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- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Namal Rajapaksa expressed condolences over the disaster and called for a transparent Special Parliamentary Committee to examine failures in preparedness, warnings, evacuations, and administrative response. He urged the Government to revise the Budget to include a national disaster recovery plan, seek adjustments in discussions with the IMF, and ensure relief mechanisms are coordinated, especially in areas lacking key officials. He questioned agricultural loss data and asked the Government to organize logistics to move available produce to markets, while supporting affected farmers, medical staff, and displaced communities. He also cautioned against using Emergency Regulations to suppress public criticism rather than focusing State powers on saving lives and rebuilding. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran called for national unity and coordinated relief in response to the ongoing disaster, noting deaths, displacement, damage to homes, livestock, and especially flooded paddy lands in Ampara, as well as landslides in the hill country. He urged the Government to support affected livelihoods, suspend microfinance and debt collections during the crisis, and re-establish the closed Sathosa outlet in Aalayadivembu. He also raised concern that all 104 recruits selected for Grade II of the Sri Lanka Inland Revenue Service in 2024/2025 were Sinhala, calling for inclusion of Tamil- and Muslim-speaking officers. He proposed irrigation improvements, including canals to divert surplus water through identified tanks, to reduce flooding and enable double-cropping on about 5,000 acres. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Hon. Kins Nelson urged the Government to release and authorize the immediate use of allocated disaster-relief funds for Polonnaruwa through District and Divisional Secretaries, without procedural delays, and to revise the Rs. 300-per-day dry ration allowance as inadequate. He described severe flood impacts including dead livestock, waste accumulation, crop and paddy field destruction, drinking-water disruption due to power outages, and damage to the Elahera anicut, calling for urgent administrative and technical support. He also questioned the water management of Moragahakanda Reservoir and Parakrama Samudra, asking who was responsible for the flooding and seeking measures to prevent recurrence while protecting unaffected cultivation to avoid future rice shortages. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa criticised the absence of a dedicated parliamentary debate on the cyclone disaster and cited official figures on deaths, missing persons, displacement and property damage, proposing at least a National Day of Mourning. He paid tribute to security forces, public officials and others involved in relief work, and said the Opposition was seeking international assistance while urging transparent and efficient distribution. He called for a “6 Rs” response covering relief, rehabilitation and rebuilding, including support for affected families, farmers, MSMEs, tourism, public health needs and infrastructure, with moratoria on loans and leasing, relaxed administrative circulars, and immediate price controls. He also questioned failures in disaster preparedness and warning dissemination, urged inquiry into why an emergency was not declared earlier, and renewed his longstanding demand for a proper Doppler radar network, including sites such as Gongala, Puttalam and Pottuvil. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage — Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment AI summary The Minister expressed condolences over the recent severe weather disaster and said the Government is prioritizing relief, repairs and reconstruction with support from the Tri-Forces, public officials, volunteers, foreign partners, business leaders and civil society. He noted increased assistance for affected people, including higher allocations for cooked meals and dry rations and an increase in the resettlement grant from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 25,000. Marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, he reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to inclusion for Sri Lanka’s approximately 1.6 million persons with disabilities. He also outlined measures to strengthen paddy, tea and coconut production, including fertilizer, seed, technology, wage and cultivation-support programmes, while noting disaster damage to plantation areas and plans for rehabilitation. Debate: Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Heads) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, Bimal Rathnayake tabled an answer giving national and Anuradhapura dairy farmer numbers, milk production figures, and average milk prices. The answer stated that the Government has not imposed a milk price ceiling because prices are set by collection companies and producers are considered to be receiving prices commensurate with production costs. It outlined a proposed Dairy Hub programme to reach 75 per cent dairy self-sufficiency by 2030 through 300 hubs, expanded production, breeding, fodder, training, health, finance and quality-improvement measures, including