Hon. Namal Karunaratne, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Kurunegala

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock

Profession: Politician

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Speeches 135 #32 of 225·#16 in party

Attendance 6/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

135 speeches

10 June 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Government was managing external economic pressures while restoring growth, reserves, relief measures, and agricultural support. He rejected claims that fertilizer payments were being withheld, stating that subsidies are paid only for cultivated land and that 571,025 farmers had been credited, with the two-hectare subsidy doubled from Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 60,000. He outlined fertilizer procurement and distribution at subsidized prices through Agrarian Service Centres and said the Government was reimbursing eligible purchases and extending assistance to intercropping on paddy lands. He also defended the Government’s paddy pricing policy, citing guaranteed prices based on production cost plus 30 percent, and said preparations were underway for possible El Niño/La Niña-related food security risks. Debate: Central Bank Rules on Export Proceeds Repatriation and Essential Public Services Resolution Cost of LivingPublic FinanceAgriculture Read →
9 June 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister, answering on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, said aquatic plants have spread in the Karavahu River and five small tanks and “onion” ponds, obstructing water flow, causing siltation, and reducing storage capacity. He stated that estimates are being prepared and that the Department of Irrigation plans to remove aquatic plants from maintained tanks within the year, subject to requested provisions. In response to a supplementary question, he said machinery issues are being addressed for silt and weed removal, and noted allocations for Gal Oya Project maintenance and rehabilitation, including Rs. 900 million last year and Rs. 500 million this year, with further allocations planned. Oral Questions 1-10 AgricultureEnvironmentInfrastructure Read →
22 May 2026 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, the answer was tabled to a question on goraka cultivation. It stated that district-wise estimated cultivation extent for 2025 was provided in an annex and outlined measures to promote cultivation, including export-oriented agricultural villages, market price publicity, free plant distribution, investment support, farmer training, media-based technical guidance, and research dissemination. The final part of the question was recorded as not applicable. Oral Questions: Multiple Questions Tabled (Q.7-9, and Agricultural questions) Agriculture Read →
22 May 2026 AI summary On behalf of the relevant Minister, the Deputy Minister tabled details on land permit applications in the Lahugala Divisional Secretariat area under Circular 2008/04. He stated that 938 applications had been submitted, including 286 from persons belonging to Pottuvil DS Division, but no permits had been issued under the Circular, while 1,478 new permits had been issued by the Lahugala Divisional Secretariat and 712 applications remained pending. Delays were attributed to boundary disputes with Wildlife and Forest Conservation lands, staff shortages, disputes after Land Kachcheri selections, and prior alienation of some lands; a mobile service is to be held in Lahugala to expedite permits for eligible applicants. Oral Questions: Multiple Questions Tabled (Q.7-9, and Agricultural questions) Public FinanceLand & Housing Read →
19 May 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock requested one month’s time to provide an answer to the question raised. The question was ordered to stand down, and the next listed question by Hon. Shanakkian Rasamanickam received no response. Procedural Matters and Oral Questions (Standing Order Issues) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 March 2026 AI summary Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne said the Government is managing current global fuel and supply pressures from a stronger economic position than the previous administration, with reserves of USD 7 billion. He assured farmers that there is no fertilizer shortage for the Yala season, said Government will purchase available fertilizer stocks directly and distribute them through farmer organizations, and warned against black-market purchases. He also outlined a simplified fuel distribution process for farmers and cited compensation payments and import controls as part of measures to strengthen agriculture and food security, adding that rice stocks and planned cultivation would prevent a shortage. Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Cost of LivingPublic FinanceAgriculture Read →
19 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Namal Karunaratne stated that the fertiliser subsidy has been increased from Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 50,000 for two hectares, while intercropped farmers on paddy lands are receiving Rs. 30,000 in fertiliser support. He said the Government will procure fertiliser stocks directly from companies and distribute them through Agrarian Service Centres and farmer organisations to avoid intermediaries, while investigations continue into past exports of urea, TSP and MOP. He also outlined simplified fuel certification and distribution procedures for farmers, assuring that fuel and fertiliser requirements would be met without unnecessary queues or added costs. Oral Question: Banana Cultivators in Ratnapura District: Issues (Q.1502/2025) Agriculture Read →
19 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Namal Karunaratne reported on consultations with banana farmers and visits to key banana markets where unsold produce was being discarded, noting that Ambul prices remain volatile despite satisfactory prices for Kolikuttu and Seeni. He said the Government is formulating a plan to support banana farmers through export promotion with private-sector partnerships, small-scale value addition, credit facilitation, and a state-supported processing framework to improve farmer returns and generate foreign exchange. Oral Question: Banana Cultivators in Ratnapura District: Issues (Q.1502/2025) Public FinanceAgricultureEmployment Read →
19 March 2026 AI summary On behalf of the Agriculture Minister, the Deputy Minister stated that 1,987.2 hectares are under banana cultivation in the Ratnapura District, involving 3,019 families in Ambilipitiya and the Chandrika Wewa Division of the Mahaweli Walawa Special Area. He acknowledged that seasonal market gluts and fruit price fluctuations reduce banana farmers’ incomes. He said the Ministry and Mahaweli Authority are promoting exports, value-added production, concessional credit, and subsidies for wells, bunch covers, pumps, tissue-culture plants and ladders, with Rs. 18.62 million spent for 169 beneficiaries, while exporters currently pay about Rs. 150 per kilogram for quality Ambul bananas. Oral Question: Banana Cultivators in Ratnapura District: Issues (Q.1502/2025) Agriculture Read →
