SJB to unveil its agri policy on January 29
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) will unveil its agrarian policy in Polonnaruwa on January 29.
Kurunegala district SJB MP Nalin Bandara said that the present government is wreaking more havoc on cultivated lands than was done during the reign of King Kalinga Maga.
He said the government led cultivated lands to destruction throughout the country.
Bandara was addressing a gathering of farmers in Naula on Monday evening at the Naula – Arangala Siri Arahantha Pabbathaarama Temple.
This farmers’ meeting was organized by Matale District SJB MP Rohini Kumari Wijeratne and farmers from the Naula Divisional Secretariat Division participated at this meeting.
Bandara said that the Samagi Jana Balawegaya will unravel its agrarian policy to the world in Polonnaruwa on January 29.
“Our policy on agriculture contains all details about what a SJB government will do for farmers. Some people are asking us what we will do since the government has failed. We will tell the world on January 29 what we will do for farmers to uplift their living standards.We are equipped with a vibrant team who is capable of implementing that programme,” he said.
He said that SJB is not a Party that will bring farmers on to the road every day or allow them to engage in protests or hold fasts or even try to ensure that farmers wear the loin cloth.
“The SJB is a party that can bring in alternatives for farmers’ problems.The farmer is the person who is facing the most difficulties in the country today. The farmers in our country never had any serious problems before, he said.
When there were natural disasters from 1948, a few problems cropped up here and there. Today the economy of farming families has collapsed. That is what we are experiencing as of today, as a country, he said.
Bandara said such problems were never experienced before in our country. A large number of dollars could be earned through tea cultivation.
He added that Former Prime Ministers D. S. Senanayake, Dudley Senanayake and Sir John Kotelawala set up agrarian colonies. A district named Polonnaruwa was established because of D. S. Senanayake. In 1948, 35% of rice required for our country was produced, the balance 65% was imported. The Chinese Rubber Rice Agreement was signed in 1952 since our country needed rice. We gave our rubber to China and we ate rice given by the Chinese.