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. B. Ariyawansha SJB AI summary Hon. B. Ariyawansha asked whether neglected or marginal estate lands in Ratnapura, including Opatawatta and Hunuvalawatta, could be allocated to estate communities for cultivation. He proposed that, in addition to providing 10 perches for housing, portions of these lands be used for high-value export crops such as cinnamon, clove and pepper. 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 K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna stated that complaints of wild animal attacks, snake and wasp bites, and chemical-related accidents are reported from JEDB and SLSPC estates, but the Ministry does not receive specific data from regional plantation companies. He said SLSPC reports about 500 wasp-related incidents annually, while JEDB estates recorded 19 wasp attacks, 6 snake bites, 5 elephant attacks and 1 sloth bear attack over the past five years. The Minister outlined preventive measures including removal of wasp nests, avoiding deployment near nests, clearing estate boundaries, use of protective gear, medical referrals, training and awareness programmes, chemical safety procedures, and compliance with environmental certification standards. Oral Question: Hazards Faced by Plantation Workers: Preventive Measures (1466/2025) Read →
- 17 February 2026 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy tabled three reports of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Sustainable Use of Resources covering annual and performance reports of fisheries, agrarian development, animal production, rabies eradication, and estates development institutions. He noted that committee reviews found recurring unresolved issues highlighted in previous audit reports, and requested that time be allocated for discussions with audit authorities before approvals. He said such consultations would help committees guide institutions toward corrective action rather than merely tabling and approving reports. Papers: Annual Reports and Committee Reports Read →
- 6 February 2026 Hon. Ajith Gihan JJB AI summary Hon. Ajith Gihan addressed allegations that multiday fishers were assaulted, noting that India had formally denied Coast Guard involvement while Sri Lankan authorities rescued and hospitalized the fishers and pursued investigations with India and domestically. He said beach-seine fisheries must be regulated under the 1984 Beach Seine Regulations and argued that tractor-assisted net dragging damages coastlines, seabeds, and small-scale fishers’ livelihoods. He stated that a stakeholder-agreed tractor ban took effect on 1 January 2026, that court proceedings and protests were ongoing, and that the Ministry would discuss lawful concerns but would not permit prohibited fishing methods. Debate: Extension of Emergency Regulations (Cyclone Ditwah) Read →
- 6 February 2026 The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan questioned the need to extend Emergency Regulations for disaster relief, arguing that relief and rehabilitation should not require emergency powers and noting public fear due to past use of the Emergency and PTA against youths. He raised concerns about cybercrime, particularly online defamation and image manipulation targeting women, and urged the Government to strengthen police capacity to investigate such offences, including those involving perpetrators abroad. He also asked that any prohibition on fishing methods such as shore-seine operations in Mannar be implemented with a transition period of at least six months to protect affected workers and investors. Debate: Extension of Emergency Regulations (Cyclone Ditwah) Read →
- 6 February 2026 The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB AI summary Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna supported the extension of the Emergency, arguing it is needed to expedite recovery from the 2025 natural disaster, including housing compensation, school reconstruction, road and bridge repairs, and restoration of health services. He stated that Rs. 500,000 grants for fully damaged houses are being implemented, denied that rights had been violated under the Emergency, and said protests and expression remained allowed. He also said decentralized funds would be allocated fairly among all MPs and that the 2026 Budget would proceed with development plans, including increased cultivation support and compensation for human–wildlife conflict. Debate: Extension of Emergency Regulations (Cyclone Ditwah) Read →
- 6 February 2026 The Hon. R.G. Wijerathna JJB AI summary Hon. R.G. Wijerathna supported extending the Emergency Regulations under the Public Security Ordinance, citing severe damage from “Ditwah” in Nuwara Eliya, including destroyed canals, anicuts, tanks, agricultural roads and RDA roads. He reported relief payments made locally and island-wide agricultural compensation, while arguing that recovery remains incomplete and requires coordinated technical, engineering, NBRO, RDA and Tri-Forces support under the Essential Services Commissioner General. He urged Parliament to continue the cross-party cooperation shown during the initial emergency declaration and approve a further extension to stabilize conditions and complete restoration. Debate: Extension of Emergency Regulations (Cyclone Ditwah) Read →
- 6 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Dr. Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam questioned the need to extend Emergency regulations under the Public Security Ordinance and Essential Public Services Act during the post-Cyclone “Ditwah” recovery phase, citing past misuse of emergency powers and the PTA against minority communities. He argued that new security legislation risks broader rights violations if “terrorism” is not clearly defined, while affirming that all persons, including clergy, should be subject to ordinary legal processes when laws are breached. He urged the Government to approach legislation and development projects in ways that support reconciliation, specifically calling for consultation on Mahaweli “L” and Kivul Oya-related settlements affecting local communities. He also requested immediate Paddy Marketing Board procurement at the guaranteed Rs. 120 price, noting that farmers in his district had been forced to sell paddy at Rs. 80 after cyclone-related losses. Debate: Extension of Emergency Regulations (Cyclone Ditwah) Read →
