Topic
Agriculture
1,763 speeches · 318 speakers
Party share
By the speaker's party · counts only, no scoring. "Unattributed" = speeches not resolved to an MP.
Most active on this topic
| # | Member | Speeches |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hon. Namal Karunaratne, M.P. JJB | 104 |
| 2 | Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe, M.P. JJB | 93 |
| 3 | Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna, M.P. JJB | 83 |
| 4 | Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe, M.P. JJB | 48 |
| 5 | Hon. Kins Nelson, M.P. SJB | 39 |
| 6 | Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha, M.P. JJB | 37 |
| 7 | Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, M.P. NDF | 32 |
| 8 | Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa, M.P. JJB | 32 |
| 9 | Hon. Sajith Premadasa, M.P. SJB | 32 |
| 10 | Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar, M.P. JJB | 30 |
Speeches
1,763 on this topic- 10 June 2026 Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath said the North and East had been further affected by the economic crisis after years of ethnic conflict, and called for a decisive economic recovery plan linked to a permanent political solution and justice for Tamils. He urged the Government to set a guaranteed paddy price of at least Rs. 150 per kilogram, citing high production costs and imminent harvests in Batticaloa, and to urgently release the Mayilathamadu-Madhavanai grazing lands following the President’s assurance. He also requested humane and just action regarding the arrest of singer Ganeshkumar Sangeethsan, stressing freedom of expression and reiterating opposition to the Emergency and the PTA. Debate: Central Bank Rules on Export Proceeds Repatriation and Essential Public Services Resolution Read →
- 10 June 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha supported the Rules under the Central Bank Act requiring residual export proceeds to be converted by the 10th of the following month, arguing they would help stabilize the exchange rate and strengthen the economy amid external shocks. She cited improved Government revenue and primary balance figures for early 2026, and said price reductions at Lanka Sathosa and support for farmers, fishers, SMEs, and flood-affected Kolonnawa residents showed that fiscal gains were being passed on to the public. She also stated that compensation payments to Kolonnawa flood victims were ongoing, with Rs. 4,028 million already disbursed out of Rs. 9,836 million due. Debate: Central Bank Rules on Export Proceeds Repatriation and Essential Public Services Resolution Read →
- 10 June 2026 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Government was managing external economic pressures while restoring growth, reserves, relief measures, and agricultural support. He rejected claims that fertilizer payments were being withheld, stating that subsidies are paid only for cultivated land and that 571,025 farmers had been credited, with the two-hectare subsidy doubled from Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 60,000. He outlined fertilizer procurement and distribution at subsidized prices through Agrarian Service Centres and said the Government was reimbursing eligible purchases and extending assistance to intercropping on paddy lands. He also defended the Government’s paddy pricing policy, citing guaranteed prices based on production cost plus 30 percent, and said preparations were underway for possible El Niño/La Niña-related food security risks. Debate: Central Bank Rules on Export Proceeds Repatriation and Essential Public Services Resolution Read →
- 10 June 2026 The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran raised concerns about blast and dynamite fishing in the North, alleging inaction by the Fisheries Department and Navy and requesting ministerial attention and corrective measures. Addressing the Monetary Law Act Rules and the Essential Public Services Act Resolution, he said tighter requirements on exporters to repatriate and convert foreign exchange may support reserves and the rupee but could undermine exporter confidence if not temporary. He also criticized domestic stock management, citing large quantities of paddy deteriorating in Northern Province warehouses while scarce foreign exchange is spent on rice imports, and warned that uncleared stocks could affect the next harvest. Debate: Central Bank Rules on Export Proceeds Repatriation and Essential Public Services Resolution Read →
- 10 June 2026 The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran raised concern over the arrest and detention of villu paattu artist Kanesukumar Sangeethkan under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, describing it as part of wider intimidation of artists, creators and journalists. He called for Sangeethkan’s immediate release and reiterated a demand to repeal the PTA. He also highlighted severe hardship among Northern Province fishers in Mullaitivu, Mannar, Kilinochchi and Jaffna, citing illegal purse-seine and light-assisted fishing as threats to their livelihoods. Debate: Central Bank Rules on Export Proceeds Repatriation and Essential Public Services Resolution Read →
