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- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen SJB AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen supported the Adjournment Motion on salt production in Kinniya, noting the area’s dense population and potential to expand local production. He argued that promoting salt production in Kinniya and other suitable districts could create employment, support regional development, reduce imports, and improve foreign exchange outcomes. He requested the Minister to send a study team, prepare work plans, provide training and loan facilities, and allocate funds in the next Budget to support salt producers. Adjournment Motion: Improvement of Facilities for Salt Production in Kinniya DS Division Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB AI summary Hon. Imran Maharoof moved an Adjournment Motion calling for government support to regularize and develop small-scale salt production in the Kinniya Divisional Secretariat area of Trincomalee District. He said around 300 families work across about 60 acres but face inadequate technical knowledge, storage, machinery, infrastructure, finance and market access, despite the area’s suitability for salt production. He requested site identification, training, laboratory facilities for iodization and grading, storage and road infrastructure, sluice gates, lighting, easier bank loans, youth engagement and Salt Corporation supervision to raise production to national market standards. Adjournment Motion: Improvement of Facilities for Salt Production in Kinniya DS Division Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Piyathissa - Deputy Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB AI summary Wasantha Piyathissa defended the Praja Shakthi programme as a lawful, grassroots development mechanism and rejected Opposition criticism by attributing administrative delays and economic collapse to shortcomings of previous governments. He said the Government had intervened in the Hingurana Sugar Factory dispute between Gal Oya Plantation Company and cane farmers, including discussions on temporary paddy cultivation for interim farmer income, though the Board had not approved the proposal. Outlining his Ministry’s welfare work, he cited increased elderly allowances for 800,000 low-income beneficiaries, disability allowances for 162,588 persons, skills training for youth with disabilities, and new service-access systems for persons with speech impairments. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy supported the Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Ministry’s role but urged the Government to focus on effective implementation of new Budget programmes rather than political claims about the past. He questioned disparities in sugar prices under the “one product, one shop” concept, called for transparency, and said youth entrepreneur loan schemes had reached too few beneficiaries despite allocations. He proposed stronger district-level and national value-chain programmes for coconut, coir, batik, apparel, fisheries, dairy and spice processing, with market access, women-focused credit, digital support and inter-ministerial coordination. He also requested comprehensive pre-departure skills training for migrant workers and urged that any plastic bag policy first establish viable domestic eco-friendly alternatives before legislation. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC AI summary Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah urged the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development to prioritize industrial revival in the Eastern Province, including fully operational industrial zones in Batticaloa and Pottuvil, investor facilitation, SME support, training for unskilled youth, and bank financing for small enterprises. He highlighted opportunities in mineral sands, agriculture-based manufacturing, fisheries, tourism, handloom, rice milling, coir, palmyrah products and fish packaging, and called for modern technology and private-sector partnerships to create employment. He also requested upgrading the Valaichchenai Paper Factory, expanding its production, and developing its 300-acre premises and heritage buildings into a tourism-oriented “Paper City” with homestays, a museum and related facilities, alongside improved rail services to support tourism in Batticaloa and nearby areas. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe supported the 2026 allocation for the Ministry of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development and thanked the Minister for intervening in issues affecting cane growers in Ampara through a district-level committee and field inquiry. He said the inquiry found discrepancies in land allocated and used by Gal Oya Plantations/Hingurana Sugar Company, including an 819-hectare shortfall and allegations of company control over lands licensed to farmers for cane cultivation. He tabled the report and highlighted pending court cases, farmer indebtedness, forced land takeovers, and operational delays in harvesting and cultivation as issues requiring further action. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB AI summary Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara raised concerns over rising sugar production costs, citing high fertilizer, fuel and electricity prices, and urged government intervention to protect cane farmers and the sugar industry amid delayed payments at Siyambalanduwa and Pelwatte. He referenced past violence linked to the Siyambalanduwa sugar factory and questioned whether current policies risk undermining the industry. He also criticized the Rs. 25 billion “Praja Shakthi” programme, alleging that poverty alleviation is being politicized through divisional Community Development Councils chaired by political appointees, and called for such programmes to be administered by officials and village communities rather than party actors. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara argued that government import and tax policies are undermining Sri Lanka’s sugarcane industry, particularly in Monaragala, despite commitments to promote domestic production. He said large volumes of imported sugar, equal taxation of white and brown sugar, VAT on local sugar, and imported inputs for ethanol production have left local sugar and ethanol unsold, and called for higher duties and tax relief to protect domestic producers. He also requested restoration of fertilizer support, urgent payment of EPF/ETF arrears for workers at Sevanagala and Pelwatte, and asked whether the Government intends to privatize or close sugar mills under the Sri Lanka Sugar Company. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Manoj Rajapaksha JJB AI summary Manoj Rajapaksha spoke in support of the Committee Stage allocations for the Ministries of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development, and Rural Development, Social Protection and Community Empowerment, arguing that past economic approaches had left key productive sectors weakened and rural poverty entrenched. He defended the Government’s current programmes, including the national anti-narcotics initiative and the “Praja Shakthi” rural development programme, and said these align with the President’s Budget proposals to eradicate rural poverty through village-level economic empowerment, infrastructure, education, health, and social protection. Citing high rural and estate-sector poverty, including in the Kegalle District and Dedigama electorate, he said social protection and empowerment measures must directly target poor rural and estate communities. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Ismail Muththu Mohamed AI summary Hon. Ismail Muththu Mohamed said the 2026 Budget and industrial development plans should give greater attention to the war-affected Northern and Eastern Provinces, where agriculture and fisheries remain vulnerable to floods, wildlife damage and unresolved subsidy issues. He called for the revival and modernization of factories such as the Kankesanthurai cement factory, Oddusuddan bottle factory, Paranthan chemical corporation, Manthai Salt Limited and Valachchenai Paper Mill, and for new factories and industrial estates in Mannar, Vavuniya and Mullaitivu to address unemployment. He also requested an increase in Aswesuma benefits, revision of beneficiary selection criteria, new appointments and higher travel allowances for Samurdhi Development Officers, and increased allowances for elderly persons and persons with disabilities. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. W.H.M. Dharmasena SJB AI summary Hon. W.H.M. Dharmasena urged urgent intervention to stabilize the Sevanagala and Pelwatte sugar companies, describing them as central to Monaragala District’s economic development since their establishment in 1977. He cited unpaid farmer dues, employee grievances over medical insurance, EPF/ETF, promotions and salary increases, large unsold sugar stocks, and reduced cane-crushing capacity, proposing that stock sales and operational improvements be used to address these issues. He also defended his past involvement in employment matters at Pelwatte as being in the interest of local residents and argued that the factories should be protected for farmers, workers, and the district’s future. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan ITAK AI summary Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan distinguished between two Trincomalee sites associated with the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bodhivardhana Samithiya and argued that a proposed dhamma school construction on a coastal leasehold plot would violate post-tsunami coastal conservation rules and pose safety risks, urging the Government and Judiciary to uphold the law. He also cautioned against ethnic or religious tensions in Trincomalee, stating that local Sinhala and Tamil residents had maintained peace. In the Budget debate on the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, he said the Rs. 38.6 billion allocation was inadequate for rural development needs and should be at least doubled. He supported rural development objectives but urged that the “Praja Shakthi” programme use existing village, women’s, farmer, fisheries and cooperative bodies rather than creating new councils that could become politicized. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. T.K. Jayasundara JJB AI summary Hon. T.K. Jayasundara supported the 2026 Budget allocation for the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, arguing that Sri Lanka should rebuild industrial confidence through collective effort, self-help, and a village-centred entrepreneurship model. He said the Ministry is coordinating district and divisional industry promotion bodies and agencies under a unified framework, while depoliticizing assistance and improving productivity, financial literacy, digitalization, and monitoring. He highlighted measures including anti-dumping and countervailing duties, credit mechanisms, and support for export-oriented sectors such as cinnamon, tea, coir, wood products, spices, food products, and gems, while also identifying narcotics and labour constraints as barriers to industrial development. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam argued that rural development should be treated as national development, calling for the release and allocation of land for productive use, rehabilitation of abandoned irrigation tanks, and politically unbiased distribution of 2026 Budget rural development funds to local authorities. He urged stronger social protection for vulnerable groups, particularly persons with disabilities and female-headed households in the North and East, and requested additional welfare funding for war-affected areas. He proposed improved disability services including special education facilities in every Divisional Secretariat, reserved seating in public transport, mobile services for bedridden patients, accessible housing with at least Rs. 2 million per unit, and genuinely accessible soft loans. He also asked that Aswesuma eligibility not be determined solely by electricity bills, noting that persons with disabilities may have higher electricity use due to assistive needs. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, Nalinda Jayatissa tabled a written answer on dairy cattle breeding and artificial insemination from 2020 to 2025. The response provided figures on locally selected semen-donor bulls, imported and domestically produced bovine semen, calves reported from AI services, and stated that no semen-donor bulls were imported during the period. It also compared the advantages and costs of importing semen versus importing animals, noting access to high-yield and sexed genetics but higher fiscal costs for imported semen compared with domestic production. Oral Questions: Second Round – Unemployed Graduates and Bovine Semen Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Manjula Suraweera Arachchi (on behalf of the Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama) JJB AI summary Manjula Suraweera Arachchi, on behalf of Prof. L.M. Abeywickrama, requested year-by-year data from 2020 to 2025 on bulls used for semen collection, bovine semen produced and imported, calves born through artificial insemination, and bulls imported, relating to the Central Artificial Insemination Centre in Kundasale. The question also sought an explanation of the advantages of importing bovine semen for breeding rather than importing bulls for semen collection. Oral Questions: Second Round – Unemployed Graduates and Bovine Semen Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary The Minister said Ayurveda medicine production faces a serious shortage of raw materials due to reliance on imports and insufficient private-sector investment in local production. He stated that the Government is upgrading hospital-linked pharmaceutical production units, including allocating funds in the next Budget to equip the Siddha pharmacy at Kaithady. He added that funds have been allocated this year and will continue in 2026 to improve herbal gardens and increase local raw-material production, with particular focus on completing work in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. Oral Question: Medical Centres Providing Siddha Medicine in Mullaitivu, Mannar and Vavuniya Districts (Question No. 4) Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana JJB AI summary Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana responded to Opposition criticism by arguing that previous governments failed to address long-standing farmer distress, citing protests by big onion and potato growers. He said the Government has procured paddy at around Rs. 120 per kilo, repaired Sathosa paddy stores, distributed stocks through Sathosa, and included cold-storage and warehousing measures in the Budget. He stated that from January purchases will begin at guaranteed prices for produce meeting required standards, noting big onions are being bought at Rs. 145 per kilo with a target of Rs. 150 next year. Oral Question: Vavuniya Dedicated Economic Centre (Question No. 1) Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned the Government’s support for farmers, arguing that assured prices have not been provided for crops including onions, potatoes, pumpkin and paddy despite references to cold storage and Economic Centres. He said fertilizer subsidy payments were delayed in the previous season and, with the Maha season underway, asked how the Government would ensure timely fertilizer support within the production cycle. He urged the Government to implement a more effective guaranteed price mechanism and provide a clear response to farmers. Oral Question: Vavuniya Dedicated Economic Centre (Question No. 1) Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana JJB AI summary The Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana stated that an Economic Centre, built but left unopened for about seven years, was opened in September and is now operational. He said the Government is considering adding cold-storage facilities, including a cold room, to reduce post-harvest losses, with Rs. 1,000 million allocated for the purpose this year. He also noted that an unused rehabilitation centre is to be taken over for the Co-operative Department, following intervention by the District Development Committee Chairman, to address the request regarding a Co-operative Training Centre. Oral Question: Vavuniya Dedicated Economic Centre (Question No. 1) Read →