Sitting of Friday, 14 March 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1744281136023320 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard
Order of business
Speeches load per item. Summaries shown here are AI-generated and labelled; verbatim text is on each speech page.
- 1 Opening Parliament Opening and Speaker's Announcements 1 speeches
- 2 Papers Tabling of Annual Reports 5 speeches
- 3 Petitions Petitions 5 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Questions and Answers 40 speeches
- 5 Debate Ministerial Statements 4 speeches
- 6 Debate Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) 110 speeches
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB
AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka moved the traditional token cut to the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure’s expenditure and outlined the historical and economic importance of tea, coconut, rubber, cinnamon and kitul. He said the plantation sector faces labour shortages, weak coordination among institutions, climate impacts, rising input costs and international competition, with particular concerns over declining tea replanting, factory closures, coconut price increases, rubber crop difficulties and low returns in cinnamon and kitul. He called for better coordination among plantation bodies, fertilizer and pest-control support, and practical short- and long-term measures to protect growers, workers, consumers and export earnings.
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- Mr. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB
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.
- Mr. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised concerns about public security during the Committee Stage, arguing that the Police and Judiciary are under serious threat following incidents including a murder inside court premises and the killing of a retired prison officer. He questioned what assurances the Government could provide to prevent further attacks on courts and judges, noting that a suspect alleged to have planned the courthouse killing remained at large. He also criticized the situation in which the IGP was reportedly evading a court order and could not be located by the Police.
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake criticized the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Community Infrastructure Facilities for not yet delivering on its stated promises, particularly on controlling coconut prices and addressing crop damage by monkeys and langurs. He questioned the Government’s wildlife census and called for concrete action on animal-related agricultural losses. He noted that key plantation-related institutions and lands are no longer under this Ministry, urged stronger support for estate workers demanding a wage increase from Rs. 1,350 to Rs. 1,750, and said estate communities that voted for the Government are awaiting solutions to housing, wages and livelihoods.
- The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB
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.
- The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF
AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake said estate companies were neglecting maintenance, cutting estate trees for firewood, overusing herbicides, and failing to invest in fertilizer, drains, terracing and weeding, leading to deterioration in the plantation sector. He noted a sharp decline in estate labour as youth move to tourism or better-paid work in Colombo, leaving only areas with fewer alternatives still dependent on estate employment. He urged the Minister to deliver visible results for plantation communities, arguing that expectations in the Province are now focused on the Minister and that stronger powers, including over lands, would have improved implementation.
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. Danushka Ranganath JJB
AI summary Hon. Danushka Ranganath supported the 2025 Budget allocation for the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Community Infrastructure Facilities, highlighting its focus on sustainable plantation development, export growth, and improving the socio-economic conditions of plantation communities. He outlined rubber-sector targets, including expanded cultivation, replanting, quality plant distribution, rain guards, income diversification, and measures to address New Leaf Fall disease through government intervention and research. He requested increased allocations for estate community infrastructure and specifically urged action on 17 landslide-risk houses in Maragahadeniya Estate, Palindanuwara, which have remained unresolved since 2017.
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam questioned the adequacy and practicality of the Government’s coconut development measures, citing Batticaloa District as an example. He said around 400,000 of the district’s 800,000 coconut palms are affected by whitefly disease, yet only 50 litres of neem oil and 5,000 kg of fertilizer have been provided. He argued that plans for new seedlings under the Northern Coconut Triangle will take years to yield results and urged an actionable plan to protect existing coconut trees and clarify future fertilizer distribution.
Agriculture Full speech → - The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB
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.
