Hon. Namal Karunaratne, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Kurunegala

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock

Profession: Politician

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 135 #32 of 225·#16 in party

Attendance 6/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

135 speeches

12 March 2025 AI summary Most payments related to the matter have been made. However, a separate issue has emerged and is currently under investigation, with details withheld at this stage. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Public Finance Read →
12 March 2025 AI summary Acknowledging an identified issue, Namal Karunaratne stated that the existing system had been followed. He said corrective measures are being planned for the next season. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Agriculture Read →
12 March 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock corrected the Opposition Leader’s claim that compensation for crop damage had not been paid. He stated that Rs. 952 million had already been paid to affected farmers, including payments made before the end of the season for the first time. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Agriculture Read →
11 March 2025 AI summary Paddy farmers are now receiving satisfactory prices and there are no current protests over inability to sell their harvest. The Deputy Minister stated that farmer welfare remains the priority and that the Paddy Marketing Board has begun purchasing paddy in specified quantities, indicating that the earlier marketing difficulties are being addressed. Oral Question: Chicken Production and Supply in Sri Lanka (Q.1/2025) Agriculture Read →
11 March 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne clarified that his recent interventions related to the swine industry and not the location referred to by a Member. He stated that Sri Lanka is generally self-sufficient in eggs and produces substantial chicken meat, with limited imports allowed for specific consumer segments and private value addition or re-export. He added that the Government is pursuing full self-sufficiency and seeking market access in eight countries, including China, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia and Japan, for Sri Lankan chicken meat exports. Oral Question: Chicken Production and Supply in Sri Lanka (Q.1/2025) Agriculture Read →
11 March 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne, answering on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, provided yearwise data on Sri Lanka’s chicken meat production, exports and imports from 2010 to 2024, with production projected to reach 283,580 metric tons in 2025. He stated that chicken meat production is entirely private-sector led, while the State handles policy, regulation and facilitation. He outlined measures to expand the industry, including a plan to double production by 2029, increase domestic maize cultivation while importing 250,000 metric tons to prevent feed shortages, support exports to markets such as China, Singapore and the UAE, provide tax and import facilitation for inputs, and strengthen biosecurity, veterinary services and avian influenza surveillance. Oral Question: Chicken Production and Supply in Sri Lanka (Q.1/2025) Agriculture Read →
21 February 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne defended the Government’s first Budget, saying it should be assessed over the full five-year mandate and four remaining budgets, and argued that it does not burden the general public. He listed increased allocations and benefits for education, health, agriculture, welfare, irrigation, vocational training, fertilizer subsidies, public sector salaries, reduced fuel and electricity prices, and the proposed development bank to support rural livelihoods. He contrasted the Budget with previous administrations’ budgets, stating that ministerial and presidential privileges, official residences, vehicle use, and large vote-head allocations have been curtailed as part of a promised change in political culture. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) AgriculturePublic FinanceEducation Read →
7 February 2025 AI summary Namal Karunaratne stated that the Government would purchase paddy from farmers at the stipulated fair price and avoid practices he alleged occurred under the previous Government, such as selling state-held paddy as animal feed. He said all purchased paddy would be milled and released as Government-branded rice to consumers at prices below prevailing market rates. Oral Answers to Questions and Second Round Questions Cost of LivingAgriculture Read →
7 February 2025 AI summary The Hon. Namal Karunaratne indicated that his response had not yet been completed. No substantive argument, proposal, or policy position was presented in the provided excerpt. Oral Answers to Questions and Second Round Questions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
7 February 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Ministry would intervene if specific farmer details were provided, acknowledging past procedural failures including issues with non-remittance of premiums. He stated that arrears from the previous government had been cleared, all Yala-season compensation paid, Rs. 86 million already disbursed in 2025 for November damages, and remaining Maha payments targeted for completion within the month. He added that flood damage in Ampara and other areas was being assessed for compensation. Oral Answers to Questions and Second Round Questions Agriculture Read →
