Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Badulla

Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure

Profession: ---

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 176 #23 of 225·#11 in party

Attendance 4/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

176 speeches

25 September 2025 AI summary The Minister provided details of financial assistance given to registered tea nurseries in the Galle District by the Sri Lanka Tea Board in 2020 and 2024, including grant amounts to multiple nurseries, with detailed schedules tabled in the Library. He also stated that the Tea Smallholdings Development Authority assisted 17 nurseries in 2022–2023, of which 13 remain active and four are inactive. Among Sri Lanka Tea Board-assisted nurseries, two were reported inactive, and the remaining part of the question was stated to be not applicable. Oral Answers to Questions Agriculture Read →
24 September 2025 AI summary The Minister tabled a written answer detailing Sri Lanka Tea Board-related investments, including Promotion and Marketing Levy funds, Tea Board Fund investments, and investments under the MoU with the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, with year-wise short-term, long-term, and total amounts up to 2025. He stated that investments were made in fixed deposits in state banks and Treasury bills in line with applicable circulars and manuals, with procedures strengthened from 2022 through Investment Committee review and from 2024 through Departmental Procurement Committee approval and procurement guidelines. Oral Question 10 (125/2025): Sri Lanka Tea Board Investments Public Finance Read →
23 September 2025 AI summary Minister K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna supported the Bill to give legal authority to the National Building Research Organisation, arguing that stronger institutions and enforcement are needed to reduce disaster risk, particularly landslides. He cited major past landslides and said failures to act on NBRO warnings, including before the 2014 Meeriyabedda disaster, showed the consequences of weak implementation and lack of resettlement options. He also highlighted human-induced damage from the Uma Oya project, noting Cabinet decisions on compensation, water supply, soil conservation and the Talpitigala reservoir. He outlined planned measures for high-risk plantation communities, including housing and land for 2,125 families, relocation of vulnerable schools, and Rs. 1,500 million for landslide mitigation works in Badulla. Second Reading Debate: National Building Research Institute Bill EnvironmentJustice & Human RightsInfrastructure Read →
23 September 2025 AI summary Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna moved that Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which the Deputy Speaker left the Chair and Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha assumed it. Second Reading Debate: National Building Research Institute Bill Parliamentary Procedure Read →
23 September 2025 AI summary Fertilizer policy disruptions were cited as a continuing cause of weakness in agriculture, including the tea sector, with past concerns over delays and supplier selection in tea fertilizer distribution. Cabinet approval has been obtained for a new mechanism, and for 2025 the Tea Board has allocated Rs. 2,000 million for fertilizer support, including Rs. 200 million for smallholder assistance delivered through a QR-code system. Registered suppliers, including the State Fertilizer Corporation and companies registered with the National Fertilizer Secretariat, will provide fertilizer, with issuance scheduled to begin on the 26th at Matugama, Kalutara, to support timely delivery for the season. Oral Question Q.5/2025: Cinnamon and Tea Fertilizer Subsidies AgriculturePublic Finance Read →
23 September 2025 AI summary Cinnamon was identified as a key plantation crop, with exports earning USD 262 million last year and a five-year strategy aiming to increase this to USD 500 million by 2030 through legal, infrastructure, and farmer support measures. The Member stated that the Government is reviewing about 100 state institutions, including the proposed Cinnamon Development Department, and that the final institutional arrangement will be decided after addressing overlaps with other minor export crop bodies. Oral Question Q.5/2025: Cinnamon and Tea Fertilizer Subsidies Public FinanceAgriculture Read →
23 September 2025 AI summary The Minister provided detailed information on Sri Lanka’s cinnamon sector, stating that about 90 per cent of cinnamon lands are located in Galle, Matara, Ratnapura, Hambantota and Kalutara, with a total cultivated extent of about 37,500 hectares in 2024. He said the Department of Cinnamon Development is headquartered in Karandeniya, Galle, in a rented building, with operational units including a zonal office in Gampaha and a field cadre of 268 officers. He outlined departmental programmes on export market development, GI certification for Ceylon Cinnamon, new cultivation support, productivity improvement, quality certification, training, processing and value addition, with further details tabled. Oral Question Q.5/2025: Cinnamon and Tea Fertilizer Subsidies Agriculture Read →