Agriculture Full speech → - The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam questioned the adequacy and implementation of coconut support in Batticaloa, noting that seedlings alone are insufficient because palms take five to eight years to yield and calling for sustained assistance and delivery of promised hybrid seedlings. He criticized changes in stated positions on estate wages and urged support for non-paddy farmers, including onion, chilli and greenhouse cultivators, who do not receive the same concessions as registered paddy farmers. He also alleged that Plantation Ministry recommendations had been misused in Muttur and Safinagar to obtain land for chilli cultivation, divert Mahaweli water and enable illegal sand mining, and asked the Minister to investigate related officials, including the reappointment of Sajjana de Silva despite adverse legal advice.
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB
AI summary The Chair informed Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna that his allotted speaking time was nearly over.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam briefly requests the Minister to respond within his remaining time. No substantive policy argument or proposal is presented in the excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB
AI summary K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna said the Government would investigate the matters raised and take action against corruption regardless of rank, while allowing investigations and courts to determine responsibility, including among officials and Opposition members. He undertook to trace any Ministry recommendation relating to chilli cultivation and stated that 400,000 kg of fertilizer had been allocated to Batticaloa, to be sold at Rs. 4,000 per bag with a Rs. 5,000 subsidy.
- The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam briefly indicated that he was making a final point before concluding his remarks. No substantive policy position, proposal, or question is included in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam challenged the Minister’s stated commitment to act against corruption regardless of rank. He said he would provide written details of a person allegedly involved in fraud, who lost a court case, resigned, and has since been appointed to the Cabinet, and called on the Minister to remove that person.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP
AI summary Hon. Chanaka Madugoda said the Budget allocations for plantation development are inadequate for Galle District’s large smallholder tea and cinnamon sectors, despite welcoming support for coconut rehabilitation and disease control. He proposed returning the Cinnamon Development Department to the Department of Export Agriculture, citing high rent costs and inadequate technical staffing, and requested increased tea replanting support from Rs. 600,000 to about Rs. 1 million per hectare. He also called for fertilizer subsidies and easier fertilizer access for tea and coconut growers, removal of regulatory barriers to inputs, and action on estate workers’ wages and infrastructure needs in Galle.
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary The Deputy Chairperson called on Hon. Ambika Samivel to speak and informed her that she had nine minutes allotted for her remarks.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP
AI summary Chanaka Madugoda requested permission from the Chair to correct a point made in his earlier speech. No substantive policy or legislative argument was presented in this intervention.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary Hon. Chanaka Madugoda was called upon by the Hon. Deputy Chairperson to speak. No substantive remarks, proposals, or policy positions were included in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP
AI summary Chanaka Madugoda corrected an earlier statement, clarifying that his thanks were directed to the staff of the Coconut Cultivation Board rather than the Coconut Development Authority. He commended the Board’s efforts in addressing diseases and outbreaks affecting coconut cultivation, including whitefly, and offered an apology for the mistake.
Agriculture Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary Hon. Ambika Samivel was called upon by the Deputy Chairperson to address Parliament at 1.32 p.m.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Ms.) Ambika Samivel JJB
AI summary Hon. Ambika Samivel focused on housing conditions in the Hill Country, citing overcrowded line rooms and associated social and educational problems, and thanked India for continued housing assistance. She said 62 housing projects begun between 2016 and 2021 remained incomplete despite contractor and supervision payments, and noted that 1,300 Indian-funded houses still require completion. She stated that the Government plans a 10,000-house programme with infrastructure, seven-perch land and title deeds, including 6,000 houses this year, prioritising disaster victims and vulnerable families rather than political beneficiaries. She also referred to plans under “Clean Sri Lanka” to renovate 75 line-room clusters and to allocate Rs. 2,450 million to revive vocational training and livelihood support for estate youth.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary Hon. Palani Thigambaram was called to speak and allotted 12 minutes by the Deputy Chairperson. The remarks are procedural, indicating the next speaker in the debate and the time limit for his contribution.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Palani Thigambaram SJB
AI summary Palani Thigambaram welcomed the Budget’s acknowledgement of the Hill Country Tamil community but urged the Government to move beyond statements and implement concrete programmes for estate people. He defended his record as Minister during 2015–2019, denying allegations of corruption or political favouritism and citing housing and development work carried out for estate communities. He called for continuity in addressing the long-standing problems of the Hill Country population, offered cooperation if the Government delivers, and asked the Minister to focus more on estate residents as well as plantation issues.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary Hon. Mano Ganesan was called to speak and allotted 12 minutes by the Deputy Chairperson. The intervention was procedural, marking the start of his contribution at 1.47 p.m.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Mano Ganesan SJB
AI summary Mano Ganesan urged the Government to use its parliamentary majority and ministerial representation from the Hill Country Tamil community to address long-standing estate sector marginalization through practical governance rather than political rhetoric. He cited past initiatives including seven-perch land allocations, individual housing and “New Villages,” new Pradeshiya Sabhas and Divisional Secretariats, amendments enabling local authority spending in estate areas, and land allocations for estate schools, calling for their continuation and implementation. He asked that Norwood Divisional Secretariat not be shifted, that estate roads and companies’ contributions be addressed, the NVDA be revitalized, and that promised wage increases and stakeholder status for estate workers be delivered.
