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

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Mahanuwara

Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation

Profession: Politician

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Speeches 72 #69 of 225·#31 in party

Attendance 4/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

72 speeches

26 November 2025 AI summary The Minister accepted Hon. Dayasiri’s motion as sincere and constructive, stating that the Government would implement it and consider any further suggestions. The sitting then passed 6.30 p.m., and Parliament was adjourned until 9.00 a.m. on 27 November 2025 in accordance with the earlier resolution. Adjournment Debate: Grant of Freehold Deeds to Occupants of State Lands Parliamentary Procedure Read →
26 November 2025 AI summary The Minister supported the proposal to appoint a task-oriented working group to expedite the issuance of land deeds. He said deeds already signed by the former President would be issued, while pending cases would be addressed by obtaining letters and consent from co-residents, with a plan to complete the process within six months. He also undertook to review the relevant circular and amend it if it conflicts with the Cabinet decision, noting points raised by Hon. Ajith P. Perera and Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara. Adjournment Debate: Grant of Freehold Deeds to Occupants of State Lands Land & Housing Read →
26 November 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that the Government agrees in principle with Hon. Ajith P. Perera’s four proposals and will examine whether the circular deviated from the Cabinet decision, noting that any inconsistency would be corrected. He distinguished the new “Gihimikama” deed programme from the former “Urumaya” scheme, saying it requires consent from other household members and is intended to prevent unnecessary land fragmentation while enabling proper transfer of ownership. He said eligibility under the current programme is based on permits issued under the Land Development Ordinance as at the Cabinet approval date of 21 July 2025, with permits issued afterward to be handled separately if necessary. He added that previously signed approvals under the former administration would be honoured and that the Government’s objective is to issue deeds to long-waiting occupants of state land. Adjournment Debate: Grant of Freehold Deeds to Occupants of State Lands Public FinanceLand & Housing Read →
26 November 2025 AI summary A Committee Report was presented to the House by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation. No substantive policy argument, proposal, or debate contribution was made beyond indicating that the report had been submitted. Adjournment Debate: Grant of Freehold Deeds to Occupants of State Lands Agriculture Read →
11 November 2025 AI summary Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha moved that Hon. Chanaka Madugoda take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which Hon. (Mrs.) Sagarika Athauda left the Chair and Hon. Chanaka Madugoda assumed it. Debate: Second Reading of 2026 Budget Bill (Day 3, Afternoon/Evening) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
11 November 2025 AI summary Minister K.D. Lal Kantha said the Government had intervened to address marketing and pricing problems arising from increased potato and big onion production, including Sathosa purchases, import duties, and plans to set next season farmgate guaranteed prices of Rs. 150 per kilo for big onions and Rs. 220–240 for potatoes. He argued that consumer prices may need to reflect these farmer support prices, while targeted adjustments would be needed for those unable to afford them. He also linked agricultural problem-solving to strengthening the public service, citing salary increases, proposed recruitment of 75,000 public servants, recent appointments in surveying and GIS, and a Cabinet-approved plan to regularize 9,800 long-term casual workers in ministry institutions. Debate: Second Reading of 2026 Budget Bill (Day 3, Afternoon/Evening) AgricultureCost of LivingPublic Finance Read →
21 October 2025 AI summary The Minister said the Government has set Yala 2025 minimum paddy purchase prices based on district-wise production costs plus a 30 per cent margin, with the Paddy Marketing Board and private buyers purchasing through supervised mechanisms to secure fair farmer prices while keeping rice affordable. He reported that the PMB had procured 48,705.984 metric tons by 17 September 2025 and said rice imports remain controlled by permit, with imports considered only on Food Policy and Security Committee recommendation and Cabinet approval if shortages or unaffordable prices arise. He addressed varietal pricing, fertilizer availability, yield trends and production costs, arguing that reduced fertilizer prices have lowered cultivation costs and that current minimum prices provide farmers a margin above cost. He added that consumer protection measures, price controls, Lak Sathosa sales, cooperative channels and improved cultivation practices are being used to stabilize the rice market and meet the national annual requirement of about 4.8 million metric tons. Ministerial Statement: Fair Prices for Paddy Cost of LivingAgriculturePublic Finance Read →
9 October 2025 AI summary The Minister argued that political decay, corruption and poor governance were the root causes of Sri Lanka’s wider economic and social collapse, and said the Government’s first priority has been to stabilize governance and change the political culture. He claimed the administration had ensured peaceful elections without reprisals or violence and created conditions for policy implementation under a corruption-free framework. On agriculture, he said the Government had intervened to secure fairer prices for paddy and big onion farmers, including through duty adjustments and purchases by Sathosa and supermarket chains, and highlighted the “Yaya 500” programme to improve productivity through coordinated irrigation, fertilizer and agronomic support. He stated that reduced public agitation reflected public confidence in Government action, and rejected calls for another immediate election after recent presidential and local authority polls. Adjournment Debate: Implementation of Manifesto - Multiple Speakers Cost of LivingCorruption & Governance ReformAgriculture Read →
7 October 2025 AI summary Presented the 2022/2023 Annual Report of the C/C Colombo Commercial Fertilizer Company and moved that it be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability, which was agreed to. Also presented, under Standing Order 119(4), reports on observations and actions taken by the Ministry of Irrigation and the Department of Irrigation on matters raised by the Committee on Public Accounts, and moved their referral to that Committee, which was also agreed to. Papers Presented - Annual Reports and Ministry Reports AgricultureParliamentary Procedure Read →
