Sitting of Thursday, 22 January 2026
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 23203 ·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 1 speeches
- 2 Procedural Procedural: Point of Order - Constitutional Council Ruling 1 speeches
- 3 Debate Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Motion 1 speeches
- 4 Papers Papers: Sectoral Oversight Committee Report on Environment, Agriculture and Sustainable Use of Resources 2 speeches
- 5 Petitions Petitions Presented 5 speeches
- 6 Oral question Oral Question: Kantale Hospital Facilities (Supplementary) 1 speeches
- 7 Oral question Oral Question: Disabled Students Studying at State Universities - Facilities (Q. 1323/2025) 1 speeches
- 8 Oral question Oral Question Supplementary: Disabled Students at State Universities 1 speeches
- 9 Oral question Oral Question: Officers of Sri Lanka Principals' Service - Details (Q. 1348/2025) 1 speeches
- 10 Oral question Oral Question Reply: Officers of Sri Lanka Principals' Service 1 speeches
- 11 Oral question Oral Question: Buildings Housing NAITA District Office and Training Centres of Trincomalee - Lease (Q. 1555/2025) 5 speeches
- 12 Oral question Oral Question: Ayurvedic Medicine Manufacturing Plants Regulation 6 speeches
- 13 Oral question Oral Question: Cashew Corporation - Establishment, Objectives and Operations 6 speeches
- The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara JJB
AI summary Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara asked the Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure to provide details on the establishment, objectives and cultivated land extent of the Cashew Corporation. He requested annual data from 2020 onwards on cashew production, national requirement, exports, foreign exchange earnings, imports and related expenditure. He also sought the names of private cashew importers and the measures taken by the Ministry to protect local cashew producers and businesses.
Agriculture Full speech → - The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB
AI summary In response to a parliamentary question, the Minister provided details on the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation, established in 1973 under the State Agricultural Corporations Act, including its objectives of expanding cultivation, improving processing, promoting exports, and developing a Sri Lankan cashew brand. He stated that 38,895 acres were under cashew cultivation by 2024 and gave production, export, and import figures for 2020–2025, noting that some 2025 and 2024 import data were not yet available. He also listed authorized private importers and exporters and said the Government supports local producers through the Cashew Cluster Village Project and restricts imports to off-season or shortage periods.
Agriculture Full speech → - The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara JJB
AI summary Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara raised concerns that low-priced imported cashew kernels, allegedly entering the country in violation of regulations, are undercutting local traders and growers. He asked the Minister whether steps have been taken to prevent such illicit imports.
- The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB
AI summary Sri Lanka’s annual cashew kernel demand is about 25,000 MT, while the projected 2025 domestic harvest is only around 15,000 MT, with demand rising due to tourism. The Minister stated that 5,000 MT of imports had been authorized to protect supply while safeguarding local growers, related industries, and jobs, with licences issued for about 3,000 MT so far. He said the Government would promote local production and coordinate with agencies such as the Consumer Affairs Authority to address substandard or mixed cashew imports, while guiding importers toward quality sources including Tanzania and other African suppliers.
Agriculture Full speech → - The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara JJB
AI summary The Member stated that seasonal demand for kernels in Kuliyapitiya exceeds 300,000 kilograms and that off-season price increases create difficulties for local producers. He asked whether the Ministry could introduce a mechanism allowing small producers or cooperatives to import limited quantities, preferably quality kernels from Tanzania, to maintain operations.
Agriculture Full speech → - The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB
AI summary K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna stated that only 5,000 MT was authorized for import, despite an estimated 10,000 MT shortfall, to prevent a fall in farm-gate prices when the local harvest entered the market. He explained that import permissions were issued in two phases according to market conditions and noted that small-scale operators face financing and scale constraints, often sourcing from licensed bulk importers. He said allowing multiple micro-imports would require coordination with the Trade Ministry and undertook to discuss the matter with them.
- 14 Oral question Oral Question: Lonach Dairy Farm - Environmental Compliance and Waste Disposal 6 speeches
- 15 Oral question Oral Question: Housing Projects Implemented by NHDA - Details and Transparency 6 speeches
- 16 Oral question Oral Question: Sathosa Store Building - Construction and Maintenance 2 speeches
- 17 Oral question Oral Question: Land Provided for Middle-Income Housing Programme 2 speeches
- 18 Oral question Question by Private Notice: Employees' Provident Fund Gratuity to Pension Scheme (Standing Order 27(2)) 3 speeches
- 19 Debate Ministerial Statement: Death of Kuganeshan Dinoja from Silawatta, Mullaitivu 4 speeches
- 20 Procedural Procedural: Privilege Question and Motion on Sittings of Parliament 2 speeches
- 21 Procedural Procedural: Privilege Motion referral 3 speeches
- 22 Procedural Bill Introduction: UNV Foundation Incorporation Bill 2 speeches
- 23 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: Comprehensive Educational Transformation Process 76 speeches