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

Sitting of Tuesday, 6 January 2026

10th Parliament· 21 debates· 256 speeches· 78 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 23111 ·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: Import of Cut Flowers and Plants - Details (Q.1463/2025) 7 speeches
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Ms.) Ambika Samivel JJB

      AI summary The Hon. Ambika Samivel asked the Minister of Environment to provide details on cut flowers and plants imported into Sri Lanka, including the types, annual quantities by type, and annual import costs. She also sought clarification on whether these imported varieties could be cultivated locally and, if so, what programme has been prepared to support such cultivation; if not, she requested the reasons.

      AgricultureEnvironment Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB

      AI summary The Minister of Environment responded to a question on cut flower imports, stating that import data are sourced from Customs and the Plant Quarantine Division, while the Department of National Botanic Gardens issues recommendations for cut flower imports. He said annual expenditure on imported flowers is approximately Rs. 746 million, and identified several imported varieties that can be grown locally, including rose, carnation, gerbera, hydrangea, anthurium, orchids and lilies. He outlined ongoing support to small and medium growers through the “Suwahas Mal” project and tabled a strategic plan proposing technical and financial assistance, grower cooperatives, a national flower auction, and model floriculture parks in Nuwara Eliya and Badulla to develop domestic cut-flower production.

      EnvironmentAgriculture Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Ms.) Ambika Samivel JJB

      AI summary Hon. (Ms.) Ambika Samivel raised concerns about the floriculture sector in Badulla District, citing staff shortages in areas such as Welimada, Haputale, Diyatalawa and Bandarawela, where only 39 of 79 required workers are in place and research capacity is limited to two researchers. She asked whether there is a recruitment plan to fill these gaps and whether support mechanisms can include growers who are retirees or government employees, who she said are often excluded from assistance.

      AgricultureEmployment Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi JJB

      AI summary The Department of National Botanic Gardens has been reviewing staffing shortages and possible responses, but no final solution was presented. The Member also stated that concerns about eligibility for assistance would be examined and answered, and relevant material was placed in the Library.

      Environment Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Ms.) Ambika Samivel JJB

      AI summary Hon. (Ms.) Ambika Samivel questioned the administrative responsibility for floriculture, noting that although the subject was moved from the Ministry of Agriculture to Environment after 2018, growers still depend largely on the Department of Agriculture due to implementation gaps. She cited areas including Haputale, Diyatalawa, Bindunuwewa and Kegalle District where growers lack adequate technical advice and local officer support, and asked whether floriculture would be returned to Agriculture or an effective programme established under Environment.

      Agriculture Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi JJB

      AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi stated that two separate programme streams are operating independently, one under the Ministry of Agriculture and another through the Department of National Botanic Gardens, with insufficient coordination between them. He said he could not speak in detail on Agriculture’s procedures but would review shortcomings within his remit and coordinate where necessary.

      AgricultureEnvironment Full speech →