB received sufficient financial backing, it couldn’t purchase at least 5% of the stocks available in the market. The presidential aide explained the need and the responsibility on the part of the government to create an environment for the private sector to manage the paddy purchasing scheme.
The PMB couldn’t intervene in the market in a decisive manner therefore it would be better to facilitate the private sector to meet the need, Dr. Batagoda said. The presidential aide emphasized all stakeholders should recognize the ground situation. “We have to be realistic. Better to educate the public and take tangible measures to properly supervise private sector-led initiative than funding the PMB,” Dr. Batagoda said. The former power sector official also questioned the efficiency of the PMB in comparison to the private sector.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe, on Sept. 13, established a special mechanism comprising four committees to ensure food security.
State Minister Siyambalapitiya also admitted that they hadn’t been able to solve the issue over Rs 1.2 bn PMB fixed deposit at the Bank of Ceylon. The PMB has declined to release its fixed deposit to finance purchasing of paddy.
Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) MP Rohini Kaviratne told The Island that the government owed an explanation how it intended to ensure food security if the farmers’ produce were not purchased. In the absence of the state intervention, the private sector-dominated paddy market wouldn’t be sensitive to the difficulties experienced by hapless farmers.
Lawmaker Kaviratne asked whether the government was quietly planning to stop purchasing paddy. If that happened, what would be the fate of the PMB, the former UNP MP asked, urging the government to make its position clear on the issue at hand.
The Matale District MP said that those who expected a system change in the wake of Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s ouster in July must have been surprised by the way the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa administration handled the economy.
The top SJB spokesperson said that the government seemed to have allowed a group of politically influential private sector millers to take over the entire paddy purchasing scheme. The government inaction would discourage farmers, and those who speak of exceptional yield at the forthcoming Maha season had conveniently forgotten the farmers were struggling to sell their produce.
The MP alleged that the government was busy destroying the agriculture sector. The incumbent leadership obviously followed Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s destructive strategies, she said. The former President denied farmers fertiliser and agro chemicals and the present lot won’t purchase their produce as they were being exploited by large scale private millers, the SJB MP said.
Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has called for the appointment of a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to investigate the illegal diversion of Treasury funds, amounting to US$2.5 million to a third-party account.
Premadasa has said both the chairmanship and a majority of the Committee’s membership should be held by the Opposition to ensure impartiality.
The government has not only failed to account for the loss of US$2.5 million but also deliberately withheld information from Parliament, the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) and the public, Premadasa has told the media, accusing the ruling party of seeking to deflect responsibility by initiating an internal departmental inquiry, which he describes as a biased process designed to justify predetermined conclusions.
The Opposition Leader has said only a transparent and independent probe could establish the facts, adding that such an investigation could be effectively carried out through a Parliamentary Select Committee led by the Opposition.
He has also warned that the alleged failure to inform Parliament about the missing funds amounted to a serious breach of accountability.
A land distribution programme benefiting families displaced by disaster in the Kandy District was held on April 24 at the Kandy District Secretariat, with 44 affected households receiving plots in the Hanthana area.
The initiative targeted residents of the Gangawata Korale Divisional Secretariat division whose homes were completely destroyed in a recent disaster, leaving them without permanent shelter.
The event was presided over by Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Livestock and Irrigation K. D. Lalkantha, who said arrangements had been made to provide each beneficiary with Rs. 5 million in instalments through the Pathahewaheta Divisional Secretariat to support the construction of new homes.
He noted that the land parcels had been identified from an estate in the Hanthana area and subsequently subdivided into demarcated plots for distribution among the recipients.
Members of Parliament representing the Kandy District from the NPP, along with Kandy District Secretary Indika Udawatta and Gangawata Korale Divisional Secretary Amila Navaratne, were among those present. Government officials and beneficiaries also attended the event.
The programme forms part of ongoing efforts to provide permanent housing solutions and restore livelihoods for families affected by natural disasters in the region.
Text and Pic by SK Samaranayake
Text and Pic by Nishendra Silva
The Sri Lanka Police Scout Division was officially inaugurated at a ceremony held recently at Police Headquarters, marking a significant step towards integrating scouting principles within the police service.
The event was presided over by IGP Priyantha Weerasuriya and Chief Scout Commissioner of the Sri Lanka Scout Association Manoj Nanayakkara. The initiative to establish the new division was conceptualised by Nanayakkara as part of efforts to promote leadership, discipline and community engagement within the police force.
A high-level delegation from the Sri Lanka Scout Association was present, including its President Ransiri Perera, National Training Commissioner Padmalal Perera, and National Programme Commissioner Geeth Ramesh. Assistant Chief Commissioners Chandrani Fernando, Deshan Milinda and Sampath Kariyawasam were also in attendance, along with Training Directors Indrajith Ramanayake and Tilakman Pathmasiri.
Representing the Sri Lanka Police were several senior officials, including Senior DIG (Administration) Sanjeewa Dharmaratne, Senior DIG (Western Province) Sajeewa Medawatta, and Senior DIG (Support Services) Rajitha Sri Daminda.
Senior DIG (Training and Higher Training) Sampath Kumara Liyanage, who has been appointed to head the newly formed Police Scout Division, was also present. He is expected to oversee the launch and ongoing operations of police scouting activities, supported by other senior officers tasked with implementing the initiative.
Opposition asks for PSC to probe Treasury theft
Hanthana land plots given to 44 disaster-hit families
Police launch Scout Division to boost leadership and community ties
New Zealand edge Tuskers in Racecourse arm-wrestle
BIA drug bust: 25 monks including three masterminds arrested
Wins for IPD Colombo, Brandix Apparel, VS Information Systems, Pyramid Wilmar, Future Life Holdings, and LOLC Insurance on Saturday
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
News6 days agoRs 13 bn NDB fraud: Int’l forensic audit ordered
-
News4 days agoLanka faces crisis of conscience over fate of animals: Call for compassion, law reform, and ethical responsibility
-
News3 days agoWhistleblowers ask Treasury Chief to resign over theft of USD 2.5 mn
-
News3 days agoNo cyber hack: Fintech expert exposes shocking legacy flaws that led to $2.5 million theft
-
News4 days agoUSD 2 mn bribe: CID ordered to arrest Shasheendra R, warrant issued against ex-SriLankan CEO’s wife
-
News4 days agoParliament urged to probe questionable payment of USD 2.5 mn from Treasury
-
Opinion6 days agoMinisterial resignation and new political culture
-
Midweek Review5 days agoSqueaky clean image of JVP in tatters