12 September 2025 AI summary Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna stated that he was accepting a petition from Mrs. B.W. Gnanawathi of Ambadandegama, Bandarawela. Petitions: Various Citizens' Petitions (Multiple Ministers) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
10 September 2025 AI summary The Minister supported the Bill to repeal the Presidents’ Entitlements Act No. 4 of 1986, arguing that it implements the NPP’s electoral mandate to abolish excessive benefits for former Presidents and align public spending with the needs of ordinary citizens. He rejected claims that the measure is vindictive, stating it is a lawful and democratic correction of entitlements that he said have been misused or exceeded their intended purpose. He cited court rulings and examples involving former Presidents Maithripala Sirisena, Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, and Mahinda Rajapaksa to argue that state residences, land, and renovation expenditures had been unfairly or unlawfully allocated. He added that while security for former Presidents remains a government responsibility, unlimited privileges should not continue. Debate: Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Public FinanceCorruption & Governance ReformParliamentary Procedure Read →
10 September 2025 AI summary Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna addressed fertilizer complaints by stating that beneficiaries will be allowed to use subsidies with multiple suppliers and that QR codes will be introduced next month to improve timely access. He noted rising tea export earnings, citing an increase from USD 331 million to USD 434 million in the first five months compared with the previous year. He also said the Government is acting to bring underutilized estate lands into productive use through investor leases for cultivation and tourism-related rehabilitation, while warning that idle lands may face interim levies or further government action. Oral Question: Tea Smallholder Contribution to Production (Q.1/2024) Public FinanceAgriculture Read →
10 September 2025 AI summary Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna outlined support measures for plantation crop development, including replanting grants of Rs. 630,000 per hectare, new planting grants of Rs. 500,000 per hectare, and crop rehabilitation assistance of Rs. 100 per plant subject to acreage limits. He also stated that a Rs. 4,000 fertilizer subsidy is provided per 50 kg bag, with Rs. 2,800 million allocated for 2025, and that private nurseries are regulated to ensure quality planting material. The remaining details were tabled. Oral Question: Tea Smallholder Contribution to Production (Q.1/2024) Agriculture Read →
10 September 2025 AI summary In response to a parliamentary question, the Minister tabled data showing tea smallholders consistently contributed around 74–78 per cent of Sri Lanka’s made tea production from 2015 to 2024, with 418,989 smallholders estimated as at 31 December 2024. He identified the main public institutions serving the sector, including the Ministry, Tea Small Holdings Development Authority, Sri Lanka Tea Board, Tea Research Institute and National Plantation Management Institute. He also tabled details of their functions, including policy coordination, grants for replanting and new planting, fertilizer subsidies, extension services, research support, nursery and trading regulation, infrastructure support and training programmes. Oral Question: Tea Smallholder Contribution to Production (Q.1/2024) Agriculture Read →
9 September 2025 AI summary K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna stated that the disputed land had been possessed by the State Plantation Corporation and leased to Namunkula Plantation Company in 1992, with the company remaining in possession until 2018. He explained that subsequent Powers of Attorney and a deed produced after the original owner’s death raised questions, and that the validity of the deed is now before Court. He said the matter would be monitored and the concerns of affected families addressed within the law. Oral Question: Bungalow in Kalugalle Estate - False Ownership (Q.?/2025) Land & HousingJustice & Human Rights Read →
9 September 2025 AI summary The Minister provided details on the Kalugala land and bungalow linked to Beno/Gidagala Estate, noting its declaration under the Land Reform Law in 1974, an incomplete village expansion acquisition process, and a 2017 order to restore possession to the original owner, though no owner or heirs came forward. He stated that an external claimant, Satasivam Haridaran, obtained possession in 2018, while Namunkula Plantation Company has filed court action over possession and an interim injunction is in place. He said acquisition by the Government is not currently possible because the District Court case is pending and the land has been found unsuitable for village expansion, with any alternative public-purpose action to be considered only after the legal proceedings conclude. Oral Question: Bungalow in Kalugalle Estate - False Ownership (Q.?/2025) Justice & Human RightsPublic FinanceLand & Housing Read →
