Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Mahanuwara

Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation

Profession: Politician

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 72 #69 of 225·#31 in party

Attendance 4/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

72 speeches

22 May 2026 AI summary The Minister provided tabulated information on major Mahaweli reservoirs and hydropower stations, including installed capacity, Moragahakanda generation from 2020 to March 2026, dates of commencement, approving Presidents, storage capacity, sediment data, and maintenance expenditure from 2021 to 2025. He stated that maintenance and operational activities are carried out periodically, with annual reports recording disaster risks, repairs, and structural stability. He noted that reservoir water releases cannot be made without reliable rainfall quantities and timing, and that sudden high-intensity rainfall floods cannot be fully controlled using current meteorological forecasts. He further stated that major irrigation reservoirs were designed and constructed according to planned engineering standards to withstand probable maximum rainfall, peak flood volumes, and related safety factors. Question No. 01 - 2003/2026 and Question No. 2004/2026 - Hydropower Capacity AgricultureInfrastructure Read →
19 May 2026 AI summary Minister K.D. Lal Kantha provided detailed data on Mahaweli Authority land distribution, stating that 304,290 acres have been alienated to 45,417 beneficiary families without clear title deeds, and that 10,995 acres remain unutilized for efficient economic activity. He said reallocations and action against irregular acquisitions are handled under relevant land laws with approvals from land-use, environmental, wildlife, forest, archaeology, industry and energy authorities, while a digital “e-SLIM Mahaweli” system is used to manage land records and issue permits and deeds. He also stated that long-term occupants may be granted ownership through legal mechanisms such as Land Kachcheri, and presented annual gross economic values from Mahaweli-related paddy, other crops, fisheries and hydropower, rising to Rs. 305,975 million in 2024. Written Answers to Questions Public FinanceAgricultureLand & Housing Read →
19 May 2026 AI summary Under Standing Order 120(4), the Minister presented a report on observations and actions taken regarding matters relating to the Land Reforms Commission that had been referred to in a COPE report. He moved that the report be referred to the Committee on Public Enterprises, and the motion was agreed to. Opening and Announcements Parliamentary Procedure Read →
7 May 2026 AI summary The Minister tabled a written answer regarding Vaddakkachchi Agriculture School and Farm, stating that it falls under the Northern Provincial Ministry and that the central Ministry does not hold primary land data. He reported that 52 acres are currently under the Northern Provincial Department of Agriculture and 165 acres under the Civil Security Department, with steps required among relevant central, provincial and district authorities to release the latter for provincial agricultural development programmes. He also stated that proposals to operationalise 416 acres have been submitted for approval and funding, and outlined ongoing crop varietal research and livestock genetic improvement efforts, noting that new animal breed discovery research is not currently undertaken. Ministry Statements: Agriculture, Poverty Alleviation EmploymentLand & HousingAgriculture Read →
5 May 2026 AI summary The Minister stated that no food production plan up to 2040 has been prepared, but a 2027–2029 plan exists for rice and additional food crops, alongside a 2025–2029 results framework and annual import-reduction forecasting. He outlined Rs. 2,000 million in 2026 Budget allocations for dairy development and breeding units, with a target of 75 per cent milk self-sufficiency by 2030, and proposed 2027–2030 mechanization initiatives including 200 machinery hubs, operator training, awareness programmes, technology promotion and field demonstrations. He said no specific year can yet be given for substantially eliminating imports of major food crops due to climatic, land, market and policy constraints, but import decisions are made annually using crop forecasts. Production data showed self-sufficiency or majority domestic supply in sesame, groundnuts, red onions, cowpea, green gram and finger millet, while maize, potatoes, big onions, soybeans and black gram remain more import-dependent. Closing: Written Answers and Hansard Publication Information Agriculture Read →
5 May 2026 AI summary Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha moved that Hon. Chanaka Madugoda take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha vacated the Chair and Hon. Madugoda presided. Adjournment Debate: Failure to Report Foreign Debt Repayment Diversion to Parliament Parliamentary Procedure Read →
5 May 2026 AI summary The Minister stated that the cost of production for paddy changes over time and that the earlier Rs. 150 per kilogram figure reflected the exceptional period of fertilizer shortages and high input costs. He said the cost of production would be recalculated for the Yala season, that the Paddy Marketing Board price may change from Rs. 120, and that support measures and subsidies would be adjusted to maintain stability while reflecting increased costs. Procedural and Main Business: Adjournment Motion Request and Agriculture Statement Public FinanceAgriculture Read →
5 May 2026 AI summary The Minister provided figures on paddy procurement, stating that 49,552 metric tons were purchased in the 2025 Yala season at a cost of Rs. 6,300 million, while 49,780.748 metric tons had been purchased in the 2025/26 Maha season by 19 March 2026 at a cost of Rs. 5,982.373 million, with a target of 80,000 metric tons. He said 2,978 metric tons had been released to SATOSA without loss, storage capacity was sufficient subject to renting warehouses where needed, and farmer protests concerned wet paddy, which the Paddy Marketing Board does not purchase. He explained that the Rs. 120 minimum procurement price for standard paddy includes production cost, drying cost, and a 26–30 per cent profit margin, and reported that storm-related crop losses would reduce the expected Maha harvest from 2.66 million to 2.58 million metric tons. He added that Maha and Yala production were expected to meet national rice needs overall, but Cabinet had approved a limited import of Samba/Keeri Samba substitute rice grades due to shortfalls in those varieties, with relevant annexes placed in the Library. Procedural and Main Business: Adjournment Motion Request and Agriculture Statement Agriculture Read →
5 May 2026 AI summary The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation began responding to a question raised by Hon. Sajith Premadasa under Standing Order 27(2). He indicated that the response would address, first, the total quantity of paddy purchased by the Government during the 2025 Yala season and the related expenditure. Procedural and Main Business: Adjournment Motion Request and Agriculture Statement Agriculture Read →
7 April 2026 AI summary The Minister reported that title registration has been implemented in 138 Divisional Secretaries’ Divisions, with 951,096 land parcels completed and 482,139 title certificates issued for private parcels by 31 December 2025, supported by 1,059 staff. He outlined proposed amendments to the Registration of Title Act, No. 21 of 1998, including changes to institutional designations, expanded registrar appointments, cadastral map procedures, digital extracts, fee provisions, correction and rectification powers, and treatment of grants and acquired land in the title register. A draft incorporating these reforms is being prepared for submission to Cabinet approval. Written Answers to Questions Public FinanceLand & Housing Read →
27 November 2025 AI summary Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha moved a Committee Stage amendment to the Appropriation Bill under Head 337, Programme 02, transferring revised recurrent and capital provisions for the Department of Cinnamon Development to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation in line with Extraordinary Gazette No. 2458/65. He then moved that the Committee report progress and sought leave to sit again. He also moved for approval, under Section 14 of the Finance Act No. 38 of 1971, of the Paddy Marketing Board Annual Reports for 2017 and 2018 with Auditor General’s observations, both of which were agreed to, before moving the adjournment of Parliament. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Parliamentary ProcedureAgriculturePublic Finance Read →
27 November 2025 AI summary Hon. K. D. Lal Kantha formally moved an amendment during the Committee Stage of the Appropriation Bill, 2026, relating to Head 292, Programme 02. No substantive explanation or policy argument is included in the provided excerpt. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
27 November 2025 AI summary K. D. Lal Kantha moved an amendment during the Committee Stage of the Appropriation Bill, 2026, relating to Head 118, Programme 02. No further details or arguments were provided in the quoted speech. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
27 November 2025 AI summary K. D. Lal Kantha, on behalf of the Minister of Finance, moved a Committee Stage amendment to the Appropriation Bill, 2026, relating to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation. The amendment sought to replace the relevant figures on page 19 with allocations of Rs. 90.15 billion for recurrent expenditure and Rs. 138.9 billion for capital expenditure. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Public Finance Read →
27 November 2025 AI summary Minister K. D. Lal Kantha said the Government’s Food Security Committee is functioning effectively, noting that no Opposition member had cited shortages of staple foods or excessive prices during the debate. He emphasized that the Government’s priorities are ensuring food security and improving farmers’ incomes, while proceeding with measures to relocate unauthorised settlers from tank reservations, floodplains, forest reserves and elephant corridors by providing alternative land, grants and facilities. He acknowledged proposals from Members regarding land, irrigation and water losses, thanked parliamentary and ministry staff, and noted cross-party agreement to forgo a division so Members could return to districts affected by disasters. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) AgricultureLand & Housing Read →
27 November 2025 AI summary K.D. Lal Kantha noted that a motion on the matter had been presented the previous day at the time the House was adjourned. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
27 November 2025 AI summary K.D. Lal Kantha stated that although complaints regarding agricultural matters are reaching ministers, district officials and the Agrarian Development Department, the issue is not a lack of Treasury funding but implementation at ground level. He urged farmers to carry out their responsibilities properly and on time. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Agriculture Read →
27 November 2025 AI summary Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha said his Ministry has a broad mandate covering about 20 institutions and 10 departments, and urged both Government and Opposition to discuss the full scope of its budget allocations rather than only a few issues. Addressing the fertilizer subsidy, he said effective implementation depends on farmer organizations and farmers attending meetings convened by Agricultural Research and Production Assistants and providing accurate, timely details such as cultivated acreage and bank account numbers. He noted that incorrect or delayed information disrupts payments, cited difficulties in Monaragala where officials had to collect details door to door, and acknowledged around 4,000 vacancies among these officers, which the Ministry is working to address. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) AgriculturePublic Finance Read →
27 November 2025 AI summary Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha said the debate on the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation should reflect the Ministry’s full mandate, not only issues such as fertilizer shortages and crop prices. He listed the departments, boards, companies, research bodies, land and survey institutions, livestock entities, irrigation projects and related authorities under the Ministry, highlighting areas such as export agriculture, cinnamon development, agrarian insurance, post-harvest management and major irrigation schemes. He urged Members on both sides to consider this broad institutional and policy scope when discussing the Ministry’s allocations. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) InfrastructureAgricultureLand & Housing Read →
27 November 2025 AI summary Minister K.D. Lal Kantha requested the Opposition to avoid calling a Division on the Ministry’s Heads of Expenditure, citing the ongoing disaster situation affecting several districts and provinces. He argued that summoning Members for a vote would hinder their ability to attend to urgent relief and intervention work, and asked that the Opposition’s protest be recorded while allowing the Heads to pass without division. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) EnvironmentAgricultureParliamentary Procedure Read →