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Sri Lanka
10th Parliament· 154 sittings on record · 30,475 speeches · latest 10 June 2026

Sitting of Thursday, 22 May 2025

10th Parliament· 16 debates· 177 speeches· 64 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1750307293077610 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard

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Order of business

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

  6. 6 Oral question Oral Question: Tea Smallholders in Kalutara District (Q.3/2025) 6 speeches
    • The Hon. Danushka Ranganath JJB

      AI summary Hon. Danushka Ranganath asked the Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure for details on tea smallholders in the Kalutara District, including their numbers, contribution to national tea exports, and the number of Tea Small Holding Development Societies providing fertilizer and equipment. He also sought information on welfare measures for smallholders, the procedures for membership enrolment and elections in those societies, and whether those details would be tabled in the House.

      AgriculturePublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Sundaralingam Pradeep - Deputy Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB

      AI summary On behalf of the Minister, the Deputy Minister provided figures on tea smallholders and production, stating that Kalutara District has 43,984 tea smallholders and produced 15.514 million kg of made tea in 2024, representing 7.86% of national smallholder production. He said there are 120 Tea Smallholding Development Societies and outlined the “Tea Shakthi” insurance benefit scheme, including eligibility through society membership and benefits for specified medical conditions, disability, accidental death and natural death. He also explained the procedures for society membership and the election of office bearers, including eligibility requirements, annual fees, two-year terms and reorganization under the Tea Smallholders Development Authority.

      Agriculture Full speech →
    • The Hon. Danushka Ranganath JJB

      AI summary Hon. Danushka Ranganath raised concerns about rural societies that provide benefits such as concessional fertilizer but, in some cases, operate irregularly with alleged corruption and malpractice by long-serving officials. He asked whether the rule requiring two years’ membership to become a president or office-bearer could be amended, possibly reduced to six months, to enable reorganization and better support smallholders.

      Corruption & Governance ReformAgriculture Full speech →
    • The Hon. Sundaralingam Pradeep JJB

      AI summary Hon. Sundaralingam Pradeep responded to a query on eligibility to hold office in societies, noting that the current requirement is two years of membership. He said the proposal to reduce the period to six months would be discussed with the societies, and that steps would be taken to introduce amendments in the future.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Danushka Ranganath JJB

      AI summary Hon. Danushka Ranganath asked whether the Government could support poor rural families in districts such as Kalutara, where farmers are shifting from rubber to tea due to quicker returns and climate conditions. He proposed identifying low-income families and assisting them, possibly through smallholder societies, to cultivate half-acre tea plots that could generate income within 18 to 24 months, and asked whether funds could be allocated in future budgets.

      Cost of LivingAgriculture Full speech →
    • The Hon. Sundaralingam Pradeep JJB

      AI summary Farmers with more than 20 perches have been identified for support to facilitate cultivation. The Tea Smallholders Development Authority is prepared to provide the necessary guidance and assistance.

      Agriculture Full speech →