- The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB
AI summary Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna responded to issues raised by Hon. P. Digambaram and Hon. Mano Ganesan, indicating that he wished to clarify the matters they had brought before the House. The available excerpt does not include the substance of those clarifications or any specific proposals, demands, or policy details.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna – Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure
AI summary The Minister said housing assistance in plantation and landslide-affected areas would be prioritized based on need and National Building Research Organisation risk reports, rather than political patronage. He cited families still displaced in Haputale and Kegalle, past failures including the Meeriyabedda landslide, and underuse or misuse of some previous housing schemes. He stated that new houses would be built for vulnerable estate line-room residents, including about 2,000 families in Badulla District, and that the Malaiyaha community would receive individual single-storey houses on 10-perch plots rather than high-rises.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary The Deputy Chairperson urged Members to remain calm and indicated that there was no need for distress during the proceedings.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Mano Ganesan SJB
AI summary Hon. Mano Ganesan responded to a reference to his name regarding the BOO housing matter, saying his comments were made out of concern rather than political hostility. He urged the Minister to continue the housing programme, recalling earlier discussions with the Indian Prime Minister and former High Commissioners that led to a pledge to build 10,000 houses. He welcomed the Minister’s commitment to proceed with the next phase and to provide ten perches of land, asking that these pledges be implemented.
Land & Housing Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary The Deputy Chairperson recognized Hon. Ajith Agalakada and allotted him eight minutes to speak.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Ajith Agalakada JJB
AI summary Hon. Ajith Agalakada highlighted the plantation sector’s importance for foreign exchange earnings and Sri Lanka’s international reputation through products such as Ceylon Tea and Ceylon Cinnamon, while arguing that weak planning and mismanagement had contributed to decline. Focusing on Monaragala District, he cited rubber and cinnamon cultivation figures and national targets for rubber production, yields, and export earnings under the Ministry of Plantations and Community Infrastructure budget. He proposed a government-led project to cultivate 250–300 hectares of new rubber in Monaragala, expand nurseries at Padiyathalawa and Kumbukkan Oya to address plant shortages, and use capital allocations to strengthen local plantation infrastructure.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary The Deputy Chairperson informed the Member that their allotted speaking time had expired.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Ajith Agalakada JJB
AI summary Hon. Ajith Agalakada highlighted the difficulties faced by Malaiyaha communities in Monaragala District, including housing, education, sanitation, national identity cards, and birth certificates. He noted that the Budget has allocated funds for their housing and infrastructure and pledged his support as a Monaragala representative to ensure successful implementation.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan was recognized by the Deputy Chairperson and allotted 16 minutes to speak. No substantive policy or legislative content was presented in this procedural intervention.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan SJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan thanked the Minister’s commitment to provide ten-perch land plots and individual houses for estate workers, and urged equal attention to tea and rubber alongside coconut. He argued that plantation estates must be protected with workers’ welfare central to policy, called for clearer lease conditions or cancellations where companies fail to invest, and cited issues including blocked estate roads, barriers to electricity connections, and non-payment of the Rs. 1,700 basic wage. He also requested expanded housing for workers, staff and teachers, action on malnutrition and child health, and reopening closed factories to generate local employment. He supported recognition of “Malaiyaha people,” noted the dominance of smallholders in tea production, and urged mechanisms to better support them while addressing the gap between public investment in estate infrastructure and company responsibilities.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary Hon. W.H.M. Dharmasena was called to speak next and was allocated 14 minutes.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. W.H.M. Dharmasena SJB
