2026-02-18 / debate: Special Commodity Levy Act Order, Customs Ordinance Resolution, Motor Traffic Act Regulations 2026-02-18
## Summary
Speaking to a debate under Section 2(3) of the Special Commodity Levy Act No. 48 of 2007, Hon. Adaikkalanathan highlighted failures in consumer price regulation, particularly in the Vanni region districts of Mullaitivu, Vavuniya, and Mannar, where essential goods including rice, medicine, and daily necessities are sold above stipulated prices, and alleged that some Public Health Inspectors accept bribes to overlook violations. He called on the Government to rigorously enforce fair pricing through the Consumer Affairs Authority and to address the exploitation of paddy farmers by private buyers, drawing a parallel with the Government's stated commitment to combating corruption and narcotics. On transport, he requested that the Mannar railway departure time be shifted from 1:00 a.m. to approximately 10:00 p.m. to make the service practically usable. He also raised a constitutional objection to the Government's administration of the Northern Province through Governor-led provincial ministries in the absence of elected Provincial Councils, characterising this as an unlawful "shadow" administration and urging the President to hold Provincial Council elections.
Thank you, Hon. Presiding Member. I wish to contribute a few remarks to the debate under section 2(3) of the Special Commodity Levy Act, No. 48 of 2007.
The regulations framed do not adequately address the day-to-day hardships of ordinary people. In eateries, the “price” is what is displayed; there is no way for ordinary people to know whether food is prepared hygienically. Beyond meals, even basic food items are not sold at regulated prices. In our Vanni region—Mullaitivu, Vavuniya, Mannar—no goods are sold at the stipulated prices. In Mannar, some Public Health Inspectors act justly, but elsewhere there is a tendency to look away after taking bribes, allowing overpricing.
I urge the Government to examine what district officers of the Consumer Affairs Authority and those tasked with curbing unfair trade practices are doing to detect overpricing. While the Government focuses on corruption and narcotics, it must also ensure that people who toil daily can purchase goods at fair prices. Essentials—such as rice and other daily necessities—are being sold at arbitrarily increased prices. Even the price of a single tablet of medicine varies between Vavuniya, Colombo, Mannar and Mullaitivu. How are ordinary people to buy medicines from private pharmacies under such disparity?
Although the Government acts decisively against narcotics and corruption, it must show the same seriousness against excessive pricing. Regarding paddy, we see private mafias buying paddy and produce at unfairly low prices and behaving thuggishly; the Government must address this too.
On Motor Traffic regulations and transport: I have previously raised Mannar’s transport issues with the responsible Minister. The current railway service from Mannar departs as early as 1.00 a.m., making it unusable for the public. If it departed around 10.00 p.m., it could arrive here by about 4.00 a.m., which would be more practical. I request the Minister’s attention.
I must also oppose the Government’s attempt to operate a “shadow” Provincial administration without holding Provincial Council elections. In the Northern Province, although there are provincial ministries like Education and Agriculture, they function under the Governor’s leadership. Running a shadow provincial administration is unconstitutional. I urge the Hon. President to abolish this illegal shadow Provincial Council mechanism and to hold Provincial Council elections, enabling legitimate political administration. Thank you.