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- 23 January 2026 The Hon. W.H.M. Dharmasena SJB AI summary The Hon. W.H.M. Dharmasena asked the Minister of Industries and Enterprise Development to provide separate figures for the extents of cultivation land owned by the Pelwatte and Sevanagala sugar factories under Lanka Sugar (Private) Ltd. The question was raised in the context of assessing the performance and land holdings of the two state-linked sugar factories. Oral Questions: Heda Oya Irrigation, Thondaman Foundation, Schools, Hydropower, Sugar Factories, Ragama Town, Monaragala Lands, Badulla Cooperatives Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth raised concerns that long-cultivated agricultural lands in several locations in the Pottuvil DS Division have been identified as Forest Department lands, leading to court cases against cultivators. He asked whether the Minister would use Cabinet Paper No. 25/1560/626/020 dated 04.09.2025 to withdraw pending cases and include such continuously cultivated lands in the list for release from Forest Department or Wildlife conservation designation. 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 Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the proposed Heda Oya Project is intended to provide irrigation water to farmers in the Pottuvil and Lahugala Divisional Secretaries’ Divisions in Ampara District. He reported that no expenditure was incurred in 2018, while Rs. 3,784,014 was spent in 2019 and Rs. 999,928.74 in 2020. He added that only preliminary investigative work has been carried out, no implementation is currently proceeding, and the project has been delayed due to public protests over houses and lands that would be submerged by the reservoir. Oral Questions: Heda Oya Irrigation, Thondaman Foundation, Schools, Hydropower, Sugar Factories, Ragama Town, Monaragala Lands, Badulla Cooperatives Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation about the current status of the Heda Oya Irrigation Project, which was previously allocated Rs. 150 million in 2018, Rs. 25 million in 2019, and Rs. 50 million in 2020 to provide irrigation water to farmers in the Pottuvil and Lahugala Divisional Secretaries’ Divisions of Ampara District. He sought confirmation of the need to supply water to those farmers and asked whether the Government would restart the project to support agricultural activities, or explain why not. Oral Questions: Heda Oya Irrigation, Thondaman Foundation, Schools, Hydropower, Sugar Factories, Ragama Town, Monaragala Lands, Badulla Cooperatives Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary On behalf of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Sustainable Resources, Hon. Hector Appuhamy presented multiple committee reports covering performance and annual reports of institutions in the rubber, fisheries, tea, coconut, plantation, and state enterprise reform sectors. The reports included documents for various years from 2015 to 2024 and were ordered to lie upon the Table. Papers Presented and Committee Reports Read →
- 22 January 2026 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. K. Kader Masthan) SJB AI summary The member asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation for details on lands allocated under a programme for middle-class residents in the four Divisional Secretary Divisions of Vavuniya District, including total acreage, distribution by Grama Niladhari Division, and any allocations made to second parties. He further requested the names of those second parties, the basis of allocation, and information on whether housing schemes were implemented on such lands during the previous Government. He also asked whether the lands with houses had been properly transferred to beneficiaries and, if so, why relevant documentation had not yet been provided. Oral Question: Land Provided for Middle-Income Housing Programme Read →
- 22 January 2026 The Hon. Manjula Suraweera Arachchi JJB AI summary Asked whether the Ministry would take focused, time-bound action regarding livestock farms in Nuwara Eliya District that are allegedly operating in environmentally harmful ways. Oral Question: Lonach Dairy Farm - Environmental Compliance and Waste Disposal Read →
- 22 January 2026 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB AI summary K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna stated that only 5,000 MT was authorized for import, despite an estimated 10,000 MT shortfall, to prevent a fall in farm-gate prices when the local harvest entered the market. He explained that import permissions were issued in two phases according to market conditions and noted that small-scale operators face financing and scale constraints, often sourcing from licensed bulk importers. He said allowing multiple micro-imports would require coordination with the Trade Ministry and undertook to discuss the matter with them. Oral Question: Cashew Corporation - Establishment, Objectives and Operations Read →
- 22 January 2026 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara JJB AI summary The Member stated that seasonal demand for kernels in Kuliyapitiya exceeds 300,000 kilograms and that off-season price increases create difficulties for local producers. He asked whether the Ministry could introduce a mechanism allowing small producers or cooperatives to import limited quantities, preferably quality kernels from Tanzania, to maintain operations. Oral Question: Cashew Corporation - Establishment, Objectives and Operations Read →
- 22 January 2026 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB AI summary Sri Lanka’s annual cashew kernel demand is about 25,000 MT, while the projected 2025 domestic harvest is only around 15,000 MT, with demand rising due to tourism. The Minister stated that 5,000 MT of imports had been authorized to protect supply while safeguarding local growers, related industries, and jobs, with licences issued for about 3,000 MT so far. He said the Government would promote local production and coordinate with agencies such as the Consumer Affairs Authority to address substandard or mixed cashew imports, while guiding importers toward quality sources including Tanzania and other African suppliers. Oral Question: Cashew Corporation - Establishment, Objectives and Operations Read →
- 22 January 2026 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara JJB AI summary Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara raised concerns that low-priced imported cashew kernels, allegedly entering the country in violation of regulations, are undercutting local traders and growers. He asked the Minister whether steps have been taken to prevent such illicit imports. Oral Question: Cashew Corporation - Establishment, Objectives and Operations Read →