- 10 June 2026 Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB AI summary Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake asked about Kurunegala Plantations, noting that its landholding had fallen from 16,300 acres to 12,278 acres while it continued to be taxed as if it held the larger extent. He stated that despite earning a Rs. 634 million special profit and distributing 20 per cent to employees, the company still pays multiple Treasury taxes and 20 per cent withholding tax on dividends, and sought clarification on steps to correct the tax basis. Oral Question: Chilaw Plantations Limited and Hospital Infrastructure (Q.5-6) Read →
- 10 June 2026 Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB AI summary Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna stated that the state-owned Chilaw and Kurunegala Plantations had faced declining profits and poor maintenance, including several years without fertilizer application, but are now under proper management regimes. He said fertilizer, pest control and upkeep have resumed, aided by a 27,500 MT MOP fertilizer donation from Russia distributed to coconut growers and plantation companies. He added that underutilized lands are being used for new cultivation such as coconut, cashew and mango, or leased to farmers, contributing to improved profitability within a year. Oral Question: Chilaw Plantations Limited and Hospital Infrastructure (Q.5-6) Read →
- 10 June 2026 Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB AI summary Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake asked what measures have been taken to rehabilitate estates under Chilaw Plantations, noting that the company has an outstanding liability of about Rs. 203 million according to ministry documents. He framed the question in the context of the Ministry’s expansion of coconut cultivation beyond the traditional coconut triangle, including the launch of a new coconut triangle starting from the Northern Province. Oral Question: Chilaw Plantations Limited and Hospital Infrastructure (Q.5-6) Read →
- 10 June 2026 Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary The Minister stated that Chilaw Plantations Limited granted Rs. 105 million in short-term loans in 2010 to five state-linked institutions at 8 per cent interest, repayable within three years. He reported that no principal or interest has been recovered, and that the outstanding amount as at 31 December 2025 totals Rs. 202,957,808.20, with interest not computed for some loans due to absent or improper agreements. He said the debtor institutions had been repeatedly notified, the matter is before the Ministry Audit Committee, and action is being taken under Public Enterprise Circular 01/2021(i) to write off the loans following guidance from the Department of Public Enterprises. Oral Question: Chilaw Plantations Limited and Hospital Infrastructure (Q.5-6) Read →
- 10 June 2026 Hon. Chandana Thennakoon JJB AI summary Hon. Chandana Thennakoon raised a supplementary question on crop-raiding elephants in Galgamuwa, Ehetuwewa, Ambanpola, Nikaweratiya and parts of Yapahuwa, noting that elephants living in small forest patches outside major forests damage crops, houses and property. He asked whether, beyond opening wildlife offices and providing vehicles, the Government has any new scientific plans to manage elephants in non-forest areas. Procedural: Points of Order and Oral Question - Human-Elephant Conflict, Kurunegala District (Q.4) Read →
- 10 June 2026 Hon. Chandana Thennakoon JJB AI summary Hon. Chandana Thennakoon asked about measures to manage the escalating human-elephant conflict, noting recent ministerial interventions including absorbing unlawfully recruited multipurpose workers as electric fence maintenance assistants and deploying about 5,000 Civil Security personnel. He sought clarification on whether there is a programme to overcome practical and legal constraints and use these officers more effectively. Procedural: Points of Order and Oral Question - Human-Elephant Conflict, Kurunegala District (Q.4) Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. Naina Thambi Marrikkar Mohamed Thahir AI summary Hon. Naina Thambi Marrikkar Mohamed Thahir said his side could support a further extension of emergency regulations under the Public Security Ordinance if they are used to address unresolved damage from Cyclone “Ditva” and to combat narcotics trafficking. He urged authorities to identify and mark dangerous coastal areas in Kalpitiya following repeated drownings, including recent deaths at Norochcholai and Daluw. He also requested action to address shortages and lack of cold storage at the newly upgraded Puttalam District General Hospital, and called for fuel or electricity-related subsidies to support Kalpitiya farmers facing rising costs. Debate on Public Security Ordinance: Extension of State of Emergency Read →
