News
Farmers warn against releasing 1 mn kilos of rice held at Port
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The United Rice Producers’ Association (URPA) has alleged that the releasing of one million kilos of rice held at the Colombo Port will lead to a sharp drop in the rice prices and the rice market could even collapse.
Muditha Perera, who heads the Polonnaruwa-based URPA, told The Island that farmers had been struggling to sell their produce. “If large stocks of imported rice are allowed into the market now, there would be a catastrophe,” Perera said. According to him, since Oct, 2021, nearly 700,000 metric tonnes of rice have been imported following the reduction of levy imposed on a kilo of rice to 25 cents.
The entrepreneur said that the URPA on Sunday (16) had brought the further deterioration of the situation to the notice of the Presidential Secretariat via an e-mail. In spite of a much-touted directive that had been issued by President Ranil Wickremesinghe as regards swift government response to public concerns, the URPA was yet to receive at least an acknowledgment, Perera said.
The Finance Ministry confirmed that State Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya issued instructions on Oct 12 to the Customs to release one million kilos of imported rice that hadn’t been cleared over the past few years. According to the Finance Ministry, the decision has been taken following talks between State Minister Siyambalapitiya and Ports and Shipping Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva at the latter’s ministry.
The ministry disclosed that 79 containers, carrying one mn kilos of rice, had been held over the failure on the part of the importers to pay demurrage for failing to clear them on time. They were among 950 containers detained at the Colombo harbour on the same charge, the Finance Ministry said, adding that there were considerable quantities of turmeric and karunka among that backlog.
Muditha Perera said that successive governments had allowed large scale imports of rice and other items at the expense of local producers. In a letter, dated Oct 16, addressed to President Wickremesinghe, the URPA alleged that in spite of sufficient stocks in the country, the SLPP resumed rice imports in Oct 2021, much to the disappointment of farmers. Claiming that this was done at the request of major rice millers, affiliated to the ruling alliance, the Association blamed the then Trade and Agriculture Ministers, Bandula Gunawardena and Mahindananada Aluthgamage, respectively, for negligence and unilateral decisions taken at the expense of the farmers.
The Association alleged that in spite of the continuing severe foreign exchange crisis and the availability of sufficient stocks of rice, the government allowed rice imports probably in a deliberate attempt to discourage the farming community.
Commenting on the devastating impact of the fertiliser and agro chemicals ban imposed by the then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on the agriculture sector, the Association President asserted that the 2021/2022 Maha yield dropped by as much as 900,000 metric tonnes as a result.
The Association compared the large-scale import of rice with such imports in 2014/2015 that compelled the yahapalana government to even use Mattala airport to store paddy.
Declaring that the industry was in an acute crisis, Perera warned of irreparable damage to the economy. “Most of the farmers and small and medium rice producers are in a dilemma. Against the backdrop of sharp increase in electricity rates and depreciation of the rupee, the production costs have gone up,” Perera said.
The Association chief alleged that though some politicians referred to this issue, political parties hadn’t addressed the recurring problem though they repeatedly assured the farmers of their wellbeing. How could they guarantee food security when the farmers were unable to sell their produce, Perera said, urging Parliament to address the issues at hand or face the consequences.
Prof. Jayasumana raises possibility of Lanka ending up with “Quad’
Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has said it is the responsibility of the NPP government to submit the MoUs/agreements that were recently signed with India to the respective Sectoral Oversight Committees (SOCs).
Premadasa said so when The Island raised the issue with him. He said that during his meeting with Premier Modi his focus had been on opening the Indian market for Sri Lankan garment exports.
The seven MoUs/agreements signed on 05 April included defence cooperation, energy, Eastern Province development and digitalisation.
Meanwhile, the Vice President of Sarvajana Balaya and former lawmaker Prof. Channa Jayasumana said that the government owed an explanation whether the recently signed MoU on defence cooperation directly or indirectly attached Sri Lanka to the Quad security alliance, consisting of the US, Australia, Japan and India.
The former SLPPer raised the issue at a meeting held at Boralesgamuwa on Monday (07) in support of Sarvajana Balaya candidates contesting the May 6 LG polls.
Prof. Jayasumana urged that the MoU on Defence Cooperation be placed before Parliament, and the people, without further delay. The academic who served as State Health Minister during President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s tenure said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s foreign policy direction should be dealt with.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The government would not extend the suspension of ‘parate executions’ that was now effective, Deputy Minister of Finance Harshana Suriyapperuma told Parliament yesterday.
Suriyapperuma said so in response to a question raised by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, who asked about the government’s plans regarding a relief package to assist small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) struggling to repay loans.
Pointing out that about 263,000 SMEs had closed down, Premadasa asked what action the government would take to address the grievances of these SMEs.
He said that from 01 Jan., 2019, to 01 Dec., 31, 2023, licensed banks had collected Rs. 113.7 billion through 2,263 parate executions. As of 31 Dec., 2024, Rs. 1,380 billion had been recovered from Stage III defaulters.
The government has introduced loan schemes to assist SMEs impacted by the economic crisis. They included capital loans of up to Rs. 10 million, with a six-month grace period and a three-year repayment term at 8% interest, Suriyapperuma said. Additionally, another loan scheme under the consolidated fund aimed to help SMEs that werecurrently paying their loans. That scheme offered loans of up to Rs. 15 million, which must be repaid over ten years with a one-year grace period and a 7% interest rate. For SMEs that had defaulted on their loans, a loan of up to Rs. 5 million is available at 8% interest, with a six-month grace period and a five-year repayment term, Suriyapperuma said.
By Saman Indrajith
The Parliament yesterday approved a Resolution to appoint a Committee of Inquiry (CoI) in terms of Section 5 of the Removal of Officers (Procedure) Act, No. 5 of 2002, to remove Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon from office.
The parliament announced 151 votes were received in favour of the Resolution and was passed without debate. Three opposition MPs R. Ramanathan Archuna, Nizam Kariyappar, Mujibur Rahuman and Ajith P Perera voted with the government.
The Resolution moved by NPP MP Lalkmali Hemachandra aims to appoint the CoI to investigate charges of misconduct and gross abuse of power of his office.
NPP MP Gayan Janaka seconded the motion.
SLMC MP Nizam Kariyappar said that the motion carrying the resolution should better be amended citing the Standing Order 91 (F) stating that the matter of Tennakoon was sub judice.
Deputy Speaker Dr. Mohamed Rizvie Salih said that the matter does not arise as per the agreements reached by the party leaders.
Chief Government Whip Health and Mass Media Minister Dr Nalinda Jayatissa called for a division on the resolution.
By Saman Indrajith
Sajith asks govt. to submit its MoUs with India to Parliament
Govt. won’t extend suspension of ‘parate executions’
Resolution to remove IGP: Resolution passed, four Opp MPs vote with govt.
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