Sajith accuses government of betraying farmers after polls

Ministers enter paddy fields during election periods and promise a fixed price while eating raw paddy, but even today no such price exists, and once the election ends, the farmer turns into a moonshiner who fails to contribute adequately to the gross domestic product.

Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa made these remarks today during a special meeting held at the opposition leader's office in parliament to discuss the severe issues faced by the farming community.

The opposition leader stated that Samagi Jana Balawegaya is prepared to make farming, which can be called a human right, a fundamental right protected by the country's constitution.

He pointed out that although politicians act to secure votes during election periods by claiming they will make the farmer a king, they discard the farmer and farming as a failure during non-election times.

Meanwhile, a severe crisis emerged in every link of the production cycle in the current agricultural sector.

Farmers engage in cultivation activities even by mortgaging their jewellery and property amidst numerous issues such as the rising prices of seeds, fertilisers, agrochemicals, and machinery, alongside the human-elephant conflict.

As a result of limited government intervention, farmers do not receive an income that matches their expenses.

Although it costs Rs.137 to produce a kilogramme of paddy at present, the government's fixed price stands at Rs.120, proving with statistics that the farmer actually incurs a loss.