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Prof. Vitarana says re-streamlining co-op movement the only way to save farmers from middlemen

Published

5 years ago

2020/11/29

By Saman Indrajith

LSSP leader Prof. Tissa Vitarana said that re-streamlining the cooperative movement is the only way to save farmers from middlemen who prevent both producers and consumers from enjoying decent prices in the market.

Participating in the third reading stage debate on budget 2021, MP Vitarana said that middlemen and miller mafia have become the bane of farmers.

“The middlemen and miller mafia get the farmers into a debt trap and buy their produce at prices they determine. If the cooperative system was strong, it could have purchased the produce of farmers at a decent price. That would also make way for the consumers to buy at a lower price. Re-streamlining the cooperative movement would be the solution to this,” he said.

“I was the Governor of the North Central Province during the first quarter of this year. It is an area known for its centuries-old irrigated agriculture. More than 65 percent of the people in the province depend on basic agriculture and agro- based industries. The province has immense potential for investors to start their businesses, especially in the agriculture, agro-based industries and livestock sectors. But I was sad to notice that malnutrition was prevailing in the province so badly”, he noted.

Prof. Vitarana further said: “As per the latest statistics, the province’s malnutrition was at 12.5 percent. One in every eight persons was suffering from malnutrition which was high among farmer families. I visited villages in the province and made inquiries. The villagers told me that they do not get the due price for their paddy. Owing to the debts, they had been compelled to sell to the middlemen and miller mafia.

“During the times of the Yahapalana government, their other sources of income also dried up. Two companies have got hold of controlling cattle farmers. Those who engaged in sand mining and brick manufacturing too have lost their incomes. I found that most of the families in the province have only one meal a day.

“The LSSP has an Agriculture Committee headed by Dr. Lionel Weerakoon, who was the former Director, Research of the Agriculture Department. We conducted a thorough research with him and researchers of the University of Rajarata, Mahailluppalama Field Crop Research and Development Institute and officials from the Mahaweli, Agriculture Department, Agrarian Services Board, Irrigation Department and the provincial council. Thereafter we conducted two seminars and a workshop for all stakeholders.

“The research and the subsequent events helped us identify the reasons for the sorry situation prevailing and the solutions for them as well. I table the report of the findings. It was found that there is a mismatch between the crops the farmers cultivate and the potential of the soil, sunlight and climate in the area. That should be optimized to get a better harvest. The province with an immense potential produces only five percent of the GDP.

“Distribution of lands was haphazardly done so they are occupied by various departments and ministries without contributing towards their development. The distribution of lands, optimization of crops and other agrarian services should be done in a scientific and composite manner. The produce of farmers should be value added. While I was the minister of Science and Technology, I promoted the setting up of Vidatha Centers for this purpose. But when I inquired from these officials, I found that they cannot operate to optimum levels as funds allocated to the centers have been reduced gradually during recent times.

“These issues should be addressed to help the farmers to get out of their present plight. Even after that is done, the farmers would not be able to raise their heads till they are hooked by scrupulous elements of the miller mafia. There are regional banks who could obtain loans at seven percent interest from the central bank and serve the people in the province, but they were not aware of it. The cooperative system should be reintroduced to help save the farmers and consumers from the middlemen and miller mafia”.

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Advisory for Heavy Rain issued for the Central, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and North-central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts

Published

12 hours ago

2026/02/22

Priyan

Advisory for Heavy Rain Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre at 08.30 a.m. on 22 February 2026 valid for the period until 08.30 a.m. 23 February 2026

Due to the influence of the low level atmospheric disturbance in the vicinity of Sri Lanka, Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in Central, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and North-central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.

Therefore, general public is advised to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by heavy rain, strong winds and lightning during thundershowers

News

Matara Festival for the Arts’ inaugurated by the Prime Minister

Published

18 hours ago

2026/02/22

Priyan

The inaugural ceremony of the Matara Festival for the Arts, featuring a wide range of creations by local and international artists, was held on February 19 at the Old High Court premises of the Matara Fort, under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The festival, centred around the Old High Court premises in Matara and the auditorium of the Matara District Secretariat, will be open to the public from 20 to 23 of February. The festival will be featured by visual art exhibitions, short film screenings, Kala Pola, and a series of workshops conducted by experts.

