Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe told Parliament yesterday that the Government has taken necessary measures to provide a fair and sustainable solution to the challenges faced by potato and big onion farmers.
Responding to a point of order raised by SJB MP Dayasiri Jayasekara, the Minister said that Rs. 1,000 million has been allocated under the 2026 Budget to implement a long-term programme for the purchase and storage of potatoes and big onions.
“The Government has already made the required interventions to ensure a fair solution to farmers’ issues,” Minister Samarasinghe said. “Although the Opposition has attempted to turn this matter into a national crisis, we have been implementing a structured programme for potatoes and big onions since August.”
He emphasized that addressing these issues requires strategic, long-term planning, particularly to stabilize market prices and ensure adequate storage facilities for local produce.
Raising the matter in Parliament, MP Jayasekara said that farmers continue to suffer due to the absence of a formal government mechanism for purchasing their harvests. He urged the Government to establish a consistent and transparent system to protect the farming community from financial losses.
Minister Samarasinghe reiterated that the Government remains committed to safeguarding farmers’ livelihoods and ensuring price stability through effective intervention and storage strategies.