7 February 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne, answering for the Minister, outlined the agricultural insurance framework, identifying three main categories: crop, livestock and general insurance, including the National Crop Insurance Scheme for selected crops, loan-linked and voluntary crop insurance, and cover for equipment, health, accidents, warehouses and movable assets. He listed a wide range of covered crops and provided annual compensation figures for crop damage from 2015 to January 2025, with funding for the national scheme coming from the State Budget and the Crop Insurance Levy Fund, while other schemes are premium-funded. He said proposed measures to strengthen the Agriculture and Agrarian Insurance Board include expanding contributory schemes, improving financial stability, digitizing damage assessment and compensation, equipping field officers, using modern loss-monitoring technologies and introducing market-responsive insurance products. Oral Answers to Questions and Second Round Questions Agriculture Read →
8 January 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, the answer tabled stated that 17 institutions fall under the Ministry: 9 in agriculture, 2 in livestock, 3 in lands, and 3 in irrigation, with further details placed in the Library. It also reported that Mahaweli Livestock and Agricultural Enterprises (Private) Company is being restructured as a public-private partnership and that Cabinet decisions in 2015 and 2020 approved bringing it and Sri Lanka Poultry Development (Private) Company under the National Livestock Development Board, with implementation steps underway. Procedural Matters and Standing Order 27(2) Question on Prevention of Terrorism Act Agriculture Read →
8 January 2025 AI summary Hon. Namal Karunaratne stated that paddy purchases would not be handled solely by the Paddy Marketing Board, but also by Sathosa, the Co-operative Department and other institutions, so financing should not be a constraint. He reiterated support for a fair pricing formula based on production cost plus 30 per cent, citing the earlier Rs. 130 demand when production cost was Rs. 99.75. He said farmer fairness would be balanced with the Trade Ministry’s responsibility to protect consumers. Procedural Matters and Standing Order 27(2) Question on Prevention of Terrorism Act AgriculturePublic Finance Read →
8 January 2025 AI summary Namal Karunaratne stated that around 800,000 hectares had been cultivated during the Maha season, with only limited flood damage, and that total paddy production for the year was expected to reach about 4.5 million metric tons. He said the Government and Paddy Marketing Board have 352 warehouses, with renovations underway after years of neglect, and are preparing to purchase over 300,000 metric tons of paddy. He added that discussions had been held with small and medium-scale millers and farmer representatives, and that the Government would proceed with purchasing to address the situation. Procedural Matters and Standing Order 27(2) Question on Prevention of Terrorism Act Agriculture Read →
8 January 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne provided paddy production figures for 2015-2024 and a provisional 2025 Maha forecast, noting annual totals ranging from 2.383 million metric tons in 2017 to 5.149 million metric tons in 2021. He detailed Paddy Marketing Board purchases as a share of production, stating that government purchases were very low in recent years, including no Maha 2023 purchases, 2,153 MT in Yala 2023, 2,637 MT in Maha 2024, and 119 MT in Yala 2024. He said Sri Lanka has no fixed year-round paddy price, and that the PMB intervenes through seasonal guaranteed minimum prices, buffer stocks for food security, and rice releases through Sathosa and co-operatives during periods of price increases. Procedural Matters and Standing Order 27(2) Question on Prevention of Terrorism Act Public FinanceAgriculture Read →
7 January 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, it was stated that many pig farms have been affected by deaths due to African Swine Fever. The Ministry has held discussions with affected producers and is studying possible compensation or other relief measures, while noting that eligible small and medium-scale producers may obtain loan relief under Central Bank Circular No. 04 of 2024. A further notification will be made after a policy decision is reached. Oral Question: Death of Pigs Due to Epidemic Disease and Procedural Matters (Q.187/2024) Agriculture Read →
18 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Namal Karunaratne moved a procedural motion proposing that Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha take the Chair. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
18 December 2024 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, Namal Karunaratne tabled a response outlining planned paddy purchasing arrangements through district secretaries, the Paddy Marketing Board, subsidized loans to small and medium millers, and cooperatives and farmer organizations. The response stated that approximately 300,000 metric tons would be purchased, with minimum prices for the 2024/25 Maha season to be set by adding a 30% profit margin to production costs determined by the Department of Agriculture. The purchasing period was given as 15 January to 30 April 2025. Oral Questions (Questions 1–10) Agriculture Read →
18 December 2024 AI summary The Hon. Namal Karunaratne stated that the Government is prepared to proceed with purchasing paddy, despite what he described as inaction by previous administrations. He indicated that the process must begin from the current starting point and would move forward regardless. Oral Questions (Questions 1–10) Agriculture Read →
18 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Namal Karunaratne raised a procedural point that only two supplementary questions are permitted, noting that a third supplementary had been asked. Oral Questions (Questions 1–10) Parliamentary Procedure Read →