The inaugural event was attended by the Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Ms. Saroja Paulraj, along with artists, guests, and a large number of schoolchildren.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)

News

Only single MP refuses salary as Parliament details pays and allowances

Published

22 hours ago

2026/02/22

Thilina Walpola

SJB Badulla District MP Nayana Wasalathilake is the only MP to forego salary and allowances, with all payments suspended following his written notification on August 20, 2025.

Only one Member of Parliament has chosen not to receive the salaries and allowances entitled to MPs, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya revealed in Parliament last Thursday, shedding light on the financial perks enjoyed by members of the Tenth Parliament.

Speaking on Thursday (Feb. 19) in response to a question from SJB Badulla District MP Chaminda Wijesiri, the Prime Minister outlined the full range of pay and allowances provided to parliamentarians.

According to Dr. Amarasuriya, MPs receive a monthly allowance of Rs. 54,285, an entertainment allowance of Rs. 1,000, and a driver’s allowance of Rs. 3,500—though MPs provided with a driver through the Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs are not eligible for the driver’s allowance.

Additional benefits include a telephone allowance of Rs. 50,000, a transport allowance of Rs. 15,000, and an office allowance of Rs. 100,000. MPs are also paid a daily sitting allowance of Rs. 2,500 for attending parliamentary sessions, with an additional Rs. 2,500 per day for participation in parliamentary sittings and Rs. 2,500 per day as a committee allowance.

Committee meetings held on non-parliament sitting days also attract Rs. 2,500 per day.

Fuel allowances are provided based on the distance between an MP’s electoral district and Parliament. National List MPs are entitled to a monthly allocation equivalent to 419.76 litres of diesel at the market price on the first day of each month.

Despite the comprehensive benefits, only SJB Badulla District MP Nayana Wasalathilaka has opted not to draw a salary or allowances. Dr. Amarasuriya said that in accordance with a written notification submitted by MP Wasalathilaka on August 20, 2025, payments have been suspended since that date.

The Prime Minister also confirmed that she, along with the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, committee chairs, ministers, deputy ministers, the Opposition Leader, and senior opposition whips, have all informed the Secretary-General of Parliament in writing that they will not claim the fuel allowance.

Challenging the ruling party’s voluntary pledge to forgo salaries, MP Wijesiri pointed out that all MPs except Wasalathilaka continue to receive their salaries and allowances. “On one hand you speak about the people’s mandate, which is good. But the mandate also included people who said they would voluntarily serve in this Parliament without salaries. Today we have been able to prove, Hon. Speaker, that except for one SJB MP, the other 224 Members are drawing parliamentary salaries,” he said.

The Prime Minister responded by defending the political culture and practice of allocating portions of MPs’ salaries to party funds. Referring to previous practices by the JVP and NPP, she said: “It is no secret to the country that the JVP has for a long time not personally taken MPs’ salaries or any allowances. I think the entire country knows that these go to a party fund. That is not new, nor is it something special to mention. The NPP operates in the same way. That too is not new; it is the culture of our political movement.”

When MP Wijesiri posed a supplementary question asking whether diverting salaries to party funds was an indirect method of taking care of MPs, Dr. Amarasuriya said: “There is no issue there. No question was raised; the Member made a statement. What we have seen throughout this week is an inability to understand our political culture and practice, and a clash with decisions taken by political movements that misused public funds. What is coming out is a certain mindset. That is why there is such an effort to find fault with the 159. None of these facts are new to people. He did not ask a question, so I have nothing to answer.”

The disclosures come days after the Government moved to abolish the parliamentary pension, a measure that has sparked renewed debate over MP compensation and the transparency of funds allocation.