20 August 2025 AI summary K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna moved the Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill for Second Reading, after which Parliament agreed to refer it to a Committee of the whole Parliament. The Bill was considered clause by clause, reported without amendment, and then passed at Third Reading, with authority granted to correct linguistic, typographical, grammatical, numerical, and consequential errors. Second Reading Passed: Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill and Sports Regulations Parliamentary ProcedureAgriculture Read →
20 August 2025 AI summary K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna addressed allegations made during debate on the Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill regarding the resignation of the Janatha Estates Development Board Chairman. He stated that the former Chairman, Jayanta Nilakaratne, resigned for personal reasons and denied claims that ministerial or secretarial pressure was exerted to allocate state lands to associates. He said the Ministry would act against corruption in the JEDB and was prepared to disclose and pursue cases involving the capture of public estate lands by politicians or influential persons. Debate: Samurdhi (Amendment) Bill, Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill, Sports Law Regulations, and Judicature Act Rules Corruption & Governance ReformLand & Housing Read →
20 August 2025 AI summary K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna addressed the Presiding Member, but the provided excerpt contains no substantive remarks, arguments, questions, or proposals to summarize. Debate: Samurdhi (Amendment) Bill, Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill, Sports Law Regulations, and Judicature Act Rules Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 August 2025 AI summary Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna said the Labour Minister and officials had discussed increasing plantation workers’ wages in line with the President’s Budget commitment, targeting Rs. 1,700. He noted that discussions with plantation companies were ongoing, with some citing constraints and others indicating possible increases, and that a collective agreement was needed. He called for support in finding a mechanism or new model that raises wages while sustaining plantation businesses and employment. Debate: Samurdhi (Amendment) Bill, Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill, Sports Law Regulations, and Judicature Act Rules Public FinanceAgricultureEmployment Read →
20 August 2025 AI summary Minister K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna said the Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill would update the 1956 Act by replacing references to the Rubber Controller and related bodies and funds with the current Director-General and Department of Rubber Development structure. He outlined plans to rehabilitate neglected rubber and coconut lands, expand rubber cultivation to new districts, meet sustainability certification requirements including EUDR-related standards, improve research, disease control, worker training and inputs, and target rubber exports of USD 2 billion by 2030. He also described fertilizer subsidy measures for tea and coconut, the use of a Russian fertilizer grant, a target of USD 1.5 billion in coconut exports by 2030, and the launch of a Northern Coconut Triangle programme covering 16,000 acres. He said the Government would rely on expert advisory groups and invited constructive proposals from the Opposition. Debate: Samurdhi (Amendment) Bill, Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill, Sports Law Regulations, and Judicature Act Rules Corruption & Governance ReformAgriculture Read →
19 August 2025 AI summary K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna tabled a written answer on tea production, export income, and Sri Lanka’s export ranking from 2015 to 2024, noting production fell from 329 million kg in 2015 to 263 million kg in 2024, while export income was Rs. 433,473 million in 2024. The answer stated that Sri Lanka ranked third in international tea exports from 2015 to 2023 and fourth in 2024. It outlined measures including a National Plantation Policy, a 2025–2029 Strategic Plan targeting 400 million kg of production and USD 2.5 billion in export earnings by 2029, and programmes on productivity, replanting, mechanization, quality improvement, value addition, climate resilience, modernization, and data-driven governance. Second Round Questions: Tea Production/Export and M-Class Locomotives (Tabled and Deferred) Agriculture Read →