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- 26 November 2025 The Hon. Rathna Gamage - Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Rathna Gamage outlined the Fisheries Ministry’s 2026 budget allocations, stating that nearly Rs. 15 billion, including funds through the Budget, restructuring support and Provincial Councils, would support harbour development, landing sites, distressed state entities and post-harvest loss reduction. He said the Government aims to modernize fisheries as a production-sector industry, improve fisher livelihoods, increase fish consumption toward nutritional targets, and expand value-added exports, while addressing inherited problems in harbours and state institutions. He also noted fuel assistance provided to fishers, planned investments in northern and eastern facilities, and increased funding for inland fisheries alongside initiatives such as the “Aqua Planet - Sri Lanka, International Expo 2025.” Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day Read →
- 26 November 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper raised concerns about fisheries livelihoods in Trincomalee, urging the Fisheries Minister to meet 1,845 families affected by a cage fishing agreement with Global Ceylon Seafoods and to provide either alternative fishing opportunities or an alternative site for the company rather than cash relief. He also called for urgent action in Kalmunai and Karaithivu–Mavadippalli following early monsoon impacts, including bridge and railing works and dry-ration relief for affected fishers. Addressing the Digital Economy portfolio, he highlighted problems in immigration digitization, proposed a secure online mechanism to check travel bans, and called for better EV charging infrastructure and updated legal frameworks for international digital payments and taxation. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day Read →
- 26 November 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Hon. Namal Rajapaksa criticized the Government’s fisheries policy, arguing that promised growth through the ocean economy has not materialized while imports of dried fish and Maldive fish have increased and exports of sea cucumber, crab and tuna have declined. He questioned the utilization of previous Budget allocations, including Rs. 200 million for sea cucumber farming, and said technology initiatives such as satellite-based fish locating systems have not been implemented despite available solutions. He argued that more than two million people dependent on fisheries are facing a worsening crisis due to reduced support, lack of engagement with small-scale and multi-day fishers, and politicization of cooperative structures, and called for clearer action to protect livelihoods and local production. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day Read →
- 26 November 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Namal Rajapaksa questioned whether budget allocations for digitalization are being practically implemented, asking how much of the previous year’s Digital Economy Ministry allocation was spent on digitizing State and citizen services. He cited delays in building telecom towers and argued that accountability is needed before making further commitments on digitalization. He also criticized the Government’s fisheries policy, noting reported declines in inland and marine fisheries and alleging insufficient stocking of reservoirs with fish fingerlings despite earlier campaign promises to build the economy around the sea. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day Read →
- 26 November 2025 The Hon. Ravindra Bandara AI summary Hon. Ravindra Bandara said Sri Lanka must build a production-oriented economy by increasing investment in science, technology and R&D, noting that past spending was very low compared with regional and advanced economies. He outlined Budget allocations including Rs. 21 billion for R&D across ministries, measures to reduce potato imports through seed development and technology, and Rs. 1,200 million for commercialization of research. He highlighted planned initiatives in green hydrogen, green ammonia, rooftop solar grid control, data centres and foreign investment, and said forthcoming 2026 legislation would establish national research and commercialization institutions to align priorities and oversight. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day Read →
- 26 November 2025 The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran, speaking during the Committee Stage debate on the Fisheries Ministry allocation, raised concerns about illegal fishing practices, weak enforcement, and Indian trawler incursions affecting northern fishers, particularly in Mullaitivu and the Vanni District. He cited prohibited methods under the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act, including blast fishing, light-assisted fishing, trawling, and illegal small-mesh nets, and questioned whether the Government has data on how much of Mullaitivu’s 2024 catch came from such practices. While welcoming 2026 Budget proposals for fisheries development, he urged stronger action to protect traditional fishers’ livelihoods, marine resources, and Sri Lanka’s maritime sovereignty. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day Read →
- 26 November 2025 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana said the Opposition’s role during the Ministry’s Budget Head debate was to acknowledge positive measures while warning the Government where it was failing, particularly in relation to fisheries. He recalled fisheries-related initiatives under former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, including “Diyawara Gammana,” and urged the current Minister to heed the concerns raised and implement promises made to fishing communities. He said the Government should correct mistakes rather than repeat them, and called for the responsibilities and commitments referenced in the President’s speech to be fulfilled. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day Read →
- 26 November 2025 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana recalled the President’s campaign pledge to provide fishers with SMS alerts on fish aggregation zones, sea temperatures and weather conditions, similar to systems he said were used in India. He asked the Fisheries Minister whether such alerts are being sent and to identify the harbours or multi-day vessels receiving them, asserting that fishers have not received the promised service. He argued that the fisheries community, like farmers and other groups, had been misled by unfulfilled election promises. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day Read →
- 26 November 2025 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary The Minister said the fisheries sector is being treated as a key area for economic recovery, with emphasis on modernizing fleets, expanding deep-sea activity, and shifting toward aquaculture, mariculture, and value addition. He noted past fuel support of Rs. 2.3 billion during the crisis, but said permanent subsidies are a broader policy issue and that fishers should become more productive rather than dependent on transfers. He outlined Budget 2026 allocations for harbour development, inland fisheries, life-saving equipment, post-harvest loss reduction, satellite communications, and projects in Kankesanthurai and Myliddy. He also addressed coastal protection, local canned fish production, salt supply concerns, a national fisheries exhibition, and ongoing efforts to resolve beach-seine-related issues around Negombo. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day Read →
- 26 November 2025 The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi said promised fisheries fuel concessions, levy removals, and duty reductions had not been implemented, and proposed supplying diesel to about 7,000 multi-day boats at a Rs. 150 per litre concession through designated harbours. He urged the Government not to proceed with proposed bans affecting mechanized beach-seine support systems and Ambalangoda light-coarse operations, instead calling for controlled, stakeholder-based regulation to protect livelihoods. He also requested revival of traditional value-added fish processing through concessional salt access, operationalization and staffing of inland aquaculture centres, procurement of fast medical evacuation boats for fishers, and renewed attention to earlier Blue Economy planning. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day Read →
- 26 November 2025 The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi moved the customary token reduction of Rs. 10 from the recurrent and capital expenditure under the relevant Heads during the Committee Stage debate on the Appropriation Bill, 2026. He raised concerns over fuel and kerosene concessions for multi-day vessel and outboard motor craft owners, restrictions affecting beach-seine operations, protests by fishing communities, and hardship caused by the decline of related industries such as dried shark, Maldive fish and salmon processing. He stated that he wore black in solidarity with protesting fishers and criticized the Government for not resolving these issues. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB AI summary The Minister tabled a written answer on the waste of palmyrah toddy and the proposed reactivation of the Thikkam Distillery, noting that it has not operated since 2012 and would require a minimum daily input of 30,000 litres from Northern Province districts. He said a 25-year lease had been signed in 2022 with Royal Cast (Pvt.) Ltd. to renovate and operate the facility, but protests by toddy-supplying co-operatives have delayed operations, with discussions ongoing to reach agreement. The answer also detailed previous budget allocations and construction works, returned funds, expected benefits of modernization, and broader Palmyrah Development Board projects for cultivation, value addition, marketing, training and co-operative strengthening. Oral Question: Palmyrah Toddy Waste and Thikkam Distillery Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. Gayan Janaka (on behalf of the Hon. K. Ilankumaran) JJB AI summary Asked the Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure about the waste of surplus palmyrah toddy due to the inactivity of the Jaffna Thikkam Distillery and sought details on steps to modernize and reactivate it. The question requested confirmation of Cabinet approval of Rs. 112.5 million in 2016, the project’s current progress, expected completion date, and anticipated benefits for toddy producers and co-operative societies in the Northern Province. It also sought information on plans to produce value-added products such as toddy juice and surgical spirits and on support projects for small-scale palmyrah suppliers and producers in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. Oral Question: Palmyrah Toddy Waste and Thikkam Distillery Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary The Minister stated that he would instruct the Road Development Authority Chairman to visit the relevant site within a week, inspect it with officials, and take necessary action. He also invited the Member who raised the matter to participate in the visit. Oral Question: Yatiyantota Garagoda Bridge Renovation (Q.3/2025) Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Ambika Samivel JJB AI summary Hon. Ambika Samivel raised concerns that many NYSC courses are conducted only in Sinhala, causing difficulties and dropouts among Tamil students, especially in Badulla and Nuwara Eliya. She asked whether Tamil-medium sections in institutions such as NAITA, VTA and NYSC would be strengthened, and proposed establishing centres to provide language training and direct students into new agriculture and tourism-oriented courses in areas such as Bandarawela and Neluwa. Oral Question: National Youth Services Council Training Centres in Tamil Medium (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Manjula Suraweera Arachchi JJB AI summary Manjula Suraweera Arachchi addressed Budget expenditure heads related to transport and urban development, focusing on Nuwara Eliya District’s unmet needs in plantation-linked rural villages and underdeveloped towns. He highlighted inadequate sewerage, toilets, roads, housing and public transport, noting that 24 routes are too degraded for regular bus operations and 20 routes lack buses due to shortages, and said he was tabling a list of affected routes. He cited Rs. 500 million allocated for Hatton town, planned development of several other towns through 2026–2028, and around Rs. 3,000 million in 2025 for carpeting 44 roads, with further Provincial Council and PRDA road works. He urged systematic, ministry-linked development of rural roads and towns and invited the Opposition to support the programme. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Construction and Housing Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth raised a supplementary question about 180 acres at Iraththal West Palliyadiwattai, said to have been cultivated by Pottuvil and Lakugala farmers since 1978 but restricted for eight years due to a Forest Department court order, affecting about 63 families. He cited prior administrative permissions, farmer registration, meetings, and a pending case against 17 farmers, and asked whether steps could be taken under Cabinet decisions to release these lands, as well as lands at Sengamam and Sarvodaya Pura, for cultivation. Oral Question: Agricultural Lands in Pottuvil and Lakugala (Q.2) Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth asked about approximately 502 acres of paddy land within the Lakugala and Pottuvil DS limits that have remained uncultivated since 2000 and are claimed by communities from both divisions, though not by the Forest or Wildlife Departments. He noted earlier decisions, including at a Parliament complex meeting chaired by the President and at the Ampara DCC, to divide the land equally between Lakugala and Pottuvil farmers. He requested that a committee including the Government Agent, the two Divisional Secretaries, the DCC Chairman and others be appointed to expedite the division and allocation of the lands for cultivation. Oral Question: Agricultural Lands in Pottuvil and Lakugala (Q.2) Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation whether the Government is aware of earlier steps to return ancestral cultivated lands in Ampara District, including Pottuvil, that were taken over by the Wildlife and Forest Conservation Departments. He sought confirmation on releasing specified paddy lands in several villages to former cultivators, enabling their contribution to national paddy production, and providing related infrastructure such as access roads, irrigation, drainage, culverts and small bridges. Oral Question: Agricultural Lands in Pottuvil and Lakugala (Q.2) Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Handunnetti supported the Adjournment Motion on the salt shortage affecting Kinniya’s fisheries sector and said suitable areas for local salt production, including Vilveli and Kachchakoditheevu, had been identified. He proposed technical support through National Salt Limited, better laboratory, storage and worker facilities, organization of producer associations, and concessional loans of up to Rs. 25 million at about 7 percent interest for private salterns and related livelihoods. He asked local representatives to identify further sites and potential entrepreneurs through district coordination mechanisms, and suggested starting a model salt production unit in Vilveli to meet local demand. Adjournment Motion: Improvement of Facilities for Salt Production in Kinniya DS Division Read →