- 6 February 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB AI summary Attention was drawn to difficulties faced by small and medium-scale paddy millers, including the non-receipt of promised concessional interest loans. It was stated that small millers account for about 65 percent of paddy purchasing, and the Government was asked to respond and take prompt action. Private Notice Questions: MSMEs and Kalmunai Massacre Site Read →
- 6 February 2026 The Hon. Aravinda Senarath JJB AI summary Aravinda Senarath responded to supplementary questions on compensation and paddy purchasing linked to an irrigation matter. He stated that compensation payments are being made systematically based on officials’ information, that consultations with farming communities had already begun before the question was raised, and that remaining payments would be made within the next few days. Oral Questions: Various (Q.3, Q.5, Q.6) Read →
- 6 February 2026 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary Asked whether compensation can be expedited for 92 affected farmers in the Karaithivu Division and for similarly affected farmers in Atthalachenai, Palamunai and Oluvil. The question sought government action to address outstanding payments in those areas. Oral Questions: Various (Q.3, Q.5, Q.6) Read →
- 6 February 2026 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary M.S. Uthumalebbe said Paddy Marketing Board warehouses in Ampara District are full, limiting local farmers’ ability to sell paddy, and requested that stored stocks be moved quickly to other locations. He also asked whether compensation for farmers affected by Cyclone Ditwah and floods, including 92 persons in Karaithivu and others in Atthalachenai, Palamunai and Oluvil, could be provided without delay. Oral Questions: Various (Q.3, Q.5, Q.6) Read →
- 6 February 2026 The Hon. Aravinda Senarath JJB AI summary Aravinda Senarath stated that paddy purchasing arrangements have begun, with warehouses opened in several districts and storage planned according to supply inflows. He added that paddy bought in the previous season has been milled and is being released to the market in an orderly manner, and said the Government does not anticipate problems with storage or purchasing. Oral Questions: Various (Q.3, Q.5, Q.6) Read →
- 6 February 2026 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary M.S. Uthumalebbe tabled 2021 and 2023 Irrigation Department letters on the proposed construction of a regulator, following the Deputy Minister’s indication that funds would be allocated this year. He asked whether urgent steps would be taken to clear paddy stored from the last harvest in Paddy Marketing Board warehouses in Ampara so that the Board can purchase the current season’s harvest from local farmers. Oral Questions: Various (Q.3, Q.5, Q.6) Read →
- 6 February 2026 The Hon. Aravinda Senarath - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister stated, on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, that the issues raised regarding Akkaraipattu were acknowledged. He said plans had been prepared, estimates initiated, and the matter included in the 2026 priority list, making any further response not applicable. Oral Questions: Various (Q.3, Q.5, Q.6) Read →
- 6 February 2026 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation about delays in preparing an assessment report for constructing a sluice gate on the RB35 Main Canal in the Kurundankulam Division of the Akkaraipattu Irrigation Engineering Zone. He noted that the Director General of Irrigation had first requested the report in May 2021 and sent a reminder in September 2023, and sought details of measures taken to proceed with the sluice gate construction or the reasons for inaction. Oral Questions: Various (Q.3, Q.5, Q.6) Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Hon. Nalinda Jayatissa stated that 23 directly and 23 indirectly affected fisheries-related categories were identified following the X-Press Pearl disaster, including damage to gear and aquaculture in the Negombo lagoon. He said USD 56.90 million was initially claimed from the insurer, with a further USD 2.28 million after appeals, and Rs. 2,980.5 million has so far been received, of which Rs. 2,794.96 million was sent to District Secretariats for beneficiary payments. He clarified that no special compensation plan exists for Puttalam District, but verified gear and equipment damage there has been paid, while livelihood-loss compensation was limited to the scientifically determined fishing-ban area from Negombo lagoon to offshore Negombo-Panadura. Oral Question: State Land in Alankalagala and X-Press Pearl Disaster (Q.7-9/2025) Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. Aravinda Senarath JJB AI summary On behalf of the Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Minister, Aravinda Senarath answered a question on a State land lease, stating that possession had been handed over in 2011 after ministerial approval and that later sublease or mortgage arrangements required the approval of the Land Commissioner General. He said the relevant party was Nalaka Rathnayake – Ambewela Wind Power (Pvt) Ltd., and that in a sublease the third party does not pay lease rent to the Government. He further stated that after SLBC’s lease was cancelled for non-payment, approval was given to mortgage the land to one of the subsequent lessees, and that lease arrears of Rs. 2,867,640 identified in 2025 had led to instructions to proceed under the State Lands Ordinance and cancel the lease. Oral Question: State Land in Alankalagala and X-Press Pearl Disaster (Q.7-9/2025) Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne JJB AI summary Hon. Namal Karunaratne stated that the Government increased the fertilizer subsidy to Rs. 20,000 for two hectares and extended it to interim crops cultivated on paddy lands. He explained that the payment system was changed to release the first instalment before cultivation began and the second after confirming cultivation, with payment schedules varying by irrigation area. He said delays in the second instalment were caused by cyclone-related damage and staffing vacancies among Agricultural Research and Production Assistants, but that all fertilizer funds had now been released and remaining payments would reach farmers within days. Oral Question: Paddy Lands Filling in Anuradhapura (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB AI summary Asked about fertilizer subsidies, noting that the first tranche was released before the season but some farmers have faced delays in receiving the second tranche. He requested clarification on what interventions are being made to address the delay. Oral Question: Paddy Lands Filling in Anuradhapura (Q.5/2025) Read →