- 9 June 2026 Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa criticised the Government for failing to implement election promises to farmers, citing high input costs, poor-quality and scarce fertilizer, lack of guaranteed prices, and inadequate action on the human-elephant conflict. He called for the promised guaranteed paddy price, including the stated Rs. 150 per 8 kg pledge, to be delivered and for Treasury allocations to be used to protect livelihoods. He also raised concerns about Divisional Secretaries and other public officers lacking fuel allowances and facilities, and about the suspension of examinations and stalled registrations for over 700 traditional and specialist Ayurvedic practitioners under issues linked to Act No. 31 of 1961. Debate on Public Security Ordinance: Extension of State of Emergency Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Namal Rajapaksa criticized the Government’s handling of the economy, citing increased poverty, high fertilizer and fuel costs, import policies affecting farmers and fishers, electricity and coal issues, and alleged port irregularities. He questioned the lack of progress on graduate employment, education scheduling, and post-Cyclone Ditta relief and reconstruction, including the use of announced Indian grant and loan support. He also raised concerns over selective use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, contrasting an arrest over a rap song with alleged LTTE-related campaign material used by government-linked figures, and urged that investigations not be politicized. Debate on Orders and Regulations (Items 1-5) Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister provided the Government’s response to a question on the economic impact of the “Ditva” cyclone, outlining compensation mechanisms issued through Finance Ministry circulars and Disaster Relief Service Guidelines, with sector-specific payments for agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and MSMEs. She detailed a concessional working capital loan scheme for affected enterprises, allocating Rs. 10,000 million through 15 banks, with Rs. 3,812.48 million disbursed to 2,980 enterprises by 28 April 2026, alongside banking moratoria and fee waivers under Central Bank directions. She also stated that disaster management institutions and relevant line ministries have prepared recovery and future risk-reduction plans, with annexed documents placed in the Library. Ministerial Statements Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa stated that people across multiple sectors, including farmers, fishers, workers, industrialists, MSMEs, the self-employed, salaried employees, and entrepreneurs, are facing hardships and expect practical solutions. He called for Government intervention to address their difficulties. Oral Questions 8-27(2): Standing Order questions Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara raised concerns over rising gold-loan indebtedness, noting Rs. 3,514.5 million in gold loans over 15 months and an average household burden of about Rs. 168,000, much of it through rural banks. He warned that the relevant authorization had lapsed in 2024, potentially creating legal issues, and questioned the impact on farmers who pawned gold to fund cultivation amid an upcoming harvest, reported rice imports of 157,000 metric tons, and the stated rice price band. Oral Questions 1-10 Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB AI summary Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna responded to concerns raised from an international human rights organization about conditions on some plantations, stating that the matter is being discussed with the Ministry of Labour and that a formal response will be provided. He said the Government must handle such issues carefully due to international market competition and the economic importance of plantation crops. He cited measures including a Rs. 400 daily wage increase for estate workers and accelerated provision of house and land ownership to line-room residents, with the land allocation increased from 7 to 10 perches. Oral Questions 1-10 Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC, raised concerns that private plantation companies are profiting from government-owned land, infrastructure, and public wage support while allegedly mistreating estate workers. Citing a recent Amnesty International report describing conditions akin to debt bondage, he asked the Minister whether action would be taken against these companies. Oral Questions 1-10 Read →
- 9 June 2026 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary The Minister answered Question No. 6 on privatized plantation estates, stating that 398 estates are leased to Regional Plantation Companies, with additional estates under government-owned plantation companies and direct management by SLSPC and JEDB. He said the leases run for 53 years from June 1992 to June 2045, and tabled annexes on estate details, employee numbers, and RPC profit/loss data. He further stated that RPCs are private companies audited by private audit firms under company law, that state audit does not apply, and that there is no legal requirement to table their financial statements in Parliament. Oral Questions 1-10 Read →