Hon. Aravinda Senarath, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Hambantota

Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation

Profession: Teacher

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 94 #51 of 225·#24 in party

Attendance 2/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

94 speeches

20 May 2026 AI summary In response to Question No. 643/2025, the Deputy Minister stated that 11.53 hectares of black gram were cultivated by 4,828 farmers in the Mahaweli “H” Zone during the 2025/26 Maha season, while cultivation for the 2026 Yala season had not yet begun. He said no issue arose regarding the sale of produce at a fair price during that season, making related follow-up questions not applicable. Procedural: Motions and Privilege Matter Agriculture Read →
20 May 2026 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, Aravinda Senarath requested two weeks to respond to the matter. The question was ordered to stand down. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1-Q.7) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 May 2026 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, Aravinda Senarath requested two weeks to respond to the question. The question was ordered to stand down. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1-Q.7) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 May 2026 AI summary Aravinda Senarath stated that fertilizer shortages affecting the Yala season were caused by global wartime disruptions and export restrictions, not domestic policy. He said the Government had agreed on a programme with fertilizer companies, officials and farmer leaders to supply 65% of requirements through the Department of Agrarian Development and 35% through open-market company outlets. He acknowledged delays and distribution shortcomings, including in Polonnaruwa, but said priority-based distribution and an increased subsidy were being implemented to ensure fair access for farmers. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1-Q.7) Agriculture Read →
20 May 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister said Sri Lanka has not met its domestic black gram requirement and that plans are being prepared with the Ministry of Agriculture to support increased cultivation. He stated that farmers cultivating encroached lands may be regularized under a planned programme, with the Mahaweli Authority studying suitable areas and extents for formal land grants. He noted that past land alienation had often been influenced by political patronage rather than national objectives. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1-Q.7) Land & HousingAgriculture Read →
19 May 2026 AI summary Aravinda Senarath stated that any use of the institute’s land and resources must be considered within its mandate and legal framework. He said the Department would study the legal provisions regarding allowing local students to benefit from these resources and, if feasible, implement changes and develop an appropriate plan. Oral Questions: Department of Wildlife Conservation and Other Questions Land & HousingEducation Read →
19 May 2026 AI summary Aravinda Senarath stated that there is no legal impediment to enrollment at the institute, but intake limits under previous administrations resulted in no cohorts being recruited for about three years. He said the Department plans to restart enrollments this year, with advertisements already published, qualifications under review, and preliminary steps underway. Oral Questions: Department of Wildlife Conservation and Other Questions EducationPublic Finance Read →
19 May 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister, responding on behalf of the Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Minister, provided details on the Irrigation Training Institute in Galgamuwa, established on 1 January 1959 on a 16-acre site with 36 buildings and 31 current staff. He stated that the institute trains technical and other irrigation staff, conducts induction and in-service courses, Efficiency Bar Examinations, water management and field training, and survey camps, with 1,260 trainees having completed the Engineering Assistant Diploma since the first 35-student intake in 1959. He noted that the most recent diploma intake was in 2014 and that training functions are also linked to the Kotmale International Irrigation and Water Management Training Institute. Oral Questions: Department of Wildlife Conservation and Other Questions EducationAgriculture Read →
7 April 2026 AI summary Deputy Minister Aravinda Senarath discussed the role of COPA and COPE under Standing Orders 119 and 120, arguing that they must move beyond audit discussions to effective follow-up on fraud, corruption and institutional inefficiency. He cited recent COPA actions, including recovery of payments for excess or misused fuel by former provincial officials, and examples of irregular conduct such as improper vehicle registration. He supported proposed amendments to Standing Orders to allow Parliament, after debate on COPA recommendations and ministerial observations, to refer findings of fraud or corruption to bodies such as the CID or the Bribery Commission for legal action. Debate: Amendment of Standing Orders 119(4) and 120(4) and Committee Stage Corruption & Governance ReformParliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →
7 April 2026 AI summary The Ministry stated that while earlier global supply issues have since normalized, the prolonged retention of the stock in a single store requires investigation. Officials have been instructed to examine why it was not distributed and to report promptly so that appropriate action can be taken. Oral Question: Aswesuma Programme - Appeals and Objections Public Finance Read →
7 April 2026 AI summary The Member states that, according to the Fertilizer Secretariat, Urea fertilizer has not deteriorated and is certified as usable for the current season, so there is no obstacle to its release. He adds that tests are still being conducted on MOP fertilizer to determine its suitability before it is released to the market. Oral Question: Aswesuma Programme - Appeals and Objections Agriculture Read →
7 April 2026 AI summary Answering on behalf of the Agriculture Minister, Aravinda Senarath confirmed that the Tambuttegama Agrarian Service Centre holds 41,828.95 kg of MOP fertilizer and 0.307 metric tons of urea, with the MOP stored since June 2023 and the urea since the 2022/2023 Maha season. He said the stock came under an Asian Development Bank-supported concessional fertilizer programme and remained largely unsold because it arrived after Yala 2023 cultivation needs were met and the centre could not frequently adjust prices to compete with private suppliers. He outlined past sales at revised prices and said farmers were informed through field officers, committees, farmer organizations and seasonal meetings, with credit purchases enabled through the Agrarian Bank, but no definite date could be given for clearing the remaining stock. Oral Question: Aswesuma Programme - Appeals and Objections Agriculture Read →
7 April 2026 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, the Deputy Minister requested two weeks to provide an answer to the question. The question was accordingly ordered to stand down. Oral Question: Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children - Waiting Lists (Q.1030/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
19 March 2026 AI summary Aravinda Senarath stated that the matter would proceed only with transparency and community agreement, with efforts to minimise harm. He said resettlement, compensation, and livelihood restoration for affected persons would be handled through institutional coordination and a careful operational plan to ensure fairness. Oral Question: Proposed Vee-Oya Project: Details (Q.1544/2025) Land & HousingPublic Finance Read →
19 March 2026 AI summary The Department of Irrigation will lead planning and implementation of the project, with studies and reporting already carried out by officials. Delays were attributed to fiscal constraints and limited prior attention, but an operational plan is now being progressed in stages with a target to commence in 2027. Oral Question: Proposed Vee-Oya Project: Details (Q.1544/2025) Infrastructure Read →
19 March 2026 AI summary Deputy Minister Aravinda Senarath, answering on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, said the proposed Vee Oya reservoir near Yatiyantota is intended to support potable water supply, Kelani River flood mitigation, dry-season flow regulation for Colombo and surrounding areas, and possible hydropower generation. He stated that detailed design is underway under the CResMPA project, with implementation envisaged in 2027 subject to Cabinet approval, completed assessments, and World Bank support. He further said EIA and SIA reports are being prepared, preliminary studies identify 203 housing losses and 13 business losses, and landslide-risk studies by the National Building Research Organisation will inform design measures. Oral Question: Proposed Vee-Oya Project: Details (Q.1544/2025) InfrastructurePublic FinanceEnvironment Read →
17 March 2026 AI summary Deputy Minister Aravinda Senarath said the Government is strengthening CIABOC by improving officers’ salaries, allowances and facilities to ensure independent action against bribery and corruption. He argued that the economic collapse resulted from past corruption and misuse of public funds, and rejected Opposition criticism that the Government had failed to manage recent crises, citing the response to the Ditcha cyclone and current global fuel pressures. He said measures had been taken to address farmers’ fuel needs and prevent fertilizer profiteering, including agreed urea prices of Rs. 9,500 per 50 kg bag through private firms and Rs. 9,000 through the State fertilizer company. Continuation of Debate: CIABOC Remuneration and Service Conditions Corruption & Governance ReformPublic FinanceCost of Living Read →
4 March 2026 AI summary Aravinda Senarath said the Government recognizes the importance of village-level minor irrigation and ellangawa cascade systems in districts such as Mullaitivu and Vavuniya, alongside major, medium and Mahaweli schemes. He noted that while all tanks in the district may not be completed within the next year, the “Wari Mahima – Ape Urumaya” programme is prioritizing the Vanni districts following requests from the coordinating committee, with special attention to rehabilitation of these systems. Oral Question: Irrigation Tanks and Cascade Systems in Vavuniya (Q.1406/2025) AgricultureInfrastructure Read →
4 March 2026 AI summary Issues with paddy purchasing in the North were raised in the Ministerial Advisory Committee, and it was stated that the Paddy Marketing Board has begun purchases despite local challenges. The Ministry will consider the request for faster action, ensure fairness to farmers, and provide further details to the Member. Oral Question: Irrigation Tanks and Cascade Systems in Vavuniya (Q.1406/2025) Agriculture Read →
3 March 2026 AI summary The Hon. Aravinda Senarath stated that a date would be discussed, fixed, and communicated in due course. He added that arrangements would be made to facilitate the participation of all Members of Parliament from the Ampara District. Oral Question: Police Stations and Officers (Q.?/2025) with Supplementaries Parliamentary Procedure Read →