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- 5 March 2026 The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth raised concerns over the Middle East conflict and urged Government action to protect Sri Lankan workers there, while also calling for measures such as QR codes to manage emerging fuel and gas queues. He focused extensively on Pottuvil and Arugambay, opposing compulsory leases for long-settled small tourism operators with LDO permits or Jayabhoomi grants, requesting 1,800 metres of geo-bag coastal protection, and questioning the demarcation of the Arugambay Tourism Zone. He also sought agricultural and fisheries support in Ampara District, including paddy dryers, repair of Nintavur paddy stores, release of 186.4 hectares from the Forest Department, an ice factory and fuel station for fishermen, and facilities for veterinary and health services. He further requested absorption of volunteer teachers, reopening of a Nintavur service facility, reconstruction of Addappallam Bridge, and establishment of a Blood Bank and specialist appointments at Nintavur Hospital. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne JJB AI summary Hon. Namal Karunaratne stated that current eligibility criteria rely on registered farmer lists, but data on unregistered dairy farmers who have lost animals is also being reviewed. He said cases with supporting evidence are receiving special attention, though no definitive commitment can yet be made as discussions are still ongoing. Oral Question (Standing Order 27(2)): Large-scale Cattle Deaths in Northern Province Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan asked whether farmers who were not registered, regardless of whether the lapse was due to them or officials, would receive Government assistance given that they too had been badly affected. He sought clarification on whether any plan existed to extend support to this group. Oral Question (Standing Order 27(2)): Large-scale Cattle Deaths in Northern Province Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne said 14,235 cattle and buffaloes died in the Northern Province, and Rs. 900.49 million had been allocated for compensation under National Budget Circular 08/2025(1)8, with Rs. 258.85 million already paid. He outlined compensation rates for registered farms, emergency support including free medicines, mobile veterinary clinics, and 266,650 kilograms of feed distributed after Cyclone “Ditwah” and floods. He said recovery would continue through the Dairy Hub programme, prioritized provincial projects, and an 18-month Rs. 2,500 million World Bank-supported plan focused on feed, animal welfare, health, infrastructure, and genetic improvement, alongside measures such as permanent shelters, fodder development, farm registration, insurance, and concessional loans. Oral Question (Standing Order 27(2)): Large-scale Cattle Deaths in Northern Province Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Under Standing Order 27(2), Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan raised an urgent matter on mass livestock deaths in the Northern Province following adverse weather, particularly in Mannar, Mullaitivu, Vavuniya, Kilinochchi and Jaffna. He said thousands of cattle, buffaloes and goats had died due to extreme cold, rain and inadequate shelter, causing an estimated direct loss exceeding Rs. 150 million and threatening rural livelihoods. He asked whether the Government had conducted a census of losses, what compensation had been paid or planned, what emergency veterinary support was being provided, and whether long-term grants would be introduced for weather-resilient cattle shelters. Oral Question (Standing Order 27(2)): Large-scale Cattle Deaths in Northern Province Read →
- 5 March 2026 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. Oral Question: Cattle in Ampara District (Q.5) Read →
- 5 March 2026 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. Oral Question: Cattle in Ampara District (Q.5) Read →
- 5 March 2026 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. Oral Question: Cattle in Ampara District (Q.5) Read →
- 5 March 2026 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. Oral Question: Cattle in Ampara District (Q.5) Read →
- 5 March 2026 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. Oral Question: Cattle in Ampara District (Q.5) Read →
- 5 March 2026 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. Oral Question: Cattle in Ampara District (Q.5) Read →
- 5 March 2026 Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB AI summary Yields had previously fallen due to environmental and climatic factors, but production is now improving. The Deputy Minister said the Government would support cultivation through inputs and technology while intervening in purchasing prices and marketing to protect farmers. He also noted that export earnings in 2025 had increased compared with earlier years and undertook to address the concerns raised. Oral Question: Export of Minor Export Crops Since 2015 (Q.2) Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. B. Ariyawansha SJB AI summary Hon. B. Ariyawansha said pepper growers in areas such as Matale had suffered from a poor harvest the previous year and that advice from the Export Agriculture Department was not effectively reaching villages. Noting that a new harvest was expected around the end of April, he asked whether the Government would implement a programme to secure maximum export revenue and ensure a fair price for farmers. Oral Question: Export of Minor Export Crops Since 2015 (Q.2) Read →
