Sitting of Wednesday, 10 September 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1758017450079419 ·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 Reports and Papers (Annual Reports and Performance Reports) 5 speeches
- 3 Committee report Committee Report: Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill 1 speeches
- 4 Petitions Presentation of Petitions 4 speeches
- 5 Procedural Procedural: Points of Order regarding No-confidence Motion and Speaker's Ruling 16 speeches
- 6 Papers Tabling of Committee Report and Petitions (Second Round) 5 speeches
- 7 Oral question Oral Question: Ceylon Electricity Board (Q.1/2024) and Digital Economy Initiatives (Q.2/2025) 15 speeches
- 8 Oral question Oral Question: University Admissions based on G.C.E. (A/L) Examination Results 3 speeches
- 9 Oral question Oral Question: Tea Smallholder Contribution to Production (Q.1/2024) 8 speeches
- 10 Oral question Oral Questions: Stand Down (Q.2-117/2024 and Q.3-1253/2025) 5 speeches
- 11 Oral question Oral Question: UDA Projects in Gampaha DS Division (Q.4-1254/2025) 9 speeches
- 12 Oral question Oral Questions: Jaffna Massacre (Q. 2-117/2024) and Displaced Persons in Valikamam North (Q. 3-1253/2025) 7 speeches
- 13 Procedural Ministerial Statement: Private Lands in Vanni Electoral District and Leader of House Announcement 7 speeches
- 14 Debate Debate: Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading 41 speeches
- 15 Debate Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill - Voting and Third Reading 3 speeches
- 16 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: Fair Guaranteed Price for Paddy 31 speeches
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake — Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House
AI summary The Minister moved the adjournment of Parliament. Following the motion, the Chair passed from the Hon. Speaker to the Hon. Deputy Speaker, who then called on Hon. Rohana Bandara to speak for seven minutes.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Rohana Bandara
AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara moved an Adjournment Motion urging the Government to ensure a fair guaranteed price for paddy, arguing that the controlled price and current purchasing arrangements are not reaching farmers in practice. He cited delayed fertiliser subsidies, higher input costs, inadequate crop-damage compensation, moisture and drying problems after combine harvesting, lack of storage access, and farmers being forced to sell at lower field prices. He proposed a more practical State purchasing mechanism, including field-level purchasing, advance payments, drying support, and timely intervention to balance farmer incomes with consumer rice prices.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa — Leader of the Opposition
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa seconded the Adjournment Motion and argued that Sri Lanka’s paddy sector requires a comprehensive national agricultural plan covering seed, inputs, production, storage, milling and marketing. He called for restoration of recommended fertiliser use, a legally implemented guaranteed paddy price above Rs. 120, support for small and medium millers, expanded certified seed supply, better storage and dryer systems, modern agri-technology, and timely subsidies. He also raised concerns over continued rice imports despite domestic production exceeding stated national need, and urged stronger action on crop insurance, compensation and human–elephant conflict.
Agriculture Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha — Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation
AI summary The Minister said the Government intervenes in paddy purchasing through the Paddy Marketing Board and acknowledged that the PMB has not operated at the required scale. He noted that for the 2024–2025 Maha season the PMB began operations but was not able to undertake a large-scale role, and referred to the ongoing 2025 Yala season in the context of current paddy purchasing arrangements.