AI summary Hon. W.H.M. Dharmasena highlighted the economic importance of plantation crops and urged continued support for rubber cultivation in Monaragala, including action on yellowing disease. He called for a compensation mechanism for coconut growers affected by porcupines and wild elephants. He also raised concerns about the sugar industry, particularly Pelwatte and Sevanagala, seeking better market conditions, stable prices for sugar and spirits, restoration of employee benefits and wages, retention of long-serving temporary workers, and ministerial attention to the financial and administrative difficulties facing these institutions.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary Hon. Deputy Chairperson recognized Hon. Krishnan Kalaichelvi to speak and informed her that she had eight minutes.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Ms.) Krishnan Kalaichelvi JJB
AI summary Hon. Krishnan Kalaichelvi highlighted long-standing socio-economic issues facing the Malaiyaha tea estate community, including poor housing, education, health, infrastructure and nutrition, and said post-1948 governments should acknowledge their failure to provide lasting solutions. She argued that the NPP Government should now address these issues through planned measures, citing 2025 Budget allocations for tea smallholders, housing and infrastructure, vocational training, food assistance, land grants, roofing sheets and smart classrooms in estate schools. She also clarified that the proposed relocation of the Norwood Divisional Secretariat office to Hatton was discussed at the District Coordinating Committee in response to public and space-related concerns, and urged that the matter not be used for communal political mobilization.
- The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan SJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan disputed that a District Coordinating Committee decision had been properly taken, stating that he was present until 1.00 p.m. and no such decision occurred in his presence. He objected to decisions being made without Opposition MPs, including Jeevan Thondaman and Palani Digambaram, and argued that expenditure for Hatton should not come at the expense of Norwood. He requested that the matter be reconvened the following month so all relevant MPs could decide jointly.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Ms.) Krishnan Kalaichelvi JJB
AI summary Opposition MPs not being invited to District Coordinating Committee meetings was raised, while noting that the District Secretary, Governor and officials had decided to temporarily relocate the office to Hatton until a new building is constructed. Members were urged not to address the public on the matter in a divisive or nationalist manner and to refrain from making conflicting statements locally.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP
AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman opposed relocating the Norwood Divisional Secretariat to premises above the Hatton railway station, arguing that resource shortages should be addressed by repairing and funding the existing office and that any decision must reflect public consultation, noting residents’ petitions would be tabled. He disputed claims that the District Coordinating Committee had made a binding decision and said the DCC could only advise the Central Government. He rejected calls for upcountry representatives to apologize, citing historical grievances faced by the plantation Tamil community, and urged unity across party lines on community issues. Responding to questions on housing funds, he said he would table documents and gave figures for houses completed under Sri Lankan and Indian-funded programmes during 2020-2024, attributing delays to cost increases after COVID-19, the economic crisis, and approval procedures for revised Indian-funded unit costs.
- Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna – Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure
AI summary Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna responded to concerns raised about estate workers, stating that the Government is in discussions with plantation companies to secure a daily wage of Rs. 1,700 and expects company cooperation, especially as public funds are being used for estate roads and housing. He said the Government will implement commitments in the Hatton Declaration by granting land rights, house ownership and proper addresses to Malaiyaha people, with funds allocated this year for issuing deeds. He also cited Budget allocations of Rs. 1,800 million for vocational training and basic facilities for estate youth, plans to build 4,700 houses this year and next year with Indian assistance, and continued implementation of the smart classroom project with an additional Rs. 600 million from the Government.