10 September 2025 AI summary K.D. Lal Kantha, Minister of Agriculture and Lands, stated that if the Monaragala District Coordinating Committee passes a resolution and sends it to the Ministry, approval will be granted. The remark indicates that ministerial action is contingent on a formal DCC resolution. Adjournment Debate: Fair Guaranteed Price for Paddy Agriculture Read →
10 September 2025 AI summary Minister K.D. Lal Kantha stated that the Paddy Marketing Board had intervened more effectively in the Yala season through direct purchases and by facilitating bank credit for paddy storage and mill owners. He said the Rs. 120 per kilogram indicative price was based on verified production costs plus a 30 per cent profit margin, not a fixed permanent rate, and that higher prices would apply only if costs rose. He acknowledged logistical constraints, including limited PMB depots, moisture standards, and inadequate dryers, which had allowed some private buyers to pay below Rs. 120 in certain areas. He said the Government intended to rebuild PMB capacity, maintain buffer stocks, and continue support such as timely fertilizer assistance. Adjournment Debate: Fair Guaranteed Price for Paddy Public FinanceAgriculture Read →
9 September 2025 AI summary In response to concerns about compensation in Kilinochchi, the Minister stated that 1,398 farmers covering 279 acres had been recorded and Rs. 27 million had been paid through the Agricultural Insurance Board and direct Government support. He referred to an annex containing the affected numbers, acreage and payments, and said the matter could be re-examined if claims of non-payment remained. Procedural and Standing Order 27(2) Questions Agriculture Read →
9 September 2025 AI summary Minister K.D. Lal Kantha stated that floods damaged approximately 83,252 acres and affected about 70,540 farmers, including 52,635 acres of paddy land. He said district assessments were conducted under the nationwide free insurance and Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board schemes, and Rs. 1,450 million had been paid to affected farmers across 24 districts through bank account credits. He added that the compensation programme applied equally to the North, East, and all other districts, with details tabled in an annex. Procedural and Standing Order 27(2) Questions Agriculture Read →
9 September 2025 AI summary The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation presented the 2022 Performance Report of the Department of Agrarian Development. He moved that the report be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Sustainable Resource Management, and the motion was agreed to. Papers Tabled and Committee Reports Parliamentary ProcedureAgriculture Read →
20 May 2025 AI summary K.D. Lal Kantha said the Gazette process was intended to inform relevant authorities, including Divisional and District Secretaries. He proposed that the Attorney-General, members, and officials meet the committee on the 23rd to reach a definitive decision, including whether the Gazette should be legally halted if necessary. Adjournment Motion: Land Settlement Gazette Notification 2430/2025 (Tamil Lands in North and East) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 May 2025 AI summary Minister K.D. Lal Kantha addressed concerns that Forest and Wildlife Department demarcations in the North have included lands historically used by residents, stating that a Cabinet-appointed committee with the Environment Minister will propose measures to return verifiable lands promptly. He said a contested Gazette covering four districts and four Divisional Secretariat divisions would be reviewed, with legal and procedural decisions to be discussed on 23 May in Parliament under the Prime Minister’s leadership with the Attorney-General, North and East MPs, and officials. He emphasized that the Government has no intention of appropriating people’s lands and, if necessary, would halt the Gazette in accordance with the law. Adjournment Motion: Land Settlement Gazette Notification 2430/2025 (Tamil Lands in North and East) Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionLand & Housing Read →
20 May 2025 AI summary Minister K.D. Lal Kantha stated that the Government’s objective is to regularize land ownership and grant titles to those who can establish valid claims in four northern districts: Jaffna, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi and Mannar. He said concerns should be raised at the meeting on the 23rd, and that while the relevant Gazette could be suspended if necessary, doing so would delay returning land to people. He assured that lands without established claims would remain with the State, but not for arbitrary acquisition, and that no one’s land would be seized. Standing Order 27(2) Matter: Public Security and Gang Violence; Special Statement on Tamil Genocide Memorial Land & Housing Read →
20 May 2025 AI summary K.D. Lal Kantha stated that the Government’s land process in the North and East is intended to regularize and return unresolved lands from the war period, not to acquire them, and assured that no land would be acquired. He said claimants could prove ownership through documents or attestations, while noting that settlement completion in the North and East lags behind the rest of the country. He proposed a discussion in Parliament with the Prime Minister, Attorney-General and officials to clarify concerns, adding that the Gazette could be paused if necessary but that doing so would delay land regularization for affected constituents. Standing Order 27(2) Matter: Public Security and Gang Violence; Special Statement on Tamil Genocide Memorial Parliamentary ProcedureEthnic Reconciliation & DevolutionLand & Housing Read →
20 May 2025 AI summary The Minister clarified, in response to a question raised under Standing Order 27(2), that no Gazette had been issued for land acquisition. He stated that the relevant Gazette issued by the Department of Land Settlement concerned land regularization and settlement, and that further questions based on an assumption of acquisition were therefore not applicable. Standing Order 27(2) Matter: Public Security and Gang Violence; Special Statement on Tamil Genocide Memorial Land & Housing Read →
21 March 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that support would also be extended to other secondary crops cultivated during the Yala season. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Agriculture Read →