Agriculture Full speech → - The Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha - Minister of Agriculture and Lands JJB
AI summary Minister K.D. Lal Kantha stated that the Paddy Marketing Board had intervened more effectively in the Yala season through direct purchases and by facilitating bank credit for paddy storage and mill owners. He said the Rs. 120 per kilogram indicative price was based on verified production costs plus a 30 per cent profit margin, not a fixed permanent rate, and that higher prices would apply only if costs rose. He acknowledged logistical constraints, including limited PMB depots, moisture standards, and inadequate dryers, which had allowed some private buyers to pay below Rs. 120 in certain areas. He said the Government intended to rebuild PMB capacity, maintain buffer stocks, and continue support such as timely fertilizer assistance.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK
AI summary Gnanamuththu Srineshan raised farmers’ issues in the North and East, especially Batticaloa, highlighting delays in government price-setting and paddy procurement that leave farmers vulnerable to low private-sector prices. He called for rehabilitation of storage facilities such as the former PMB warehouse at Theavapuram, more drying yards and functional warehouses, timely delivery of fertilizer and inputs, and faster compensation for flood-related crop losses. He also urged action on human–elephant conflict in Batticaloa, Ampara and Trincomalee, citing inadequate wildlife sub-offices and staff and stating that electric fences alone are insufficient.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne outlined government action on paddy purchasing, fertilizer support, and farmer compensation, stating that minimum paddy prices were set on a cost-plus basis and that state stores had been reopened, receiving 59,000 MT in the last Maha and 43,891 MT so far in the current Yala. He said cultivation support had increased from Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 50,000 per two hectares, with additional support for intercrops on fallow land, and that these payments were excluded from cost calculations to avoid lowering farmers’ minimum prices. He reported that arrears in compensation had been cleared and payments completed for 70,548 farmers affected in the last Maha, while criticizing previous unpaid dues for onion seed and potato purchases. He said the Government is restoring the Paddy Marketing Board, expanding soil testing, seed production, research, technology use, and livestock development to stabilize food supply, improve market access, reduce food imports, and support exports.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB
AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara argued that farmers have become poorer as agriculture’s GDP share has fallen and production costs have risen, and urged timely payment of fertilizer support funds to farmers’ bank accounts. He said technology adoption and yields remain weak, and highlighted onion production shortfalls, noting large import costs. He requested that traditional chena cultivation lands in Monaragala, including areas such as Kotiyagala, Ethimale and Buttala, be restored to local farmers rather than diverted to a solar project or cattle use, while emphasizing that he was not seeking new forest land.
- The Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha - Minister of Agriculture and Lands JJB
AI summary K.D. Lal Kantha, Minister of Agriculture and Lands, stated that if the Monaragala District Coordinating Committee passes a resolution and sends it to the Ministry, approval will be granted. The remark indicates that ministerial action is contingent on a formal DCC resolution.
Agriculture Full speech → - The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB
AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara expressed support for the decision under discussion, stating that its purpose should be to protect farmers.
Agriculture Full speech → - The Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana - Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security JJB
AI summary R.M. Jayawardhana stated that the lands in question are subject to a pending court case and were vested in the Department of Forest Conservation by a 2012 Gazette. He added that a previous Coordinating Committee decision had barred entry to the forest, and said these facts remain in effect.
- The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB
AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara argued that traditional land rights of poor farmers should be restored rather than curtailed on the basis of court cases or agency concerns. He contrasted current decisions with past good governance and UNP policies, stating that released lands had enabled farmers to prosper, while many now struggle to repay loans. He urged authorities to assess conditions on the ground, protect the environment, and support onion farmers to rebuild livelihoods and improve domestic production.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB
AI summary Nalin Bandara Jayamaha argued that the Government failed to secure fair paddy prices and that the Paddy Marketing Board’s procurement and milling plan did not deliver the promised low-priced rice supply, leaving stocks insufficient for national needs. He urged an immediate assessment of rice varieties and the importation of Samba to prevent further price increases, while criticizing the allocation of PMB milling work to a politically connected large operator instead of small and medium millers. He also called for an urgent mechanism to purchase and process burnt sugarcane at Sevanagala, saying farmers should be protected while any arsonists are investigated and punished.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Sellaththamby Thilakanathan JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Sellaththamby Thilakanathan outlined government support for agriculture in the North and East, citing increased fertilizer subsidies, assistance for subsidiary crops, and allocations for irrigation and tank rehabilitation in Mullaitivu. He said abandoned wartime lands and tanks are being revived, including work on the Niththakai command area and proposed canal rehabilitation at Muththaiyankattu following a request to the President. He also noted increases in milk purchase prices to support livestock farmers and reduce dairy imports, and said damaged paddy storage facilities in the North are being refurbished to support procurement and storage.
