Opposition leader accuses government of betraying farmers

The current government came to power promising to crown the farming community, yet it dragged their lives down completely, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa stated.

Sajith Premadasa made these remarks while addressing a farmers' meeting held in the Iginimitiya area of Nawagattegama, Anamaduwa, today.

When issues regarding seed paddy shortages and fertiliser problems faced by farmers island-wide are raised in Parliament, the subject minister misleads the public by claiming such issues do not exist, Sajith Premadasa said.

He alleged that while farmers spend between Rs.130 – Rs.135 to produce a kilogramme of paddy, the Agriculture Minister claims the cost is only Rs.90 - Rs.95 , showing a lack of understanding of the farming cycle.

Promises made during the election period to legalise a guaranteed price of Rs. 150 for a kilogramme of paddy are now forgotten, and even the purchase of paddy with 14% moisture at Rs.120 is not happening properly, he said.

He further noted that farmers were deceived by political promises in 2024, just as they were in 2019.

The current administration is helpless before IMF conditions and is destroying agriculture instead of modernising it, the Opposition Leader said.

He announced that a new "social contract and charter" for farmers would be introduced under the Samagi Jana Balawegaya.

Providing a stable and guaranteed price for farmers—who are helpless due to rising prices of fertiliser, oil, and agrochemicals, as well as the wild elephant conflict—will be a priority of his future government.

These ministers are afraid to come before the people today, and I challenge them to go to the farmers and look into these issues if they can, the Opposition Leader said.

He added that a massive force will be created by mobilising the farming community.