Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has alleged that the vast majority of the country’s farmers, numbering in the millions, placed their trust in Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the JVP, after they claimed during election campaigns that they alone understood the hearts of farmers.
He said the JVP had promised to create an era of the common people, in which farmers would be given their rightful place and strength in society, instead of the “stepmotherly treatment” they had received under the politics of the elite.
“Millions of farmers were deceived by the JVP’s deception. Although they gave power to Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the JVP for a better tomorrow, today this government is branding the farmers who brought them to power as thieves,” the Opposition Leader said.
He said that while farmers were described during the election period as deserving of kingship, they are now being insulted as robbers and thieves.
Premadasa further said that although many concessions had been promised to farmers that had not been provided by previous governments, the concessions promised by the current government have also not been delivered, while the solutions promised to farmers’ problems have yet to materialise.
The Opposition Leader made these remarks while addressing a public meeting held today in Hambantota and Weerawila to inquire into the problems faced by farmers.
He said that at a time when 30–40% of the country’s population is living in poverty, farmers are also among those affected, and alleged that the government’s actions and policies have further impoverished the farming community.
According to Premadasa, high-quality seeds, rice, fertiliser and agrochemicals are not available at affordable prices. He said that even the fertiliser subsidy is received after cultivation work has been completed, while inferior oil, fertiliser and agrochemicals have also been imported into the country, leaving farmers helpless.
He said that instead of increasing agricultural yields, production costs have risen, while the prices of agricultural equipment have also increased rapidly.
The Opposition Leader said there is currently no space in Parliament or the media to raise questions about farmers’ problems.
He said the human-elephant conflict remains unresolved and that even the irrigation rehabilitation programme has not been properly implemented. He also alleged that the Minister of Agriculture, after coming to power, is now pointing fingers at journalists.
“There is no room in Parliament or the media today to ask questions on behalf of the farmer,” he said, adding that the farming community has become extremely helpless due to the failure to implement a properly managed agricultural policy.
Government deliberately making farmers poor
Premadasa also alleged that the government has failed to move towards a joint programme that would protect consumer rights while including small- and medium-scale paddy mill owners in the agricultural marketing network.
He said that even when the President and ministers attend meetings and present facts, they have no right to speak about the price of paddy.
The Opposition Leader further alleged that the government is deliberately impoverishing farmers.
He said the Minister of Agriculture had stated in Parliament that the cost was Rs. 137, while the guaranteed price for paddy is currently Rs. 120, resulting in a loss of Rs. 17 for the farmer.
Promised guaranteed price of Rs. 150 not provided
Premadasa said that millions of farmers are currently in an extremely helpless situation and, according to the Department of Census, are said to be living on a monthly income of Rs. 17,000–18,000.
He said that although government representatives had stated that they would go to the fields, harvest paddy and pay Rs. 150 per kilogram, that promised price has not been provided.
He added that since the government purchases only a small quantity of paddy, these problems could have been avoided if small- and medium-scale mill owners had been encouraged.
“Everything related to agriculture is collapsing and being destroyed today. This government has no understanding of how to implement the National Agricultural Policy,” Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said.
Farmers beginning the fight to send the government home
He said the biggest struggle to send the current government home is now being led by farmers.
Premadasa said a president had previously been elected by making similar promises and that the people later rejected him before the election.
He said that when the era of queues emerged, poverty increased and electricity cuts were imposed, the people even took steps to send home the president who had received 6.9 million votes.
He alleged that the current government has also created an era that will destroy farmers and that Anura Kumara Dissanayake has formulated agricultural policies that will create such an era.
“Do not be fooled by them even now”
Premadasa said the political movement that claimed to oppose elite politics has now shifted towards elite politics and forgotten farmers.
He said the promises made to farmers must still be fulfilled.
“As the Opposition Leader, no matter what obstacles arise, I will work to protect the rights of farmers both inside and outside Parliament,” he said.
He also urged farmers not to be deceived by the government even now.
