The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, I answer as follows:

¶ 02 (a) (i) Agricultural Research and Production Assistant (ARPA) ranges have been demarcated and established covering one or more Grama Niladhari Divisions. Except for the Northern and Eastern Provinces where there is a cadre limitation, each ARPA range in the other provinces has an appointed ARPA.

¶ 03 (ii) As at 31.12.2025, the number of ARPAs serving in the 25 districts, separately, is given in Annex 01. It is a lengthy annexure.

¶ 04 (iii) Department of Agrarian Development.

¶ 05 (iv) The immediate superior officer is the Head of the Agrarian Service Centre, “Agrarian Development Officer”.

¶ 06 (v) In terms of the recruitment procedure approved on 25.07.2013, and the provisions of the Agrarian Development Act No. 46 of 2000, duties including responsibilities relevant to the ARPA cadre have been assigned within the Agricultural Research and Production Assistant Division. Details are in Annex 02.

¶ 07 (vi) In terms of the recruitment procedure approved on 25.07.2013, a duty list has been issued to ARPAs. Detailed information is in Annex 02.

¶ 08 (vii) The Department of Agrarian Development has not assigned research activities to ARPAs up to now.

¶ 09 (b) (i) All District Offices have been informed to use the performance report format shown in Annex 03 for performance evaluations, and to follow the procedures in Annex 04 when conducting performance appraisals. Annexes 03 and 04 are lengthy.

¶ 10 (ii) Across the island, at range level, ARPAs will collect data and information and coordinate with relevant parties on projects as required at field level.

¶ 11 (iii) Yes.

¶ 12 (c) Not applicable.

¶ 13 Annexes 01 to 04 have been placed in the Library.