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

Sitting of Tuesday, 23 September 2025

10th Parliament· 19 debates· 193 speeches· 64 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1758876121024768 ·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.

  11. 11 Oral question Oral Question Q.7/2025: Maize Production and Pricing 7 speeches
    • The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB

      AI summary Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne provided data on maize production and imports from 2023 to the first quarter of 2025, noting that projected 2025 production of 341,595 MT and reduced imports reflect an ongoing government promotion programme. He outlined a 2026–2030 plan to raise average yields to 6.1 MT per hectare, reduce production costs, expand technology packages and hybrids in key districts, and establish a Maize Performance Task Force linking farmers, cooperatives, and industry stakeholders. He also stated that dryers and post-harvest support would be provided to reduce aflatoxin, and that a Rs. 135 per kg farmgate price standard for 2024/25 Maha had been agreed based on estimated costs and a 30 per cent profit margin.

      Agriculture Full speech →
    • The Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka SJB

      AI summary Suranga Rathnayaka raised concerns that import permits issued during the previous harvest season depressed crop prices and harmed farmers. He questioned the Government’s guaranteed price of Rs. 135 per kg, arguing that the costing excludes family labour and does not reflect field conditions, and asked that it be reconsidered. He also highlighted distress among black gram farmers.

      AgricultureCost of Living Full speech →
    • The Hon. Namal Karunaratne JJB

      AI summary Family labour was included in maize cost calculations, with Rs. 106 per kilogram given as the average cost and district-level variations acknowledged. A 30 per cent margin was added to set a Rs. 135 per kilogram price, agreed by the Task Force with farmer organisations and experts led by Prof. Buddhi Marambe. He said farmers generally received good prices, while problems mainly affected intermediaries who had stockpiled, and noted that projected imports had fallen from about 253,000 metric tons last year to 67,000 metric tons this year, with a plan to progressively reduce maize imports to zero.

      AgricultureCost of Living Full speech →
    • The Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka SJB

      AI summary Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka yielded his second supplementary question to the Hon. Leader of the Opposition.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of Opposition SJB

      AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned the Deputy Minister on maize farmers’ complaints in Ampara, Monaragala and Anuradhapura that large imports had depressed prices below the announced guaranteed price of about Rs. 140 per kilogram. He said some farmers harvested early and sold green cobs because of the price fall, and compared the reported import volume with previous years, including the fall armyworm period. He asked whether the Government would implement a clear and sustainable plan for the next season to ensure farmers receive the promised price.

      Agriculture Full speech →
    • The Hon. Namal Karunaratne JJB

      AI summary Namal Karunaratne disputed the Opposition Leader’s claim that 300,000 metric tons of maize were imported, stating that imports were 253,000 metric tons last year and are projected at 67,000 metric tons this year. He clarified that maize grown as fodder for dairy is a separate green-biomass cultivation from grain production. He said minimum prices are set using scientific costing by the Task Force, HARTI and farmer organisations with a 30 percent margin, and that the Government is promoting 13 crops to reduce imports.

      Agriculture Full speech →