Sitting of Wednesday, 6 August 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: National Audit (Amendment) Bill - Supreme Court Decision 1 speeches ▸
2. 2 Papers Papers: Tabling of Annual and Performance Reports 6 speeches ▸
3. 3 Petitions Petitions 9 speeches ▸
4. 4 Oral question Oral Question: Poverty Eradication Programmes (Q.59/2025) 32 speeches ▸
5. 5 Oral question Oral Question: Cases Filed by Attorney-General's Department (Q.2/2025) 13 speeches ▸
6. 6 Procedural Procedural: Record on Second Reading Debate - Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill 1 speeches ▸
7. 7 Oral question Oral Question: Sri Lanka Customs - Release of Containers without Inspection (Q.1/2025) 7 speeches ▸
8. 8 Oral question Oral Question: Ceylon Electricity Board Power Cut Decision (Q.1/2025) 8 speeches ▸
9. 9 Oral question Oral Question: Hospitals Governed under Central Provincial Council (Q.1/2025) 21 speeches ▸
10. 10 Oral question Oral Question: Agricultural Crop Export Producers and Regulatory Framework (Q.1/2025) 6 speeches ▾
    • The Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody JJB

      AI summary Ruwanthilaka Jayakody asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation whether the Government recognizes farmers producing agricultural crops for export and what facilities are provided to support their exports. He sought details on the role of the Department of Export Agriculture and the specific assistance or access available through it for young entrepreneurs to export agricultural products without impediments.

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

      AI summary Approximately 700,000 stakeholders, including farmers, are involved in export-oriented crops and related industries. The Deputy Minister stated that the Department of Export Agriculture provides training, technical guidance, post-harvest quality support, investment facilitation, and market-linking assistance for export crops such as spices, coffee, cocoa, vanilla, turmeric and ginger. He added that a Business Advisory Unit and district/provincial awareness programmes support stakeholders, while electronic and social media are used to encourage youth participation in export agriculture.

      Agriculture Full speech →
    • The Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody JJB

      AI summary Ruwanthilaka Jayakody raised concerns that export-oriented agriculture is not receiving adequate practical support despite official reports, noting that exporters profit while farmers receive low prices. He cited an example of young graduates abandoning export agriculture after failing to receive sufficient guidance or facilities from the Ministry and the Department of Export Agriculture, and asked what measures would be taken to better encourage youth participation and improve the sector’s effectiveness.

      AgricultureEmployment Full speech →
    • The Hon. Namal Karunaratne JJB

      AI summary Hon. Namal Karunaratne said the export crop sector, including cinnamon and other major crops, has strong potential to earn foreign exchange. He noted past malpractices such as imported pepper being mixed and re-exported as Sri Lankan produce, and said steps are being taken with Ministers and farmer organizations to prevent this. He added that the Budget has substantially increased funding for the Department of Export Agriculture to promote cultivation and address marketing issues so farmers receive fair prices.

      Agriculture Full speech →
    • The Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody JJB

      AI summary Asked whether, following prior concerns raised about corruption in agricultural exports, the authorities have taken steps to prevent such malpractices. Sought an assurance that farmers will be protected from related irregularities.

      AgricultureCorruption & Governance Reform Full speech →
    • The Hon. Namal Karunaratne JJB

      AI summary Namal Karunaratne said imported substandard produce, including pepper, had allegedly been mixed or re-exported as Sri Lankan goods, undermining farmers’ prices and damaging Sri Lanka’s export crop brand in markets such as India. He referred to past campaigns and discussions on the issue, and said the relevant Department is now under his Ministry, which is taking phased action against fraud, corruption and malpractice. He stated that the Government intends to reform the system and develop export crops to increase foreign exchange earnings.

      Corruption & Governance ReformAgriculture Full speech →
11. 11 Oral question Oral Question (Standing Order 27(2)): Review of Policies in the Leasing Sector 6 speeches ▸
12. 12 Procedural Ministerial Statement: Response to Question on Foreign Direct Investment (2025-07-09) 7 speeches ▸
13. 13 Procedural Personal Explanations and Committee Resignations 7 speeches ▸
14. 14 Procedural Procedural: First Reading of Institute of Facilities Management Sri Lanka Bill 1 speeches ▸
15. 15 Debate Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading 93 speeches ▸
16. 16 Papers Papers: Order under Tobacco Tax Act and Regulations under Tea Act 2 speeches ▸
17. 17 Adjournment Adjournment: Parliamentary Adjournment and Adjournment Questions 13 speeches ▸
18. 18 Adjournment Closing: Adjournment of Parliament 1 speeches ▸