Agriculture Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB
AI summary Hon. Kins Nelson questioned whether the Paddy Marketing Board had received adequate paddy under the Yala guaranteed prices, noting that only about 3,667 MT had reached PMB depots in Polonnaruwa and alleging that farmers were effectively forced to sell to private buyers. He argued that current production costs in Polonnaruwa are far above official estimates and that a fair procurement price for paddy would be around Rs. 170 per kilogram, citing increases in harvesting, fuel, and other costs despite lower urea prices. He called for timely inputs and water, special state bank credit to reduce farmers’ dependence on moneylenders, and measures to restore farmer confidence ahead of the Maha purchase, while also highlighting the added burden of human-elephant conflict.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB
AI summary The Deputy Minister rejected claims that the Government had not engaged with farmers, citing the Rs. 120 per kilogram paddy minimum price, activation of Paddy Marketing Board procurement, and the increase in fertilizer support from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 25,000. He said the PMB had been revived from a poor operational and financial position through reopening and repairing stores, using alternative storage and staff arrangements, and providing security where needed, though some wet paddy had sold below the target price. He stated that these measures helped prevent a collapse in farmgate prices and that further steps would include adding dryers, improving storage technology, introducing updated rice cultivation packages, addressing fertilizer payment issues, and exploring government-to-government fertilizer procurement with China.
Agriculture Full speech → - The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC
AI summary Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth raised longstanding land grievances in Ampara arising from displacement and subsequent gazetting of traditional cultivated lands as State or Forest lands, citing specific areas in Pottuvil and Lahugala that had been identified for release. He requested review and release of affected paddy lands, including Palliyadivattai, and implementation of the 2023 decision to distribute 502 acres in the Grangowai area to people of Lahugala and Pottuvil. He also urged expedited implementation of the Heda Oya project, noting prior allocations and its potential to support irrigation over about 14,000 acres and drinking water for more than 10,000 families. He concluded by acknowledging recent support for health services, industry promotion and local administration in the area.
- The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB
AI summary Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna said Government paddy purchasing in the Yala season is not yet ideal, but attributed constraints to an inherited weak treasury and Paddy Marketing Board capacity, citing over 45,000 MT purchased despite limited usable stores and staffing shortages. He highlighted Rs. 78,000 million allocated for irrigation, resumed canal and tank rehabilitation, planned provision of dryers, and phased measures on human-elephant conflict. He also stated that the Government aims to reduce production costs through land-use rationalization, technology and labour-saving practices, while allocating about Rs. 20,000 million for Maha fertilizer support and moving toward timely supply of quality fertilizers.
- The Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka SJB
AI summary Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka criticized the Government for continuing to blame predecessors after a year in office and argued that its manifesto promise of a “contented farming life” has not been met. He said import timing for crops such as onions and potatoes undermines local farmers, and cited inconsistent official statements on paddy production costs, tabling National Farmers Union estimates ranging around Rs. 105–115 per kg. He questioned the adequacy of the Paddy Marketing Board’s 46,000 MT stock against a projected 2.4 million MT Yala 2024 output and said many medium millers cannot access the cited Rs. 5 billion credit line due to bank blacklisting. He called for a more effective mechanism to ensure the Yala harvest is purchased fairly, warning that farmers would be mobilized if the issue is neglected.
Agriculture Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB
AI summary The Minister rejected the Opposition’s Motion alleging inadequate paddy prices, insufficient purchasing, and delayed fertilizer, stating that only about 54 percent of the Yala harvest had been completed and the season was still ongoing. He said Yala cultivation had increased by about 80,000 hectares, with expected production exceeding 2.3 million metric tons, supported by fertilizer assistance and Rs. 21 billion already disbursed for the season. He also stated that credit had been provided to millers, including small and medium operators, and that the Government would continue rehabilitating stores, expanding dryers, and stabilizing market prices for farmers and consumers.
- The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB
AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe outlined Government measures to support paddy purchasing and milling, stating that Rs. 6,528 million in loans had been approved for 244 mill owners, with 58 percent disbursed, and that Rs. 8 billion had been provided to the Paddy Marketing Board. He said the Government had set graded paddy prices, including Rs. 120 per kilogram for properly dried paddy, to prevent farmers being exploited by lower open-market prices, and would table harvest and purchase data for Members. He also referred to PMB purchase volumes in recent years, its outstanding bank debt of about Rs. 29.25 billion, and measures to bring non-performing and sealed mills back into the process, while rejecting Opposition allegations about the programme.