- The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP
AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman clarified that issuing land titles should include allocating land for people to build their own houses, not merely granting titles for existing houses. He also requested that the Labour Minister convene the Wages Board to address wage issues with company representatives present.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary The Deputy Chairperson urged Members not to begin a debate at that point, noting that many other speakers were still listed to speak.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna – Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure
AI summary Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna clarified that land identification for the 4,700 planned estate houses is largely complete, but some sites still require NBRO reports and company land allocations, while deeds for houses completed last year remain to be issued. He stated that the Government’s policy is to grant land rights to about 261,000 estate families in phases. On estate wages, he noted that increases must be handled through the legal collective agreement or Wages Board process with companies, and said the Ministry is ready to engage within that framework.
- The Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa JJB
AI summary Aboobucker Athambawa supported the Budget allocations for the Ministry of Plantations and Community Infrastructure, citing Rs. 17,488 million for plantation development and community infrastructure and additional funding to improve estate schools. He said the Government was prioritizing estate workers’ education, vocational training, health, housing, infrastructure and wages, including discussions with employers, training for 1,000 unemployed estate graduates, food assistance, land deeds, roofing sheets and smart classrooms for 60 schools. He also rejected Opposition remarks concerning the Muslim community and the NPP’s support base, alleging attempts to inflame communal tensions and referring to reported corruption issues involving a former local authority chairman.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary The Deputy Chairperson informed the Member that their allotted speaking time had expired and requested them to conclude.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa JJB
AI summary Aboobucker Athambawa requested an additional two minutes to continue his remarks during the proceedings.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary The Deputy Chairperson informed the Member that no additional speaking time could be granted.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa JJB
AI summary Allegations against an individual are referenced, with a dossier placed in the Library for parliamentary record. The speech also accuses unnamed actors of attempting to regain power by deceiving people and promoting racism, stating that the speaker’s community would respond appropriately in the future.
- The Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne – Deputy Chairperson (in the Chair)
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne took the Chair as Deputy Chairperson and called the House to order. She informed Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera that he had 14 minutes to speak.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera SJB
AI summary Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera raised concerns about the financial distress of smallholder tea producers, who he said account for about 75 percent of tea exports and receive only around Rs. 150 per kilogram of green leaf. He argued that yields and incomes have not recovered from the previous fertilizer ban, and that current fertilizer assistance is insufficient and inconsistently available. He proposed extending part of the fertilizer subsidy to private fertilizer companies so they can supply smallholders at concessionary prices, given the limited capacity of state-linked suppliers.
- Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna – Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure
AI summary The Minister stated that the issue of fertilizer assistance had already been clarified earlier in the sitting, including by the Chairman. He reiterated that fertilizer assistance is being provided, in response to a query or concern raised by a Member.
Agriculture Full speech → - The Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera SJB
AI summary Asked the Minister whether the proposed fertilizer subsidy would also extend to private fertilizer companies. He argued that relying only on fertilizer produced by Lak Pohora Company and the Commercial Fertilizer Company would be insufficient to meet the needs of smallholder tea growers.
