2026-03-03 / Oral Question: Deegavapi-Alankulam Agricultural Road Damage (Q.1302/2025) 2026-03-03
Hon. Uthumalebbe raised two concerns regarding agricultural infrastructure in the Ampara District. First, expressing dissatisfaction with a previous response, he reiterated his question about whether dryers could be installed at Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) stores in Ampara. Second, he highlighted that incomplete drainage schemes — specifically the Sambukalappu–Periyakalappu and Karaivagupattu schemes — have left approximately 11,500 acres of paddy lands across multiple areas in the district chronically inundated. He noted that Ministry-level Consultative Committee meetings on Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation had previously resolved to convene a special meeting at the Parliamentary complex involving Ampara District MPs and senior irrigation officials, but that this decision had not been acted upon, and he called on the Deputy Minister to arrange for that meeting to be held.
Mr. Speaker, I am not satisfied, because I specifically asked whether dryers can be installed at PMB stores in Ampara.
My second supplementary:
Because the Sambukalappu–Periyakalappu drainage scheme has not been completed, about 8,500 acres of paddy lands in Attalai Chenai, Akkaraipattu, Alayadivembu and Thirukkovil remain inundated. Similarly, because the Karaivagupattu drainage scheme is incomplete, 3,000 acres in Sainthamaruthu, Kalmunai, Karaitheevu, Sammanthurai and Narpittimunai have been under water for a long time. In Ministry-level Consultative Committee meetings on Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation—chaired by Hon. Minister Lal Kantha—it was decided to hold a special meeting in the Parliamentary complex with Ampara District MPs and senior irrigation officials. You too participated, along with other Deputy Ministers. This decision, taken in two meetings, has not been implemented. Can you now make arrangements to hold that special meeting?