Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Matara

Profession: ---

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 31 #133 of 225·#75 in party

Attendance 6/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

31 speeches

8 July 2025 AI summary Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama supported the regulations permitting salt imports without licences, arguing that the measure was necessary due to weather-related production shortfalls in 2024 and early 2025. He said Sri Lanka is normally self-sufficient in salt, with production exceeding national demand, but rain had reduced evaporation at major salterns and enabled traders to exploit shortages. He noted salt demand is steady for both households and industry, and framed the Government’s response as addressing an artificial shortage. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act - Salt Import Regulations (Gazette No. 2437/04) Public FinanceAgriculture Read →
22 May 2025 AI summary Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama raised concerns about the increase in stray dogs, attributing it to unregulated roaming and abandonment, particularly by low-income households unable to care for sick dogs or provide food. He cited studies indicating that about 70 percent of stray dogs originate from such households and proposed establishing a legal framework through local authorities to register new dogs, asking whether this could be implemented. Oral Question: Sand Mining Permits and Stray Dog Control (Q.7/2025) Law & OrderCost of Living Read →
22 May 2025 AI summary Prof. L.M. Abeywickrama raised concern that the stray dog population had become an acute crisis, citing incidents in Matara District involving attacks on calves, road accidents, and increased hospital costs from injuries and dog bites. He said earlier measures and proposals, including sterilization programmes, had ceased in 2025 and asked the Deputy Minister whether there is a short-term action plan to expedite control measures. Oral Question: Sand Mining Permits and Stray Dog Control (Q.7/2025) AgriculturePublic FinanceLaw & Order Read →
19 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama said Sri Lanka had often failed to gain sufficient benefits from trade agreements due to weak negotiation capacity and a lack of domain expertise, including in relation to WTO and TRIPS opportunities. He highlighted the need to protect and promote local products through Geographical Indications and trademarks, noting the recent GI recognition for Ceylon Cinnamon and consideration of accession to the Madrid Protocol. He also stated that budget allocations had been made to strengthen the Intellectual Property Office, the Sri Lanka Standards Institution, and standards and accreditation laboratories to improve product safety, consumer confidence, and market access. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) AgriculturePublic FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
12 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama raised an Adjournment Matter on the salinity barrier constructed in 2022 in the lower reaches of the Nilwala River in Matara, stating that it has worsened flooding and disrupted livelihoods, transport, paddy cultivation and other activities across six downstream Divisional Secretary’s Divisions. He said the project had disregarded EIA and technical recommendations, reduced the river cross-section, and led to costly temporary measures, including over Rs. 100 million spent on pumping water. He called for an immediate joint process involving the Department of Irrigation, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board, the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka, and farmer organizations to agree and implement corrective measures. Adjournment Motion: Mitigation of Floods Caused by Nilwala Salinity Barrier InfrastructureAgricultureEnvironment Read →
12 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama said past policy decisions, particularly the chemical fertilizer and agrochemical ban, damaged agriculture and weakened farmer confidence, while current reforms aim to rebuild institutions under capable leadership. He argued that productivity must increase through science, research, new technologies, and stronger links with universities and research institutes, especially amid climate change, pests, floods, and droughts. He highlighted Budget allocations to priority reforms, including development of 29 seed farms over the next eight months and implementation of the Seed Act to provide certified, quality seeds with assured germination and varietal purity. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Agriculture Read →
5 March 2025 AI summary (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama stated that farmers affected by construction-related non-cultivation had been promised compensation, with a list prepared, but no payments had been made despite repeated assurances. He requested intervention to ensure the compensation is paid and proposed appointing a Parliamentary Committee or taking other measures to examine the matter. Oral Question: Nilwala River Salinity Barrier - Farmer Compensation (Q.5/2025) AgriculturePublic Finance Read →
5 March 2025 AI summary Prof. L.M. Abeywickrama raised concerns over prolonged flooding in the Matara District, which he attributed to the design and location of a salinity barrier built across the Nilwala River between 2018 and 2022. He said the barrier obstructed river flow, caused siltation, damaged crops and trees, created socio-economic hardship, and led to high diesel costs for pumping floodwater. He also questioned the handling of technical studies, alleging a conflict of interest and delays despite earlier university reports, and asked the Deputy Minister of Irrigation to intervene urgently to resolve the issue. Oral Question: Nilwala River Salinity Barrier - Farmer Compensation (Q.5/2025) Public FinanceInfrastructureEnvironment Read →
25 February 2025 AI summary Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama defended the Budget as a national, economy-wide plan prepared under severe poverty and food insecurity, rather than a set of sectoral allocations. He highlighted increased spending on education, school nutrition, rural transport, roads, seed production, smart agriculture, livestock, minor irrigation, research and development, and scientific waste management. He argued that these measures would support agriculture, industry, public services, and sectors such as tea and cinnamon, while rejecting Opposition claims on crime trends by citing homicide and grievous injury statistics for 2023 and 2024. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 (Continuation Day 7) Public FinanceAgricultureEducation Read →
22 February 2025 AI summary Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama informed Parliament that he accepted a petition from Mrs. M.M. Swarna of Puhulwella, Kirinda, Pahala Aramba. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
7 January 2025 AI summary Prof. Abeywickrama said the positive fiscal indicators in the Mid-Year Fiscal Position Report 2024 mask serious weaknesses in production sectors, especially agriculture, where growth and GDP contribution have declined due to inconsistent and politically driven policies. He cited the abrupt organic fertilizer shift, input restrictions, the Nilwala salt-barrier project, weakened extension services, and wildlife damage to home gardens as factors undermining farm livelihoods and food production. He called for a data- and science-based, step-by-step agricultural strategy under the Government’s “A Prosperous Country – A Beautiful Life” programme, with greater diversification beyond narrow staple-focused policies. Adjournment Debate: 2024 Mid-Year Fiscal Position Report Public FinanceAgriculture Read →