Agriculture Full speech → - The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB
AI summary K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna stated that the matter is not confined to Lak Pohora and that discussions are ongoing to extend the arrangement or measure to other companies as well.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera SJB
AI summary Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera urged the Minister to support smallholder tea growers by reducing VAT on pesticides and weedicides and increasing the replanting subsidy, warning that current costs and weak incentives could reduce future tea export earnings. He questioned the decision to move the New Kegalle Smallholder Tea Development Authority office from Dehiovita back to Kegalle after significant expenditure, citing reduced access for over 25,000 growers in nearby areas. He also requested continuation of the SVAT mechanism for exporters, arguing that replacing it with cash VAT would create refund delays and working capital constraints. He further called for an inquiry and settlement for smallholders affected by the collapse of the Tea Shakthi Fund, and briefly raised concerns regarding the cinnamon industry.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Lal Premanath JJB
AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath argued that the Budget’s allocations for the Ministry of Plantations and Community Infrastructure address long-standing problems in the tea sector, particularly affecting tea-producing districts such as Matara, Galle and Ratnapura and the large estate-worker population. He identified labour shortages, high production costs, poor-quality fertilizer, the impact of the previous organic fertilizer policy, climate-related risks, weak use of contingency funds, and inadequate support from institutions such as the Tea Board as key challenges. He said the Budget provides for research, factory modernization, replanting and infilling, and improved support across the production-to-export chain, while also emphasizing the need to protect and modernize the “Ceylon Tea” brand in global markets.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Lal Premanath JJB
AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath said the Budget was prepared cautiously in the context of the country’s severe economic crisis and covers only an eight-month period. He acknowledged it would not meet all expectations in the tea sector, but argued that the Government had taken a positive step for plantations and called on the public, tea sector stakeholders, and Opposition Members to support it.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Jagath Vithana SJB
AI summary Hon. Jagath Vithana urged the Government not to permit any expansion of oil palm beyond the already completed 2,000 hectares, citing environmental concerns, worker safety issues, alleged violation of a banning circular, and legal cases he faces after opposing plantation expansion in Kalutara. He raised concerns about substandard tea plants being sold to small growers and asked why funds from the Tea Promotion Levy could not be used to support proper planting material and assist factory owners. He tabled photographs and documents relating to tea and rubber factories in Kalutara District destroyed during the conflict period, asking that they be assessed, repaired, and used for development with investors. He also criticized past distribution of LRC lands to businessmen and called for state land to be allocated in smaller plots to ordinary people for productive use.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Sundaralingam Pradeep - Deputy Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB
AI summary In the Committee Stage debate on the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure allocations, the Deputy Minister outlined Budget provisions of about Rs. 16,738 million for plantation crop development and social infrastructure in estate communities. He highlighted funding for vocational training, nutrition programmes for upcountry children, land deeds, roofing support, housing construction with Indian assistance, and the revival of institutions such as the upcountry new villages development authority. He also proposed improvements to schools, cultural centres, waste management, disaster relief, estate hospitals, pre-schools, drinking water and sanitation, with particular emphasis on replacing line rooms through single-house construction.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Mohamed Sali Naleem
AI summary Hon. Mohamed Sali Naleem urged Government action to revive cashew cultivation in Eravur, including inputs, saplings, funding and relief for small traders affected by import arrangements, noting Sri Lanka’s production shortfall against national demand. He called for the stalled Mundeni Aru River Basin Development Project to be urgently resumed to reduce flooding in Batticaloa, expand cultivation, improve water supply and fisheries, and support paddy production. He also raised local infrastructure, health, land, boundary, electricity and water issues in Eravur and surrounding areas, including hospital services and road repairs. He concluded by announcing that he would resign from his National List seat and contest the forthcoming Eravur Urban Council election under his party.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB
AI summary Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj condemned the sexual violence incident involving a female doctor at Anuradhapura Hospital and said the Government and women Members of Parliament stand with the victim and will pursue justice. She criticized media reporting that disclosed identifying details or reenacted evidence, arguing that such coverage retraumatizes victims and undermines confidence in justice. She called for swift punishment of perpetrators, stronger victim support mechanisms, enforcement of media-related laws and ethical standards, and an inquiry into how confidential police or court statements reached the media.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Nandana Millagala JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nandana Millagala supported the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure expenditure, arguing that plantation policy must address the human and social conditions of estate communities, not only economic production. Citing hardships in estate line rooms, including youth vulnerability, family breakdown, drugs, and educational difficulties, he referred to allocations for estate housing and related infrastructure. He highlighted specific Budget provisions for child development centres, line-room roof repairs, sanitation, and estate road development as measures intended to improve living conditions and promote equal citizenship.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP
AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan supported expanded plantation development in the North, including the planned 16,000 acres of coconut cultivation, and urged comparable programmes for palmyrah, rubber, oil crops such as mustard and sunflower, and spices through land release and value addition. He called for lands gazetted as forest after 1985 but not dense forest to be made available for cultivation, particularly to experienced displaced upcountry families now living in Northern districts. He also urged action on tabled reports concerning missing persons, the Trincomalee campus issue and the Mylanthanai killings, including accountability for those responsible. Additionally, he requested urgent rehabilitation and reopening of the Puttalam–Mannar–Marichchukkaddi–Jaffna road to shorten travel and support resettlement.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Nishantha Perera JJB
AI summary Hon. Nishantha Perera spoke during the debate on the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure’s Head of Expenditure, emphasizing that national prosperity depends on addressing issues in the plantation sector, including tea, cinnamon, coconut and other crops. He noted the sector’s importance as a major foreign-exchange earner and responded to Opposition criticisms of current crises by implying that they also bear responsibility for those longstanding challenges.
- Hon. Nishantha Perera JJB
AI summary Hon. Nishantha Perera said Sri Lanka’s tea industry is in a severe crisis, citing past mismanagement, audit concerns, halted replanting and factory development, and the impact of the abrupt shift to organic fertilizer. He stated that the Government has allocated funds for the Tea Small Holdings Development Authority, tea research, factory development, replanting, fallow land subsidies, direct planting and mechanization, while also reducing electricity and fuel costs to ease production expenses. He also defended the Department of Cinnamon Development against calls for abolition, saying it should be strengthened to promote Sri Lankan cinnamon internationally through short- and long-term programmes.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Arun Hemachandra - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment JJB
AI summary Arun Hemachandra argued that plantation sectors such as coconut, palmyrah, tea and cinnamon had declined due to past mismanagement, poor land use, the chemical fertilizer ban, weak value addition and lack of reliable data. He said the Government is beginning scientific approaches to issues such as animal damage and agricultural statistics, while also developing the palmyrah sector through a non-political board and seeking to strengthen export earnings. He emphasized that estate communities require basic rights, including addresses, land, housing and education, and that rebuilding tea and other plantation industries should proceed alongside environmental protection.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Arun Hemachandra JJB
AI summary Hon. Arun Hemachandra stated that the Ministry intends to address both sectoral production issues, including palmyrah and hill-country tea, and communities’ basic infrastructure needs. He emphasized the aim of providing permanent solutions through the Ministry.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Dharmapriya Dissanayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Dharmapriya Dissanayake, speaking during the Vote on the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure, focused on the coconut sector and said the Budget should support increased production, exports, intercropping, and value-added industries. He cited targets of about 3,000 million nuts annually and export earnings rising from Rs. 247 billion to Rs. 265 billion, while arguing that land fragmentation, alienation, and misuse of coconut estates had reduced production. He referred to past allocations of Kurunegala Plantations Limited lands and said stronger controls, improved inputs, fertilizer, irrigation restoration, and planned replanting/intercropping were needed to revive coconut cultivation, particularly in the North Western Province.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB
AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha highlighted the global demand for coconut products and urged measures to support Sri Lanka’s coconut exporters, who he said face shortages and competition from countries such as Vietnam and the Philippines. He called for protection of the industry through measures including attention to the removal of SVAT and provision of low-interest loans, noting the sector’s foreign exchange earnings and target to reach USD 1 billion. He also questioned delays in distributing Russia-donated MOP fertilizer intended for coconut cultivation and urged that it be issued before the rains rather than being held for election-related timing.