- 5 March 2026 Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB AI summary Acknowledging concerns raised, the Deputy Minister said Sri Lanka’s minor export crops, including pepper, have strong premium-market demand but had faced reputational damage from past malpractices involving re-exports labelled as Sri Lankan. He said corrective action is being taken with the Trade Ministry and the Food Security Committee, while the Government is distributing planting material, providing inputs, and expanding export villages. He also noted proposals to promote value addition, including a pepper oil plant, and to address crop disease through research and management programmes. Oral Question: Export of Minor Export Crops Since 2015 (Q.2) Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. B. Ariyawansha SJB AI summary Hon. B. Ariyawansha raised concerns about the pepper sector’s export potential and the low prices received by farmers for “light berries,” which he said make up about half the harvest and are currently used for oil production in India. He asked whether the Government has a programme to establish a pepper oil production plant in Sri Lanka and what action will be taken to investigate and address a leaf-yellowing disease affecting pepper vines. Oral Question: Export of Minor Export Crops Since 2015 (Q.2) Read →
- 5 March 2026 Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister, answering on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, listed Sri Lanka’s main export agricultural crops, including spices, coffee, cocoa, arecanut, betel, kithul products, and related value-added oils and oleoresins. He stated that crop-wise export revenue data for 2015–2025, including detailed cinnamon figures, had been provided in annexes. He outlined measures to improve export performance, including GAP and GMP certification, post-harvest and value-addition support, organic and fair-trade certification assistance, productivity improvements, farmer training, buyer linkages, export-oriented agriculture villages, cultivation expansion, and research programmes. Oral Question: Export of Minor Export Crops Since 2015 (Q.2) Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. B. Ariyawansha SJB AI summary Hon. B. Ariyawansha asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation to identify Sri Lanka’s main minor export crops and provide annual export revenue from 2015 to date for each year. He also requested details on measures taken to further promote exports of these crops, or an explanation if the information could not be provided. Oral Question: Export of Minor Export Crops Since 2015 (Q.2) Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Hon. Kins Nelson supported regulating microfinance but urged the Government to consult indebted borrowers, especially women, before passing the Bill, distinguishing genuine community-based lending groups from exploitative lenders and ensuring relief for those affected. He questioned whether village societies and voluntary groups would fall under Central Bank oversight, called for the National Women’s Commission to be revived before its representation in the proposed Authority, and asked women MPs to be involved. He also raised implementation concerns over disability, kidney patient and elderly allowances, and demanded a guaranteed paddy price for farmers in areas where harvesting had begun. He reminded the Government of past commitments made to indebted women during a 2021 protest and urged those pledges to be honoured before enactment. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. Aravinda Senarath JJB AI summary Aravinda Senarath said the Government recognizes the importance of village-level minor irrigation and ellangawa cascade systems in districts such as Mullaitivu and Vavuniya, alongside major, medium and Mahaweli schemes. He noted that while all tanks in the district may not be completed within the next year, the “Wari Mahima – Ape Urumaya” programme is prioritizing the Vanni districts following requests from the coordinating committee, with special attention to rehabilitation of these systems. Oral Question: Irrigation Tanks and Cascade Systems in Vavuniya (Q.1406/2025) Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam asked whether funding could be allocated from the following year to rehabilitate cascade irrigation systems in the Vanni. He said many small and medium tanks, including 222 abandoned tanks in Vavuniya, could support village water needs, livestock, inland fisheries, groundwater recharge, and environmental protection while reducing the need for large irrigation schemes involving deforestation. Oral Question: Irrigation Tanks and Cascade Systems in Vavuniya (Q.1406/2025) Read →