support under the World Bank-funded ICDP. The tabled answer also said concessional loans would be provided to SMEs for paddy purchases and that 2025/26 Maha minimum paddy purchase prices would be fixed later by variety, based on production cost plus a 30 per cent profit margin. Oral Questions: Multiple Questions Nos. 3, 4, 5 and Private Notice Question (Q.27/2) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka) SJB AI summary Asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation for data on national and Anuradhapura District dairy farmer numbers, daily milk production, current milk prices, any recent price revisions and reasons, and measures to improve dairy farmers’ livelihoods. He also sought clarification on whether the Government will purchase paddy in the 2025/2026 Maha Season, whether loans will be provided to private paddy buyers including any blacklisted by the Paddy Marketing Board, and what fair prices will be set for different paddy varieties. Oral Questions: Multiple Questions Nos. 3, 4, 5 and Private Notice Question (Q.27/2) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure, Bimal Rathnayake presented the 2023/2024 Annual Report of Kalubovitiyana Tea Factory Company Limited. 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: Regulations and Reports Presented Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha JJB AI summary Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha moved a Committee Stage amendment to the Appropriation Bill under Head 337, Programme 02, transferring revised recurrent and capital provisions for the Department of Cinnamon Development to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation in line with Extraordinary Gazette No. 2458/65. He then moved that the Committee report progress and sought leave to sit again. He also moved for approval, under Section 14 of the Finance Act No. 38 of 1971, of the Paddy Marketing Board Annual Reports for 2017 and 2018 with Auditor General’s observations, both of which were agreed to, before moving the adjournment of Parliament. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →
- 27 November 2025 Hon. Members AI summary Parliament agreed to amend Head 118 for the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation by increasing Programme 02 capital expenditure to Rs. 102,389,000,000, incorporating provisions under Budget Proposals Nos. 21, 25, 27 and 34. The Committee also approved the relevant recurrent and capital allocations for Head 118 and for the Department of Agrarian Development, Department of Irrigation, and part of the Department of Agriculture as entries in the Schedule. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. K. D. Lal Kantha - Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary Minister K. D. Lal Kantha said the Government’s Food Security Committee is functioning effectively, noting that no Opposition member had cited shortages of staple foods or excessive prices during the debate. He emphasized that the Government’s priorities are ensuring food security and improving farmers’ incomes, while proceeding with measures to relocate unauthorised settlers from tank reservations, floodplains, forest reserves and elephant corridors by providing alternative land, grants and facilities. He acknowledged proposals from Members regarding land, irrigation and water losses, thanked parliamentary and ministry staff, and noted cross-party agreement to forgo a division so Members could return to districts affected by disasters. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Rohana Bandara expressed condolences to those affected by severe weather and said assistance was being provided under the President’s leadership. In the agriculture debate, he questioned whether Government plans on market-oriented cultivation, fertilizer subsidies, paddy purchasing, dryers, and Keeri Samba procurement were being implemented effectively and fairly, particularly in Anuradhapura. He argued that recent high Yala yields were due to favourable rains rather than Government action, and urged a systematic programme to guide crop choices, strengthen local production, and reduce imports of crops that can be grown domestically. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. Aravinda Senarath JJB AI summary Aravinda Senarath outlined increased government allocations for irrigation, from Rs. 74,000 million in 2025 to Rs. 91,000 million in 2026, alongside Rs. 10,000 million for rehabilitating village tanks through the Department of Agrarian Services. Responding to Opposition claims that agriculture had collapsed, he cited current pepper and rubber latex prices and said 2026 plans aim to further raise farmer incomes. He also addressed Weligama disease in coconut palms, stating the Government will provide Rs. 10,000 for each infected tree removed to prevent wider crop damage. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. Aravinda Senarath - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Aravinda Senarath said the Government was addressing the current cyclone and flood threat through district-level disaster preparedness, prior instructions, and allocated funds, while urging continued support for affected people. Responding to Opposition allegations, he rejected claims of ethnic bias or neglect of the North, stating that steps were being taken on land issues in Vavuniya and Mullaitivu and that Mahaweli waters would be taken to the North. He said the Ministry had been reorganized to better integrate land, irrigation, agriculture and livestock functions, with about Rs. 267 billion allocated in the 2026 Budget, including major allocations for irrigation, lands and agrarian development, to support a planned transition from subsistence agriculture to a production economy. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. Ismail Muththu Mohamed AI summary Hon. Ismail Muththu Mohamed raised concerns about agricultural hardship in Vavuniya, Mannar and Mullaitivu, including high input costs, poor access to guaranteed-price paddy purchasing, lack of compensation for flood-affected black gram farmers, and inadequate marketing facilities. He requested rehabilitation of specified tanks, action on about 180 abandoned minor tanks in Vavuniya, and attention to linking Iluppaikulam and Velappar Puliyankulam to expand cultivation and livelihoods. He also urged the Government to address longstanding land issues caused by forest and wildlife gazettes over former agricultural areas, including through land kachcheries and allocation of land to affected farmers. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Piyathissa JJB AI summary Farmers’ difficulties in drying harvested paddy were highlighted, with the argument that reliance on large-scale buyers of wet paddy disadvantages them. A proposal was noted to provide modern drying equipment to farmers’ cooperatives and multipurpose societies, supported by an allocation of Rs. 500 million. The speech framed these measures as initial steps toward sustainable solutions under the Government’s agricultural policy. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Piyathissa - Deputy Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Wasantha Piyathissa addressed the ongoing flood situation linked to heavy rainfall, expressing condolences for deaths including three in Sainthamaruthu, and said the President had met Government and Opposition Members to discuss further parliamentary and relief measures. He reported rising water levels at Senanayake Samudraya in Ampara, noted prior concerns over the reservoir bund, and said the Irrigation Department and disaster authorities were taking action, with District Disaster Management Committees to meet nationwide from the next day. Responding to Opposition points, he said travel allowances for Agricultural Research and Production Assistants were being addressed, Rs. 352 million of the Rs. 500 million allocated for Young Agri-Entrepreneurs had already been disbursed, and reiterated the Government’s position that past development projects were associated with corruption. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. B. Ariyawansha SJB AI summary Hon. B. Ariyawansha discussed the Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation Votes, noting large allocations for 2025 and 2026 and arguing that farmers still face unfair prices, import pressures at harvest time, and excessive middleman margins. He urged the Agriculture and Trade Ministers to improve market systems so farmers receive fair returns and consumers pay reasonable prices, and called for action on chemical treatment and wastage of fruits. He also proposed establishing a domestic pepper oil processing plant to increase export value and farmgate prices, and requested stronger measures on paddy storage, wildlife damage, compensation, and effective wildlife management. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. Asoka Sapumal Ranwala JJB AI summary Hon. Asoka Sapumal Ranwala argued that agriculture policy should prioritize soil conservation, soil biota, scientific interventions, and regenerative practices to improve yields while reducing environmental harm. He stated that since 2024 the Government has expanded farmer training and soil-focused measures, citing the 2025 Yala paddy harvest of about 2.2 million metric tonnes alongside reduced fertilizer use and a higher fertilizer subsidy of Rs. 25,000 per hectare. He presented Agriculture Department, Treasury, Central Bank, and MDF data showing declining fertilizer imports and wider adoption of improved fertilizers, soil amendments, and better varieties, and linked these trends to the 2026 Budget’s focus on sustainable productivity and ecosystem protection. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama JJB AI summary Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama expressed condolences over weather-related losses and argued that flooding in Matara was worsened by an improperly located salinity barrier across the Nilwala Ganga, noting that the 2026 Budget provides compensation for affected farmers and funds remedial work. He criticized the previous chemical fertilizer ban for damaging agriculture and said the current Budget prioritizes restoring agricultural infrastructure and bringing fallow land back into cultivation. He stated that the Government is implementing a long-term expert-led agricultural plan focused on using all cultivable land, applying technology to reduce unit costs, and increasing farmer margins rather than raising prices. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →