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- 20 January 2026 The Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB AI summary Asked what measures the Ministry will take regarding large-scale husk-based manufacturers in the Kurunegala District, particularly around Chariyapola and Panduwasnuwara, where major firms and multinationals are said to influence husk and related product prices. He stated that this situation disadvantages small and medium-sized enterprises and sought a ministerial response on possible intervention. Oral Question: Export Crops and Coconut Production Targets (Q.49/2026) Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB AI summary Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna outlined measures to raise coconut production from about 2.7 billion nuts in 2024 to 4.2 billion by 2030 through new planting, replanting, infilling, and estate rehabilitation. He noted allocations of Rs. 500 million last year and Rs. 600 million in the current Budget for expanding the Northern Coconut Triangle to 40,000 acres by 2027, alongside continuation of the Home Garden Programme. He also said a cluster-based rehabilitation programme is being prepared for neglected or absentee-owned estates in Kurunegala, and that legal controls are in place to prevent unauthorized subdivision of coconut lands. Oral Question: Export Crops and Coconut Production Targets (Q.49/2026) Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB AI summary Asked whether the Ministry will implement a fresh coconut planting programme in Kurunegala in 2026, noting that the district, part of the traditional coconut triangle, has seen substantial reductions in coconut cultivation due to settlement expansion and the Deduru Oya reservoir. He referenced the Northern Coconut Triangle programme begun the previous year as relevant context. Oral Question: Export Crops and Coconut Production Targets (Q.49/2026) Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB AI summary K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna responded to a question on coconut as an export crop, stating that 2024 estimates record 484,678 hectares under coconut and 658 million coconut trees, with a target of increasing production to 4.2 billion nuts by 2030. He outlined support measures including fertilizer subsidies, moisture conservation and water-system assistance, pest and disease control, wildlife-damage mitigation, and rehabilitation of underutilized lands in the coconut triangle. He also detailed coconut-based export products and earnings, noting that exports reached USD 1,127 million from January to November 2025, while identifying raw material shortages, rising husk prices, regulatory overlap, and limited technology adoption as key issues in the coir sector. Oral Question: Export Crops and Coconut Production Targets (Q.49/2026) Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB AI summary Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake asked the Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure for details on Sri Lanka’s main export crops, including when coconut was declared a main export crop and current figures for coconut trees and cultivated extent. He sought information on measures to increase coconut production, coconut-related industries and annual foreign exchange earnings, and detailed data on coconut husk factories by ownership, exports, and employment. He also requested identification of the key problems facing the coconut husk industry and reasons for any unavailable information. Oral Question: Export Crops and Coconut Production Targets (Q.49/2026) Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. Aravinda Senarath - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister addressed concerns affecting dairy farmers in multiple districts and advised that formal requests be submitted through District or Divisional Coordinating Committees. He stated that the Ministry is already working to identify pasture lands and, upon receiving requests, will survey and release suitable State lands for fodder cultivation. Oral Question: State Lands on Lease in Anuradhapura District (Q.27/2026) Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB AI summary Asked whether, in the Horowpothana–Kahatagasdigiliya areas where many people engage in livestock farming, lands without confirmed specific identities could be allocated as community pasture. He noted that farmers face a shortage of fodder lands during the Maha season and sought consideration of this allocation to support their livestock. Oral Question: State Lands on Lease in Anuradhapura District (Q.27/2026) Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. Aravinda Senarath - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Aravinda Senarath provided an answer on State land leases in Anuradhapura District, listing figures by Divisional Secretariat Division and noting that Thambuttegama lands are vested in the Mahaweli Authority. He stated that no permits, grants or long-term licences have been issued for the relevant lands, while officials are surveying and gathering details on cultivation reportedly carried out since around 2005 by residents, outsiders, and former MP S.M. Chandrasena and his spouse. He also reported that fertilizer subsidy and cash assistance had been provided for limited acreages during recent Maha seasons, with specific payment and fertilizer quantities given. Oral Question: State Lands on Lease in Anuradhapura District (Q.27/2026) Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB AI summary Asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation to provide details of State lands leased in each DS Division of Anuradhapura District. He also sought clarification on alleged illegal clearing and cultivation of about 100 acres of State land in Kodinnewa village, Horowpothana, including the identities and legal rights of those involved and whether they received fertilizer subsidies and the value of any such subsidies. Oral Question: State Lands on Lease in Anuradhapura District (Q.27/2026) Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy questioned whether the reports referred to in the response had been received and requested that they be tabled. He raised concerns about ash affecting cultivation and livelihoods, frequent power outages around Kalpitiya, and restrictions on fisherfolk due to vessel movements. He asked what practical measures would be taken to restore local livelihoods and requested that the current Environmental Protection Licence be tabled, citing doubts about its issuance and the suitability of the plant’s location near human settlements. Oral Question: Norochcholai Coal Power Plant Environmental Impact (Q.7/2026) Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary The Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure presented the 2018 Annual Report of Elkaduwa Plantation Company. He moved that the report be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Sustainable Resource Management, and the motion was agreed to. Papers Tabled - Annual Reports Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana JJB AI summary R.M. Jayawardhana tabled, on behalf of the relevant Minister, an answer on potato supply, imports, and local production. The answer stated that Sri Lanka’s annual potato requirement is about 210,000 metric tonnes, with roughly 80 per cent met through imports and 20 per cent through domestic production, and provided import, production, and 2025 harvest data in tabled documents. It said a Special Commodity Levy of Rs. 80 per kilogram was imposed in August 2025 to support farm-gate prices during the local harvest, but imports are not suspended because domestic production is insufficient and consumer demand includes both local and imported potatoes. The answer added that longer-term measures to reduce production costs and improve productivity are needed to improve competitiveness. Oral Questions: Paddy Field Damage and Potato Imports (Q.11, Q.12) Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. Gayantha Karunatilleka (on behalf of the Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake) SJB AI summary Asked the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development to provide annual potato import quantities and the duty imposed on imported potatoes. He also asked whether the Ministry is aware of ongoing potato harvesting in Nuwara Eliya, Welimada, Uva Paranagama and Haputale, and whether imports will be suspended during the local harvest season to protect local producers. Oral Questions: Paddy Field Damage and Potato Imports (Q.11, Q.12) Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa tabled answers on paddy crop damage in the 2024/25 Maha season. The response stated that 86,929.03 acres of paddy were destroyed, with an expected harvest reduction of 178,433 metric tons, and that 25,673 acres, 38 roods and 3 perches had been replanted. It further reported that Rs. 1,516,458,181.50 had been paid as compensation for the affected acreage, with district-wise details tabled. Oral Questions: Paddy Field Damage and Potato Imports (Q.11, Q.12) Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. Gayantha Karunatilleka (on behalf of the Hon. Rohana Bandara) SJB AI summary Gayantha Karunatilleka, on behalf of Rohana Bandara, asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation to provide district-wise data on paddy fields destroyed by adverse weather in November 2024, the resulting reduction in the expected harvest, and the extent that had been replanted. He also sought details on whether compensation had been paid for the damaged paddy fields and, if not, the reasons for non-payment. Oral Questions: Paddy Field Damage and Potato Imports (Q.11, Q.12) Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Kins Nelson queried the assistance being provided to families, specifically asking about support for children. He referred to payments of Rs. 150,000 for farmers and Rs. 20,000 for affected children, seeking clarification on those relief measures. Oral Question: Disaster Relief and Compensation (Q.7/726/2025) Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Kins Nelson briefly referred to a recurring household-level issue affecting farmers’ children. No specific proposal, question, or policy demand was stated in the excerpt. Oral Question: Disaster Relief and Compensation (Q.7/726/2025) Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Kins Nelson stated that the issue under discussion affects a single family unit in practical terms: farmers and their children. He framed the matter as directly concerning farming households and their dependants. Oral Question: Disaster Relief and Compensation (Q.7/726/2025) Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Kins Nelson raised concerns about paddy farmers affected by the 28 November cyclone, citing 106,080 farmers and 56,116 hectares of damaged land, with some fields expected to remain uncultivable for two to three seasons. He asked whether, beyond the announced Rs. 150,000 per hectare compensation, a special programme with monthly livelihood assistance would be provided, noting that many farmers had not yet received payments and that the compensation was insufficient for re-cultivation. He also highlighted the loss of schoolchildren’s books and uniforms in the disaster. Oral Question: Disaster Relief and Compensation (Q.7/726/2025) Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani JJB AI summary On behalf of the Chair of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Sustainable Use of Resources, Mrs. M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani presented the Committee’s report on several referred annual and performance reports. These included reports relating to land reform and title registration, fertilizer companies, wildlife conservation, land administration, agricultural insurance, and the Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau. The report was ordered to lie upon the Table. Papers Presented and Committee Reports Read →