5 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Namal Karunaratne stated that current eligibility criteria rely on registered farmer lists, but data on unregistered dairy farmers who have lost animals is also being reviewed. He said cases with supporting evidence are receiving special attention, though no definitive commitment can yet be made as discussions are still ongoing. Oral Question (Standing Order 27(2)): Large-scale Cattle Deaths in Northern Province Agriculture Read →
5 March 2026 AI summary Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne said 14,235 cattle and buffaloes died in the Northern Province, and Rs. 900.49 million had been allocated for compensation under National Budget Circular 08/2025(1)8, with Rs. 258.85 million already paid. He outlined compensation rates for registered farms, emergency support including free medicines, mobile veterinary clinics, and 266,650 kilograms of feed distributed after Cyclone “Ditwah” and floods. He said recovery would continue through the Dairy Hub programme, prioritized provincial projects, and an 18-month Rs. 2,500 million World Bank-supported plan focused on feed, animal welfare, health, infrastructure, and genetic improvement, alongside measures such as permanent shelters, fodder development, farm registration, insurance, and concessional loans. Oral Question (Standing Order 27(2)): Large-scale Cattle Deaths in Northern Province AgriculturePublic FinanceEnvironment Read →
5 March 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Government agrees in principle with proposals aimed at increasing agricultural production. He stated that, with the Deputy Minister from Ampara, the Ministry would discuss the feasible proposals and prepare a programme for implementation, while expressing appreciation for the intervention. Oral Question: Cattle in Ampara District (Q.5) Agriculture Read →
5 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Namal Karunaratne said the Government would consider the proposed silage programme and develop an implementation plan. He outlined measures to raise daily milk production from about 1 million litres to 3 million litres by 2029, including dairy hubs, farmer networks, free vaccinations, fodder and feed support, cold-chain facilities, imported breeding bulls, and artificial insemination. He also noted that the Badalgama milk factory is planned to open mid next year and will require about 200,000 litres of milk per day, requiring further production promotion. Oral Question: Cattle in Ampara District (Q.5) Agriculture Read →
5 March 2026 AI summary On behalf of the Minister, the Deputy Minister confirmed that steps have been taken regarding grazing lands, but identified obstacles including settlements on such lands, pending court cases, and seasonal competition between paddy cultivation and livestock farming for irrigable land. He stated that Pottuvil produces about 4,500 litres of milk daily and currently has adequate collection and chilling capacity through one Milkman Company facility and three private centres, with scope to expand if production increases. Oral Question: Cattle in Ampara District (Q.5) Agriculture Read →
5 March 2026 AI summary Yields had previously fallen due to environmental and climatic factors, but production is now improving. The Deputy Minister said the Government would support cultivation through inputs and technology while intervening in purchasing prices and marketing to protect farmers. He also noted that export earnings in 2025 had increased compared with earlier years and undertook to address the concerns raised. Oral Question: Export of Minor Export Crops Since 2015 (Q.2) Agriculture Read →
5 March 2026 AI summary Acknowledging concerns raised, the Deputy Minister said Sri Lanka’s minor export crops, including pepper, have strong premium-market demand but had faced reputational damage from past malpractices involving re-exports labelled as Sri Lankan. He said corrective action is being taken with the Trade Ministry and the Food Security Committee, while the Government is distributing planting material, providing inputs, and expanding export villages. He also noted proposals to promote value addition, including a pepper oil plant, and to address crop disease through research and management programmes. Oral Question: Export of Minor Export Crops Since 2015 (Q.2) Public FinanceAgriculture Read →
5 March 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister, answering on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, listed Sri Lanka’s main export agricultural crops, including spices, coffee, cocoa, arecanut, betel, kithul products, and related value-added oils and oleoresins. He stated that crop-wise export revenue data for 2015–2025, including detailed cinnamon figures, had been provided in annexes. He outlined measures to improve export performance, including GAP and GMP certification, post-harvest and value-addition support, organic and fair-trade certification assistance, productivity improvements, farmer training, buyer linkages, export-oriented agriculture villages, cultivation expansion, and research programmes. Oral Question: Export of Minor Export Crops Since 2015 (Q.2) Agriculture Read →
4 March 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Government purchase price for Nadu paddy has improved farmers’ margins compared with the position when the Government took office, and noted that Rs. 120 per kg provides better returns for some varieties such as Red Nadu. He explained that under the Paddy Marketing Board Act No. 14 of 1971, PMB can only accept paddy with moisture up to 14 percent, and amendments are being prepared to address related constraints. He said the Government is installing paddy dryers, including two in Thalawa, with plans to cover Ampara and link dryers to PMB warehouses with private sector participation, to prevent farmers selling at lower prices due to insufficient drying facilities. Oral Question: Paddy Purchasing and Guaranteed Prices (Q.1347/2025) Agriculture Read →
3 March 2026 AI summary Namal Karunaratne stated that a problem had arisen regarding the supervision allowance and that discussions had begun to resolve it. He said a response would be provided in due course to the ARPAs on the matter. Oral Question: Agricultural Research and Production Assistants (Q.913/2025) Public Finance Read →
3 March 2026 AI summary Funds for fertilizer were provided in two tranches before cultivation, but some farmers have not received the second payment due to administrative delays, including a shortage of about 4,000 officers, which the government intends to address through recruitment. He said compensation following the “8941” cyclone was expanded beyond six crops to all affected crops and livestock, increasing the workload on officials and causing delays now being rectified. He also stated that rehabilitation of tanks, anicuts, and canals has begun after the “8960” cyclone, with funds allocated and inter-departmental issues being addressed. Oral Question: Agricultural Research and Production Assistants (Q.913/2025) Agriculture Read →