Sitting of Tuesday, 11 March 2025

Order of business

Speeches load per item. Summaries shown here are AI-generated and labelled; verbatim text is on each speech page.

1. 1 Opening Opening Announcements and Papers 2 speeches ▸
2. 2 Committee report Committee Reports Presented 2 speeches ▸
3. 3 Petitions Citizens' Petitions Presented 5 speeches ▸
4. 4 Oral question Oral Question: Chicken Production and Supply in Sri Lanka (Q.1/2025) 6 speeches ▾
   • Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB

     AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation to provide annual data from 2010 to the present on chicken production in Sri Lanka, as well as details of any chicken meat exports and imports during that period. He also requested the Ministry to state what measures will be taken to improve the domestic chicken meat industry, or explain why such information cannot be provided.

     Agriculture Full speech →
   • The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB

     AI summary Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne, answering on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, provided yearwise data on Sri Lanka’s chicken meat production, exports and imports from 2010 to 2024, with production projected to reach 283,580 metric tons in 2025. He stated that chicken meat production is entirely private-sector led, while the State handles policy, regulation and facilitation. He outlined measures to expand the industry, including a plan to double production by 2029, increase domestic maize cultivation while importing 250,000 metric tons to prevent feed shortages, support exports to markets such as China, Singapore and the UAE, provide tax and import facilitation for inputs, and strengthen biosecurity, veterinary services and avian influenza surveillance.

     Agriculture Full speech →
   • Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB

     AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi raised concerns about the poultry industry, noting its importance to ordinary people and the growth shown in available data despite some imports. He asked whether the Ministry has a stable programme to control arbitrary price increases by traders, resolve industry issues to reduce import dependence, and promote poultry exports.

     AgricultureCost of Living Full speech →
   • The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB

     AI summary Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne clarified that his recent interventions related to the swine industry and not the location referred to by a Member. He stated that Sri Lanka is generally self-sufficient in eggs and produces substantial chicken meat, with limited imports allowed for specific consumer segments and private value addition or re-export. He added that the Government is pursuing full self-sufficiency and seeking market access in eight countries, including China, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia and Japan, for Sri Lankan chicken meat exports.

     Agriculture Full speech →
   • Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB

     AI summary Asked whether the Paddy Marketing Board is effectively procuring paddy amid current rice affordability concerns. He also sought clarification on measures being taken to address rice shortages, directing the question to the Deputy Minister responsible for agriculture.

     Agriculture Full speech →
   • The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB

     AI summary Paddy farmers are now receiving satisfactory prices and there are no current protests over inability to sell their harvest. The Deputy Minister stated that farmer welfare remains the priority and that the Paddy Marketing Board has begun purchasing paddy in specified quantities, indicating that the earlier marketing difficulties are being addressed.

     Agriculture Full speech →
5. 5 Oral question Oral Question: Construction of Liyangastota Bridge (Q.4/2025) 9 speeches ▸
6. 6 Oral question Oral Questions: Moulavi Certificate and Regidale Estate 5 speeches ▸
7. 7 Procedural Procedural Matters: Standing Order 27(2) Question on Graduate Unemployment 23 speeches ▸
8. 8 Debate Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) 142 speeches ▸
9. 9 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: Batticaloa Airport Land Acquisition and Release 15 speeches ▸