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 February 2026 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, the Deputy Minister answered a question on approvals to fill or use paddy lands for other purposes in the Anuradhapura District. He stated that no such approvals were granted in 2024, while in 2025 approvals were issued under the Agrarian Development Act for five applications, including construction of business premises, covering a total of 33 perches. He said copies of the Commissioner General’s approval letters were tabled, and that the remaining part of the question was not applicable. Oral Question: Paddy Lands Filling in Anuradhapura (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy presented the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Sustainable Use of Resources report covering annual and performance reports of several agriculture, livestock, land, planning, and export agriculture institutions for various years from 2015 to 2024. The documents were ordered to lie upon the Table. Committee Reports: Sectoral Oversight Committees Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary The Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure presented annual reports of the Tea Smallholdings Development Authority for 2016, the Janatha Estates Development Board for 2019, and the Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka for 2023. He proposed that the reports be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Sustainable Use of Resources, and the House agreed. Papers Presented: Government Reports and Annual Reports Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary The Minister, on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, presented the 2024 Performance Report of the Department of Agrarian Development. He proposed referring the report to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Sustainable Use of Resources, and the House agreed. Papers Presented: Government Reports and Annual Reports Read →
- 3 February 2026 Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi — Minister of Environment AI summary The Minister thanked Hon. Lasith Bhashana Gamage for raising the Adjournment Motion on Muthurajawela and outlined its history, extent, ecological value, and transformation from paddy land into Sri Lanka’s largest coastal saline marsh. He said the wetland supports fisheries and livelihoods around the Negombo Lagoon, and noted that 162.1 hectares have been declared an Environmental Protection Area under the National Environmental Act, while 1,028.62 hectares have been declared a Sanctuary by the Department of Wildlife Conservation. He stated that conservation and management are being coordinated through relevant state agencies and committees, with boundary pillars established and further wetland areas identified for possible future annexation to the Sanctuary. Adjournment Debate: Muthurajawela Wetland Read →
- 3 February 2026 Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir emphasized the importance of agriculture and environmental protection, drawing on his personal background as the child of a farmer and his continued interest in planting trees. He expressed concern that Sri Lanka’s natural resources are being destroyed or left unused, contrasting the country’s resource wealth with Singapore’s development. He urged attention to protecting forests while also preserving human relationships and unity. Adjournment Debate: Muthurajawela Wetland Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne JJB AI summary Over 90 per cent of payments for vegetables and other crops have been made, with remaining funds sent to District Secretaries, and compensation for wildlife damage to livestock is also being processed. Funds for the fertilizer subsidy have been fully released, with over 95 per cent of the first round credited and the balance pending. On paddy leaf yellowing, the Department of Agriculture and specialists are investigating, and the Government will provide support if further losses occur. He also stated that arrears inherited at the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board were cleared and that compensation for recent Maha-season disasters was paid before the next season. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Rohana Bandara raised concerns that crop compensation from the previous season, including for partial damage, remained largely unpaid, citing about 80,000 hectares in Anuradhapura awaiting compensation and around 10,000 hectares yet to receive even the first tranche. He also said the second tranche of the fertilizer subsidy was pending for many farmers and noted that finger millet and other crops had not received compensation. He asked the Deputy Minister to address a post-flood “leaf yellowing” disease affecting crops nationwide, provide clear guidance to farmers, and offer relief if yields decline. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne JJB AI summary Hon. Namal Karunaratne stated that farmer leaders had been consulted and that any remaining issues could be referred to the Agriculture Committee and Coordinating Committee for action. He outlined expanded wildlife damage compensation, noting that eligibility now covers all vegetable crops and fruits such as banana, pineapple and melon, with increased rates including paddy seedling loss compensation rising from Rs. 16,000 to Rs. 60,000 per acre. He said officials had been instructed to facilitate payments, around 90 per cent of released funds had already been paid, and pending payments and requests on partial damage would be expedited. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Rohana Bandara said the project was beneficial but had generated a dispute between two farmer organizations, with Eru Wewa-linked farmers opposing it due to waterlogging and sand accumulation in their fields after recent extreme weather. He urged the Deputy Minister to conduct a ground-level re-examination and ensure fair compensation, including for farmers classified as having only “partial damage” despite incurring costs to remove sand from their fields. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB AI summary On behalf of the Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation Minister, the Deputy Minister stated that the Senapura anicut in Meewellawa GN Division, Thirappane DS Division, was constructed at a total cost of Rs. 32.43 million in 2023 and 2024. He said it benefits about 70 farming families and irrigates approximately 120 acres of paddy land. Addressing concerns about sand deposition, he reported that sand washed into nearby field margins during rehabilitation works had been removed and that officials and local farmers confirmed the completed anicut is not causing damage to fields. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Rohana Bandara raised Question No. 563/2025 seeking details from the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation regarding the “Senakapura Yaya” anicut in Thirappane. The request appears to seek official information on the irrigation structure, likely concerning its status, maintenance, or related development needs. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Presented the 2024 Annual Report of Central Engineering Services (Private) Limited on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation. Proposed that the report be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability, which was agreed to. Presentation of Petitions Read →
- 3 February 2026 Ministerial Consultative Committee on Fisheries, Aquatic and Marine Resources AI summary The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Fisheries, Aquatic and Marine Resources listed its participating members for the sitting held on 3 February 2026, chaired by Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar. No substantive debate, proposals, questions, or policy positions are recorded in the provided text beyond the committee membership and attendance context. Opening and Parliamentary Announcements Read →
- 3 February 2026 Ministerial Consultative Committee on Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation AI summary The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation met on 3 February 2026 with Hon. K. D. Lal Kantha as Chairman and the listed Members in attendance. The record provided contains only the committee’s title, date, and membership, with no substantive speech, policy discussion, proposals, questions, or decisions to summarize. Opening and Parliamentary Announcements Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. Upali Samarasingha JJB AI summary Hon. Upali Samarasingha said co-operatives have suffered due to weak central–provincial coordination, political interference, prolonged board tenures, inadequate audits, and poor procedures. He stated that the Government is working with the Provincial Co-operative Public Service Commission to review failed co-operatives, conduct audits, and revive them within the year through state intervention. He added that special attention would be given to strengthening estate co-operatives and addressing past shortcomings. Oral Question No. 8 (Deferred) and Question Stand Down Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. Upali Samarasingha - Deputy Minister of Co-operative Development JJB AI summary On behalf of the relevant Minister, the Deputy Minister provided figures on co-operative outlets in Badulla District, stating that 58 outlets were operating as at 1 January 2026, including 9 within estate areas. He reported that 180 outlets had closed between 2015 and 2025, mostly those run by Multipurpose Co-operative Societies. He also clarified that no separate estate co-operative societies are registered specifically for housing construction and loans, though estate workers’ co-operatives provide loans and consumer goods, with 3 Estate Shop Co-operatives and 63 Estate Housing Co-operatives operating in Badulla. Oral Question No. 8 (Deferred) and Question Stand Down Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that Pelwatte and Sevanagala sugar institutions had suffered from poor management over many years and that efforts during the past one and a half years were aimed at restoring their profitability. He said the Ministry and Treasury were intervening, with Cabinet decisions in place to ensure fairness to farmers and support production. Oral Questions: Heda Oya Irrigation, Thondaman Foundation, Schools, Hydropower, Sugar Factories, Ragama Town, Monaragala Lands, Badulla Cooperatives Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. W.H.M. Dharmasena SJB AI summary Hon. W.H.M. Dharmasena questioned the Government on the financial position and future of Pelwatte, noting that despite ethanol and sugar sales in 2025, the company reportedly owes about LKR 2.57 billion to farmers, suppliers, banks and EPF. He said cane cultivation is declining as farmers and outgrowers leave the sector, and asked whether the company will be closed, privatized, or subject to another recovery plan. Oral Questions: Heda Oya Irrigation, Thondaman Foundation, Schools, Hydropower, Sugar Factories, Ragama Town, Monaragala Lands, Badulla Cooperatives Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa detailed land use, production, sales, operational issues, and employee payment matters at the Pelwatte and Sevanagala sugar factories. He said Sevanagala’s 2025 output was affected by machinery failures, procurement delays, farmer protests, field burnings, VAT-related sales constraints, and cash-flow problems, while Pelwatte production proceeded as planned. He reported that EPF arrears at Sevanagala had been settled, Pelwatte arrears were being addressed through Cabinet-approved funding and the 2026 Budget, and monthly EPF/ETF payments had resumed on schedule from October 2025. He also stated that formal cadre approval, recruitment, promotion procedures, and placement on government salary scales for Lanka Sugar Company employees were being finalized. Oral Questions: Heda Oya Irrigation, Thondaman Foundation, Schools, Hydropower, Sugar Factories, Ragama Town, Monaragala Lands, Badulla Cooperatives Read →