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

14 March 2025 AI summary The Chair informed Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna that his allotted speaking time was nearly over. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
14 March 2025 AI summary K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna clarified that the Russian grant fertilizer had not yet been released and said a separate fertilizer distribution programme for coconut landowners with under five acres would provide 56,700 metric tons islandwide by the end of the month through an application process. He stated that funds had been allocated to the Coconut Research Institute to address whitefly and Weligama leaf wilt, while emphasizing the need for landowner participation alongside government support. He also undertook to examine the specific issue raised regarding Batticaloa. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Agriculture Read →
14 March 2025 AI summary K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna stated that action has been taken regarding the Hanthana matter, including enforcement of the law. He said the contractor’s work has been suspended and investigations are ongoing. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) InfrastructureLaw & Order Read →
14 March 2025 AI summary Minister Samantha Viddyarathna outlined the scale of the plantation sector and said the Ministry’s Rs. 17,888 million allocation, including Rs. 12,038 million in capital expenditure, would support reforms in coconut, tea and rubber. He said the coconut sector faces an acute shortage due to past planning and governance failures, cited alleged misuse of plantation assets, and announced a 10-year coconut plan, a national plantation policy and a coconut master plan to be submitted to Cabinet. He set production and export targets for coconut, including raising output to 4,200 million nuts and exports to USD 1.5 billion by 2030, supported by replanting, seedlings, subsidized fertilizer, pest-control grants, irrigation and development of the Northern Coconut Triangle. On tea, he said Sri Lanka had lost international standing and that the Government would focus on smallholders, fertilizer support, quality improvement and policy changes to reverse the decline. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Public FinanceCorruption & Governance ReformAgriculture Read →
14 March 2025 AI summary The Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure formally accepted two petitions for presentation to Parliament. The petitions were from Mr. J.M. Senadhira of Badulla and Mr. R.M. Gunasena of Kirinda Kosgolla. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
12 March 2025 AI summary The Minister tabled a written answer on the Northern Coconut Triangle project, stating that it began in 2023 in the Northern Province, has planted about 10,000 acres so far, and targets 50,000 acres by 2027 with expected production contributions by 2030. The answer set out objectives including increasing annual production by 135 million nuts, improving food security, raising export revenue by USD 70 million, supporting northern livelihoods, attracting investment, and promoting intercropping. It also detailed current coconut production and a range of short-, medium- and long-term measures, including controlled imports for re-export and oil production, concessional fertilizer and pest-control support, rehabilitation and replanting, irrigation, consumer supply through state channels, expansion into non-traditional areas, concessional industry finance, and preparation of sectoral strategic plans. Oral Question: Scarcity of Coconuts and Archaeological Site Protection (Q.92/2024, Q.210/2024) EmploymentAgricultureCost of Living Read →
10 March 2025 AI summary The Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure presented the Ministerial Consultative Committee report relating to the Annual Reports of the Cashew Corporation of Sri Lanka for 2019 and 2020, and the Kalubowitiyana Tea Factory Ltd. for 2022/2023. The report was ordered to lie upon the Table. Papers Presented and Ministerial Consultative Committee Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
28 February 2025 AI summary K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna informed the House that he accepted four petitions from constituents in Perawella, Bandarawela, and Ambagasdowa. The petitions were submitted on behalf of A.P.D. Siripala, B.M. Indrani Gunaratne, S.M.O. Isanka, and W.G. Anulawath. Petitions - Citizens' Petitions Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
24 February 2025 AI summary The Minister tabled a response confirming awareness of disaster-risk housing affecting estate families in Kegalle, Badulla and Nuwara Eliya, including 22 families in Levant, 51 in Poonagala, 5 in Dabettanne, and 105 in Wedamulla Estate. He stated that these families have been living in such conditions for about 2–5 years and that housing is planned this year for 3,627 affected families under the Indian Housing Project, with Levant and Poonagala projects to be funded by the Government of Sri Lanka. Oral Question: Question No. 5 - 453/2025 (Plantation and Community Infrastructure) InfrastructureLand & Housing Read →
22 February 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that the 2025 allocation for the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure includes multiple programmes to support the tea sector, including grants for smallholder replanting, new planting, infilling, mechanization, irrigation, transport equipment, nursery establishment, and factory upgrades. He said payments due from the previous year’s replanting programme would also be settled in 2025, and outlined additional measures such as solar panels for factories and support for plucking teams. The remarks were made in response to concerns raised about Government support for tea cultivation. Oral Questions: STaRR Project (Q.1/2025), KL-2 Project Kalutara (Q.2/2025), Lands - Elpitiya DS (Q.3/2025), Meegahakiula Bus Station (Q.4/2025) Agriculture Read →