- 22 January 2026 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary In response to a parliamentary question, the Minister provided details on the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation, established in 1973 under the State Agricultural Corporations Act, including its objectives of expanding cultivation, improving processing, promoting exports, and developing a Sri Lankan cashew brand. He stated that 38,895 acres were under cashew cultivation by 2024 and gave production, export, and import figures for 2020–2025, noting that some 2025 and 2024 import data were not yet available. He also listed authorized private importers and exporters and said the Government supports local producers through the Cashew Cluster Village Project and restricts imports to off-season or shortage periods. Oral Question: Cashew Corporation - Establishment, Objectives and Operations Read →
- 22 January 2026 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara JJB AI summary Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara asked the Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure to provide details on the establishment, objectives and cultivated land extent of the Cashew Corporation. He requested annual data from 2020 onwards on cashew production, national requirement, exports, foreign exchange earnings, imports and related expenditure. He also sought the names of private cashew importers and the measures taken by the Ministry to protect local cashew producers and businesses. Oral Question: Cashew Corporation - Establishment, Objectives and Operations Read →
- 21 January 2026 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister reported extensive cyclone damage, including deaths, missing persons, housing losses, and damage to irrigation infrastructure, and said restoration and compensation work had begun with official and volunteer support. He rejected claims of impending food shortages and said the Government had expanded agricultural compensation beyond previous schemes, paying Rs. 60,000 per acre and covering vegetables and fruits as well as traditional crops, with remaining payments expected to be completed shortly. He also criticized past governments’ handling of farmer payments and disaster relief, while stating that damaged tanks, anicuts and canals would be repaired and that current relief funds were being directed to affected people. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 2) Read →
- 21 January 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 tabled data on livestock theft complaints in the Vavuniya Division for 2024 and 2025, including numbers recorded, solved, and prosecuted. The answer outlined police instructions and community policing measures to prevent livestock theft, including patrols, roadblocks, expedited investigations, and guidance to owners on securing animals. It also detailed agriculture and livestock development programmes for 2026, including Dairy Hub initiatives to reach 75 per cent milk self-sufficiency by 2030, breeding and fodder support, emergency assistance, climate resilience projects, crop data systems, wildlife damage control measures, and concessional credit programmes. Second Round of Oral Questions and Standing Order clarification Read →
- 21 January 2026 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam) SJB AI summary Asked whether the Government is aware that people in the Vanni, whose livelihoods depend on agriculture and animal husbandry, are shifting toward livestock due to difficulties in farming, while facing increased livestock thefts and inadequate police remedies. He sought details from the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation on proposed solutions and the timeframe for addressing these economic challenges, including thefts highlighted at the Vavuniya-North Regional Development Committee. Second Round of Oral Questions and Standing Order clarification Read →
- 21 January 2026 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister tabled a written answer on cooperative rural banking in the Western Province, stating that while no separate cooperative rural bank branches are registered, 505 rural banks operate within 38 MPCSs and one banking society. He provided district-wise figures and said no branches are non-operational, though branches of the Dehiwala–Mount Lavinia and Maharagama MPCSs have faced deposit repayment difficulties. He stated that repayments are being made through recovery of overdue loans and asset disposal, and that inquiries under provincial cooperative regulations and CID investigations are ongoing where responsibility for financial crises is alleged. Second Round of Oral Questions and Standing Order clarification Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. Sunil Biyanwila JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Biyanwila supported amendments to the Aswesuma payment scheme, arguing that expanded social assistance was necessary after the economic crisis, fertilizer policy failures, and hardship faced by low-income groups. He said the Government had increased elderly, kidney patient, schoolchild, and disaster-related assistance while seeking to reduce unnecessary expenditure and redirect resources to vulnerable people. He emphasized that relief should not be permanent and linked the policy to rebuilding a productive economy through agriculture, tourism, new industries, and measures such as a Cinnamon Development Department. Debate - Aswesuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. Ajith Gihan JJB AI summary Ajith Gihan asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation for details on Land Reform Commission lands in the Puttalam District allocated for investment projects, including their location, extent, development status, and lease payment compliance. He sought clarification on whether underdeveloped lands or lands with lease defaults have been identified and whether such lands will be repossessed. He also requested the total extent of LRC lands in Puttalam by Divisional Secretary’s Division and asked whether any of these lands would be made available for housing construction, and if not, the reasons why. Oral Question: Land Reform Commission Lands in Puttalam District (Q.55/2026) Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB AI summary Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna said SMEs in the coconut husk sector are struggling against large, technology-intensive producers and high husk prices, which reached about Rs. 22 per nut in some areas in November 2025. He stated that recent foreign investment approvals were withheld to protect SMEs, while the medium-term policy is to expand domestic husk supply by increasing coconut production and productivity. He identified improved fertilization, irrigation and moisture conservation, and pest and disease control as necessary to raise yields from existing coconut stands and meet the target of 4.2 billion nuts by 2030. Oral Question: Export Crops and Coconut Production Targets (Q.49/2026) Read →