Politick Parliament. On record. For every citizen.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
10th Parliament· 154 sittings on record · 30,475 speeches · latest 10 June 2026

Sitting of Friday, 20 March 2026

10th Parliament· 15 debates· 143 speeches· 55 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 23396 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard

‹ Previous sitting Next sitting ›

Order of business

Speeches load per item. Summaries shown here are AI-generated and labelled; verbatim text is on each speech page.

  7. 7 Oral question Oral Question: Consumer Affairs Authority Rice Raids (Q.640/2025) 5 speeches
    • The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB

      AI summary In response to Question 640/2025, figures were provided on Consumer Affairs Authority rice-related raids: 4,266 in 2024, 4,850 in 2025, and 359 up to February 2026, with fines totaling Rs. 244.8 million. He stated that nationwide inspections are continuing and that approval has been obtained to recruit 120 Investigation Officers this year to strengthen investigations and raids.

      Cost of Living Full speech →
    • The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB

      AI summary The Hon. Kins Nelson raised a supplementary question on the continuing shortage of Keeri Samba and Samba rice despite guaranteed prices of Rs. 260 and Rs. 240, noting that black-market traders are allegedly buying at much higher prices. He questioned whether major paddy mills are holding stocks, asked where black-market supplies originate, and sought details of concrete measures by the Ministry to release hidden stocks and make rice available to consumers at concessionary prices.

      AgricultureCost of Living Full speech →
    • The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB

      AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe said Keeri Samba production remains limited relative to rising demand, particularly from middle-class consumers and the tourism sector, while Nadu accounts for most rice consumption. He stated that cultivation has been expanded, including 78,000 hectares for the 2026 Maha season and planned increases in seed allocation and Yala cultivation, with the aim of bringing supply slightly above demand. He explained that temporary shortages arise because Keeri Samba is best milled after around six months of storage, and said limited imports/substitutions were allowed to bridge gaps. He added that big mills have been registered with the Paddy Marketing Board and that the Consumer Affairs Authority will conduct raids against sales above the guaranteed price of Rs. 260.

      Agriculture Full speech →
    • The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB

      AI summary Hon. Kins Nelson questioned the use of the Rs. 6 billion allocated in 2025 to the Paddy Marketing Board for purchasing paddy, asking how much of the Yala stock had been milled and released to the market, including through Lanka Sathosa at concessionary prices. He highlighted remaining stocks in warehouses, including 1.5 million kilograms at the Mahaweli warehouse in Vellikanda, Polonnaruwa, where some paddy had reportedly been damaged by water after elephant intrusion, and requested an investigation into whether it could still be milled.

      Public FinanceAgriculture Full speech →
    • The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB

      AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe explained that Paddy Marketing Board stocks from the Yala season, totaling 50,000 MT with an additional 4,000 MT bought by Sathosa, are being milled through registered service providers and mills. He stated that around 5,000 MT per month is being released to Lanka Sathosa, Triposha, the Food Commission, private sector buyers, and co-operatives, with over 8,000 MT released in the previous two months. He said PMB warehouse stocks are issued under agreements requiring mills to process and return rice, and that the process is continuing.

      AgriculturePublic Finance Full speech →