Sitting of Thursday, 5 March 2026

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 Parliament Opening and Speaker's Announcements 1 speeches ▸
2. 2 Papers Papers: Report on Observations (PM and Minister of Education) 1 speeches ▸
3. 3 Petitions Petitions: Citizens' Petitions Presented 4 speeches ▸
4. 4 Oral question Oral Question: Multi-Purpose Service Centres in Mullaitivu District (Q.1/1185/2025) 6 speeches ▸
5. 5 Oral question Oral Question: Export of Minor Export Crops Since 2015 (Q.2) 6 speeches ▸
6. 6 Oral question Oral Question: Urban Development (Q.4/1543/2025) - Stand Down 2 speeches ▸
7. 7 Oral question Oral Question: Cattle in Ampara District (Q.5) 7 speeches ▾
   • The Hon. Eranga Gunasekara - Deputy Minister of Urban Development JJB

     AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, Eranga Gunasekara requested two weeks to provide an answer to the question regarding inadequate grazing fields for cattle in the Ampara District. The question was ordered to stand down.

     Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
   • The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC

     AI summary Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation whether the Government is aware of the shortage of grazing land for cattle in Ampara District, where many residents are engaged in animal husbandry. He sought clarification on whether grazing fields will be provided in Pottuvil and other Divisional Secretary divisions, what obstacles exist if not, and whether a modern milk collection centre will be established in Pottuvil to raise milk production and incomes.

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

     AI summary On behalf of the Minister, the Deputy Minister confirmed that steps have been taken regarding grazing lands, but identified obstacles including settlements on such lands, pending court cases, and seasonal competition between paddy cultivation and livestock farming for irrigable land. He stated that Pottuvil produces about 4,500 litres of milk daily and currently has adequate collection and chilling capacity through one Milkman Company facility and three private centres, with scope to expand if production increases.

     Agriculture Full speech →
   • The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC

     AI summary Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth noted that Ampara is a significant milk-producing area but that several DS divisions, including Pottuvil, lack grazing land. He asked whether the Government would establish or facilitate a private silage unit on about five acres to cultivate and distribute fodder such as maize, in order to support dairy production.

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

     AI summary Hon. Namal Karunaratne said the Government would consider the proposed silage programme and develop an implementation plan. He outlined measures to raise daily milk production from about 1 million litres to 3 million litres by 2029, including dairy hubs, farmer networks, free vaccinations, fodder and feed support, cold-chain facilities, imported breeding bulls, and artificial insemination. He also noted that the Badalgama milk factory is planned to open mid next year and will require about 200,000 litres of milk per day, requiring further production promotion.

     Agriculture Full speech →
   • The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC

     AI summary Asked whether the former bull station at Kanagar Village in the Pottuvil Divisional Secretariat area, originally established with support from the Muhammadiyya Livestock Movement, could be revived as a Livestock Development Centre for Ampara. He requested steps to re-establish and operate the facility, arguing it would support cattle development across the district.

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

     AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Government agrees in principle with proposals aimed at increasing agricultural production. He stated that, with the Deputy Minister from Ampara, the Ministry would discuss the feasible proposals and prepare a programme for implementation, while expressing appreciation for the intervention.

     Agriculture Full speech →
8. 8 Oral question Oral Question: Widows' and Orphans' Pensions (Q.6) 6 speeches ▸
9. 9 Oral question Oral Question: Transport/Urban Development (Q.7/1786/2025) - Stand Down 3 speeches ▸
10. 10 Oral question Oral Question: Injustice to Gampaha SANASA Depositors (Q.8) 8 speeches ▸
11. 11 Oral question Oral Question: District Hospital Grading and Health Issues (Q.9) 5 speeches ▸
12. 12 Oral question Oral Question: Kili/Mulankavil Maha Vidyalaya (Q.10/1831/2026) - Stand Down 6 speeches ▸
13. 13 Oral question Oral Question (Standing Order 27(2)): Large-scale Cattle Deaths in Northern Province 5 speeches ▸
14. 14 Oral question Oral Question (Standing Order 27(2)): Justice and Accountability for State-Connected Violations - Deferred 3 speeches ▸
15. 15 Oral question Ministry Statement: Reply to Question on Proactive Utilization (Standing Order 27(2), 18.11.2025) 7 speeches ▸
16. 16 Procedural Procedural: Indian Ocean Security Matter and Parliamentary Debate on Sovereignty 55 speeches ▸
17. 17 Procedural Procedural: Motion on Sitting Hours Extension 1 speeches ▸
18. 18 Adjournment Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day 96 speeches ▸
19. 19 Procedural Procedural: Closing Announcements and Administrative Information 4 speeches ▸