Johnstonsaysgovt. hasannounced goodpricesforpaddy
The question time began on a parliamentary day last week with Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa flexing his muscles on the MPs who tried to take a lot of time during the period allotted for questions and oral answers.
On one occasion, the Speaker repeatedly ordered United National Party (UNP) MP Sajith Premadasa to raise his supplementary questions in a simple and short form so that the allotted time could be used productively by other member as well.
According to parliamentary traditions, once the answer is given to a question listed on the Order Paper, the MP concerned is allowed to raise three supplementary questions. They should be relevant to the matters arising from the answer given to the main question. The Speaker always advises the members to be specific in raising such questions. Otherwise, the ministers find it difficult to understand them, and it often results in irrelevant replies at the end. were to Ms. Senanayake a little while ago.”
The Speaker, in lighter vein, responded, “There is a difference between the two of you.” In the same spirit and showing a good sense of humour, Mr. Premadasa shot back saying, “You seem to have noticed that difference. I know it well.”
Having listened to such cross talk, Chief Government Whip Dinesh Gunawardane, who was on his feet to answer the question burst into laughter with his face covered with the cardboard file containing the documents bearing answers for the questions being asked.
A similar situation arose during the question time on another day in the House last week. It was when Mr. Premadasa questioned about the farmers’ plight of not being unable to get a better price for their produce during the Maha season.
Despite assertions by Mr. Premadasa that farmers are in the lurch without a reasonable price for their paddy, Internal Trade and Co-operative Minister Johnston Fernando said the government had officially announced Rs. 32 for a kilo of Nadu variety and Rs.35 for Samba variety to be paid.
“You do not know prices prevailing at local markets. Since we declared these stable prices, private traders were also compelled to increase their purchasing prices. Some of them even purchase Nadu rice at Rs.34 a kilo. If you have any amount, please bring it to us for that price,” he said.