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- 18 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) M. L. A. M. Hizbullah SLMC AI summary Hon. (Dr.) M. L. A. M. Hizbullah urged the Government to combine agricultural recovery with efforts to attract foreign investment, arguing that inward-looking politics would not address economic problems. He said the “Ditva” cyclone and floods had severely affected fisheries, paddy, vegetable and floriculture sectors, and called for relief including nets, boats, compensation, subsidized seed paddy, fertilizer, fuel, and concessional electricity for agriculture-related production. He asked the Finance Ministry to prepare realistic national recovery plans, reduce barriers such as high power tariffs and input costs, and create a secure, predictable environment for investors, particularly in agriculture. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance Resolution, and Motor Traffic Act Orders (Continuation) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. Athula Welandagoda JJB AI summary Hon. Athula Welandagoda defended the Government’s regulations and orders, saying they were supported by data while the Opposition relied on false allegations. He highlighted paddy procurement in the last Yala season, guaranteed prices, and levy policy as measures to protect farmers and consumers, while citing improved agricultural research, lower inflation, and economic growth as evidence of stabilization. He also rejected Opposition claims on security zones and referred to the recent passage of legislation removing MPs’ pensions as part of changing political culture. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance Resolution, and Motor Traffic Act Orders (Continuation) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka SJB AI summary Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka criticised the Special Commodity Levy regime, arguing that the Rs. 80 per kg levy on imported potatoes has failed to protect domestic farmers amid a sharp fall in production and alleged profiteering in imports. He questioned how levy revenue is used to develop local potato cultivation and claimed similar problems affect paddy farmers, citing low purchase prices in Polonnaruwa and continued benefits to large millers and traders. He also called for reductions in rice prices when miller margins rise and urged the Government to pay overdue disability and elderly allowances. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance Resolution, and Motor Traffic Act Orders (Continuation) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana - Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security JJB AI summary Deputy Minister R.M. Jayawardhana said the regulations under the Special Commodity Levy Act and Imports and Exports (Control) Act are intended to manage import levies, including adjusting the levy on Pakistani hybrid mandarins following a trade-related request under the bilateral agreement. He said SCL increases on potatoes and big onions were approved to protect local farmers during harvest periods, and cited government actions on economic stabilization, housing projects, vehicle imports, debt payments, and IMF support as evidence of progress. He also defended the proposed abolition of MPs’ pensions, arguing that parliamentary pension entitlement after five years is inconsistent with public service pension rules, and noted that the IMF had decided to provide USD 200 million for those affected by Cyclone “Dittha.” Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance Resolution, and Motor Traffic Act Orders (Continuation) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Hon. Namal Rajapaksa criticized the Government’s reduction of import duties on food items, arguing it undermines local farmers and fishers while benefiting import traders, and questioned whether promised funds for paddy purchases and disaster compensation are actually available. He demanded timely fertilizer support, fair crop purchasing, and delivery of promised compensation and housing assistance for those affected by the “Ditwah” cyclone. He also raised concerns over foreign employment schemes, alleging that a Government quota for jobs in Israel was being diverted to private agencies while 750 trained applicants remained waiting, and asked that similar issues with Korean employment be addressed. He further questioned the Government’s claims on national security, citing recent murders near Akuregoda and contrasting them with references to cricket-related security arrangements. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance Resolution, and Motor Traffic Act Orders (Continuation) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva criticised the Government’s continued use of Special Commodity Levies on 62 essential foods, arguing that they should apply only during harvest periods and that current policy raises consumer prices contrary to election pledges on VAT and tax relief. He questioned the Government’s consistency on agricultural support, citing stalled cold storage facilities, taxes on agricultural equipment, and wider para-tariffs affecting housing materials. He also demanded action on governance commitments linked to the IMF programme, including a clear position on the IVS–VFS e-visa issue and the delayed Procurement Law, while alleging unequal enforcement in corruption-related cases. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act and Related Orders (Main Business) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama JJB AI summary Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama argued that the proposed Special Commodity Levy of Rs. 50 on big onions and Rs. 80 on potatoes should be maintained to protect local farmers whose production costs are far higher than competitors in India, Pakistan and China due to climate, disease, seed costs and lower subsidies. He said the levies should serve as a temporary measure until para-tariffs are phased out by 2030, while revenue and budget allocations are used for agricultural modernization, cold storage, warehousing, local seed production and farmer organization. He proposed using technology, cooperatives and producer groups to reduce unit costs and make Sri Lankan onion and potato farmers competitive within two to three years. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act and Related Orders (Main Business) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama JJB AI summary Prof. L.M. Abeywickrama stated that the discussion was being held under the Special Commodity Levy Act in relation to agricultural products, specifically potatoes and big onions. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act and Related Orders (Main Business) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar JJB AI summary Ramalingam Chandrasekar said shore seine fishers had been given a six-month grace period after discussions on the environmental impacts of winches and detectors, following which a ban was imposed and a court case was filed. He stated that consultations have begun with five fisher representatives and technical experts to assess impacts on beaches, crabs, turtles and turtle eggs, and to determine whether such technology should be permitted. He said a permanent solution would be provided within two months after consulting the President, while the ban remains in force and fishers are asked to continue hand-hauling nets in the interim. Oral Question: Fishery Buildings and Shore Seine Fishing in Pottuvil (1750/2025) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC AI summary M.S. Abthul Wazeeth raised a supplementary question regarding fishers affected by the November 2025 disaster, citing a shore seine fisher from Jalaldeen Square who reported losses of boats and fishing gear valued at about Rs. 3.56 million. He asked whether the Government would provide prompt compensation to enable the fisher, and around 30 dependent families, to resume fishing, and tabled supporting documents. Oral Question: Fishery Buildings and Shore Seine Fishing in Pottuvil (1750/2025) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary The Minister replied to a question on post-tsunami fishery buildings in the Pottuvil Division, listing facilities handed to fishery organizations, cooperatives, individuals or other bodies, and identifying which are in use or non-functional. He stated that the Jalaldeen Square cold room was handed to the Sri Lanka Army in 2016 and that the ice factory is damaged, with documents submitted to the Divisional Secretariat to bring these facilities under the Department and restart them. He said non-functional buildings and facilities not under the Ministry should be discussed with the Pottuvil Divisional Secretariat and at Divisional or District Coordinating Committee meetings, including possible public use or alternative land arrangements where appropriate. Oral Question: Fishery Buildings and Shore Seine Fishing in Pottuvil (1750/2025) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe reported on Sri Lanka’s participation in the 6th Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour in Marrakesh, noting global figures of about 138 million child labourers despite the 2025 elimination target. He said Sri Lanka records very few complaints annually but is focusing on eradicating child labour in informal sectors, especially agriculture and plantations. He linked the issue to poverty and said poverty alleviation, community awareness with the relevant Ministry, and further targeted measures are being pursued to eliminate child labour in Sri Lanka. Oral Question: Labour Complaint Resolution and Child Labour (1748/2025) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. Aravinda Senarath JJB AI summary Aravinda Senarath said the Government is implementing its policy to accelerate production by allocating suitable LRC and other State lands for cultivation and development. He stated that some lands have already been allocated and that further allocations to youth entrepreneurs and others will follow a transparent process informed by Regional Coordinating Committees. Oral Question: LRC Lands in Kalutara District: Details (1664/2025) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha JJB AI summary Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha asked what measures would be taken to productively use underutilized Land Reform Commission lands in line with the Government’s planned industrial and cultivation initiatives. He noted public demand for land for cultivation and sought clarification on allocating LRC lands for such purposes. Oral Question: LRC Lands in Kalutara District: Details (1664/2025) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha - Question to the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation for detailed information on Land Reform Commission lands in the Kalutara District, broken down by Divisional Secretary’s Division. He sought data on the extent of LRC lands, allocations under leasehold, direct public allocation, freehold and permits, abandoned lands previously allocated, and lands illegally encroached upon. He also asked whether permit lands could be converted to freehold deeds and whether abandoned lands could be reacquired and redistributed to the landless. Oral Question: LRC Lands in Kalutara District: Details (1664/2025) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary The Minister stated that underutilized estate lands should be used to meet national economic and social needs, including raising made tea production to 400 million kg and export earnings to USD 2.5 billion by 2030. He said the Government would prioritize appropriate cultivation on such lands while protecting natural forests, removing invasive species, and aligning estate land use with Environment Ministry policies promoting indigenous forest cover. Oral Question: Hazards Faced by Plantation Workers: Preventive Measures (1466/2025) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nandana Millagala JJB AI summary Asked whether the Ministry has a plan to manage land in Nagastenna, noting that some terraced areas contain mature pine while other areas are affected by invasive species such as manna and attimuru. He requested systematic removal of these species and consideration of directing the land toward suitable crop cultivation. Oral Question: Hazards Faced by Plantation Workers: Preventive Measures (1466/2025) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary Nagastenna Estate in Yatiyantota, owned by the Janatha Estate Development Board, covers 482.84 hectares and has faced poor management due to financial constraints, lack of inputs, and absence of replanting, though fertilizer and agrochemicals are now being supplied. The estate has 1,646 residents, including 99 unauthorized occupants; legal action has been taken against five external encroachers, while action against unauthorized resident workers has been deferred due to social concerns. Measures to improve productivity include providing inputs and management guidance, and processing 138.26 hectares of underutilized cultivable land for lease or allocation to suitable private investors. Oral Question: Hazards Faced by Plantation Workers: Preventive Measures (1466/2025) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nandana Millagala - Question to the Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nandana Millagala asked the Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure to provide details on the current ownership and management status of Nagastenna Estate in Yatiyantota. He also sought information on alleged private encroachments, action taken in response, and measures to develop the estate’s economically, environmentally and socially valuable lands. Oral Question: Hazards Faced by Plantation Workers: Preventive Measures (1466/2025) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary The Minister acknowledged the difficulty of acquiring underutilized plantation lands for public purposes, citing long-term agreements with regional plantation companies and examples such as land for Deniyaya Hospital. He said the Government has directed plantation companies to bring such lands into productive use or lease/sub-lease them to capable parties, while state entities including SLSPC, JEDB and Elkaduwa Plantations have begun advertising thousands of acres for lease. He added that further policy measures are being considered against private companies that fail to develop or lease underutilized lands, and requested Members’ cooperation on reforms linked to worker welfare and wages. Oral Question: Hazards Faced by Plantation Workers: Preventive Measures (1466/2025) Read →