- The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB
AI summary The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna clarified that the delay in distributing the blended fertilizer was not caused by elections but by the need to obtain Russian concurrence because MOP is being blended with phosphate and urea and issued at a subsidized price. He stated that approval was received about two weeks earlier, blending and bagging are underway at the Fertilizer Corporation, and distribution is expected to begin at the end of the month in time for application.
Agriculture Full speech → - The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB
AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha urged a substantial expansion of coconut seedling production, stronger support for the Coconut Research Institute, fertilizer access for home gardens and smallholders, and long-term planning to improve yields, including in a proposed second coconut triangle in the North. He requested fair treatment of traditional temporary users of lands around the Kantale Sugar Factory when reallocations are made. He also called for any inquiry into the Batalanda events to be broadened to examine the wider violence of 1988–89 in an even-handed manner. He emphasized the continuing importance of export crops and asked the Ministry to help uplift plantation communities, particularly by moving them beyond line-room housing.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB
AI summary The Minister clarified that the Spices and Allied Products Marketing Board is not being closed and that no employees have been terminated, though unprofitable outlets were shut and staff were directed to report to Colombo amid reported losses and irregular past recruitment. He said factory fires and the Batalanda issue raise questions of compensation, rebuilding, and accountability, emphasizing that punishment must occur through courts and not extra-legal detention. He also stated that coconut cultivation plans are constrained by current seed capacity, with about 2.568 million quality seed nuts targeted, and said proposals raised during the debate would be considered in the Ministry’s future work.
- The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB
AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha asked the Minister whether action would be taken regarding the Simplified Value Added Tax (SVAT) scheme. He stated that exporters are facing serious difficulties because of SVAT and inquired whether the Minister had paid attention to the issue.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB
AI summary K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna stated that no immediate decision had been made on the issue under consideration, citing differing stakeholder views, macroeconomic implications and a possible Treasury burden, and said consultations would continue. He welcomed the increased allocation to the new Ministry in the Government’s first Budget debate and linked the Ministry’s work to the target of 3–3.5 per cent GDP growth in 2025. He thanked Ministry and parliamentary officials, plantation sector institutions, smallholders and workers, noting the sector’s foreign exchange contribution and the role of tea, coconut and rubber smallholders. He said the Ministry would pursue its national and strategic targets and that the sector was showing signs of recovery.
- The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB
AI summary An amendment was moved on behalf of the Minister of Finance during the 2025 Committee Stage under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure. It proposed replacing the relevant line on page 26 to set capital expenditure at Rs. 12,038,000,000.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. Chairman procedural
- Hon. Members
AI summary Parliament agreed to the amended Capital Expenditure allocation of Rs. 12.038 billion and ordered it to stand part of the Schedule. It also approved allocations under Head 135, including Rs. 1.702 billion for Programme 01 recurrent expenditure and Rs. 69 million for Programme 01 capital expenditure, while noting Programme 02 allocations of Rs. 3.183 billion recurrent and Rs. 10.269 billion capital expenditure.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB
AI summary An amendment was moved at the Committee Stage 2025 under Head 135, Programme 02. The statement was procedural and did not include further argument or detail on the substance of the amendment.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Chairman procedural
- Hon. Members
AI summary The Committee agreed to amend Head 135, Programme 02, setting Development Activities expenditure at Rs. 3.183 billion recurrent and Rs. 11.019 billion capital, and ordered the amended provisions to stand part of the Schedule. It also approved the allocations for the Department of Rubber Development under Head 293 and the Department of Cinnamon Development under Head 337, including their recurrent and capital expenditure for development activities.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB
AI summary A procedural motion was moved for the Committee to report progress and seek leave to sit again. The motion was agreed to, and the Committee reported progress, with proceedings scheduled to continue on 15 March 2025.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
- 7 Papers Annual Reports under Companies Act (Elkaduwa Plantation Limited) 2 speeches
- 8 Adjournment Adjournment Motion: Control of Potato Imports During Harvesting Season 11 speeches