22 February 2025 AI summary Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna stated that the project covered broad objectives in the tea and rubber sectors but had not fully achieved its targets. He noted that reports had identified some problematic areas indicating possible irregularities, and said the Ministry intends to conduct further inquiries. Oral Questions: STaRR Project (Q.1/2025), KL-2 Project Kalutara (Q.2/2025), Lands - Elpitiya DS (Q.3/2025), Meegahakiula Bus Station (Q.4/2025) Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
22 February 2025 AI summary In response to a parliamentary question, the Minister stated that although the tea industry has faced setbacks, 2024 production rose to 262 million kilograms, the highest in three years. He provided details of the IFAD-supported Smallholder Tea and Rubber Revitalization Project, including Rs. 8,703.71 million disbursed as a loan on blended terms repayable by 2040, its administrative officers, and tea replanting of 4,131.798 hectares across six districts. He said Rs. 325,765 was paid per acre for replanting, administrative expenditure was Rs. 538.618 million by April 2024, field operations ended in September 2023, the project closed in March 2024, and there were no outstanding payments to growers. Oral Questions: STaRR Project (Q.1/2025), KL-2 Project Kalutara (Q.2/2025), Lands - Elpitiya DS (Q.3/2025), Meegahakiula Bus Station (Q.4/2025) Agriculture Read →
20 February 2025 AI summary K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna formally moved that Parliament adjourn. The Chair put the adjournment question to the House. Adjournment: Liquor Shop Permits and Licensing Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 February 2025 AI summary The Minister defended the National People’s Power Government’s inaugural Budget as the first step in a five-year economic programme within IMF-related constraints following the debt crisis. He said the Budget prioritizes a production- and export-oriented economy through allocations for rural roads, fisheries, livestock, plantations, SMEs, tourism and industry, and referred to a planned National Export Development Plan. He also highlighted welfare increases for senior citizens, elderly persons, students and chronic kidney patients, arguing that the Government is directing resources to previously neglected groups while asking the public for patience as economic reforms are implemented. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate AgriculturePublic Finance Read →
20 February 2025 AI summary Two public petitions were presented to Parliament on behalf of Mr. A.P. Rajasooriya of Badulla and Mr. R.M. Hemachandra Bandara of Hali Ela. Petitions Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 February 2025 AI summary The Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure presented the 2022/2023 Annual Report of the Limited Kalubovitiyana Tea Factory Company. He moved that the report be referred to the Consultative Committee on Plantation and Community Infrastructure, and the motion was agreed to. Papers Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
19 February 2025 AI summary Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna stated that the Ministry would examine the second supplementary question, while clarifying that the matter falls under the Ruhunu Tourism Bureau rather than his Ministry. He explained that the relevant Ministries were involved only in land acquisition, and that future administration had been handed over to the Southern Province Ruhunu Tourism Bureau, which would be informed to address the issues raised. Oral Questions: Holuwagoda Development Project and Sports Facilities Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
19 February 2025 AI summary About 18.89 acres were allocated for the project, with the Ministry only facilitating land acquisition while the Urban Development Authority handled planning and spent approximately Rs. 222.1 million. The Minister said the Ministry would examine any remaining waterlogged paddy lands and cultivation difficulties and take necessary action. Oral Questions: Holuwagoda Development Project and Sports Facilities Land & HousingInfrastructure Read →
19 February 2025 AI summary Construction of the Holuwagoda Project was completed on 20 December 2023, and the Holuwagoda Wetland Park was opened to the public on 13 March 2024, with management handed over to the Ruhunu Tourism Bureau. The Minister stated that the project’s expected benefits include flood mitigation through drainage, recreational facilities, marketplace support for local economic and plantation activities, city beautification, tourism promotion, walkways, and a children’s play area, and that these benefits are considered to have been achieved. Oral Questions: Holuwagoda Development Project and Sports Facilities InfrastructureEnvironment Read →
7 February 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that longstanding issues affecting the plantation community had remained unresolved for 76 years. He assured Parliament that, during the Government’s five-year term under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, it would seek to advance fundamental rights and improve conditions for these citizens as equal Sri Lankans, even if all problems cannot be fully resolved. Private Members' Motion 1: Acquisition of Estate Roads to the Government Ethnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →