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. Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam proposed establishing a cold-storage facility at the Economic Centre, noting that over 5,000 kg of vegetables arrive there daily and wastage occurs due to the lack of cold rooms, and asked whether this could be done under the current Budget allocations. He also supported retaining the Centre’s administration under the Government Agent. He further asked when persons undergoing drug rehabilitation at the Co-operative Training School in Poonthottam would be moved to a more suitable facility, suggesting the provincial rehabilitation centre at Poovarasankulam Hospital as an alternative. Oral Question: Vavuniya Dedicated Economic Centre (Question No. 1) Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana - Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that the Vavuniya Dedicated Economic Centre was opened on 3 September 2025. He said 35 stalls had been allocated, under a 2021 Cabinet decision, to eligible wholesale traders from the Vavuniya wholesale market, with remaining stalls to be prioritized for local farmers’ organizations and district applicants, and two expected to be allocated to Lanka Sathosa for aggregation and sales. Oral Question: Vavuniya Dedicated Economic Centre (Question No. 1) Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary The Minister, on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, tabled the Annual Reports of the Lanka Fertilizer Company Limited for 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 and the Central Advisory Committee on Engineering Works for 2024. He proposed that the reports be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Sustainable Use of Resources, and the House agreed. Tabling of Papers: Regulations and Annual Reports Read →
- 20 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath ITAK AI summary Dr. Elayathamby Srinath welcomed the Budget allocations for the Ministry of Power and Energy and focused on electricity access issues in Batticaloa and other rural areas. He called for assistance schemes to reduce the cost of new connections for poor households, higher support for extension lines, faster provision of transformers and three-phase supply, and an upfront assessment process for SMEs. He also raised CEB staffing shortages in the Eastern Province, requesting priority for local recruitment, and asked that tariff issues for battery-backed solar and delays in rooftop solar approvals be reviewed to support renewable energy uptake and livelihoods. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Read →
- 20 November 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper proposed constructing a secondary dam across the Gal Oya reservoir at Senanayake Samudra in Ampara to collect surplus water, improve canal management, and support a solar-powered repumping system. He argued that the system could reintroduce water into irrigation networks during droughts and also contribute to power generation, and requested attention to the proposal. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development JJB AI summary Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe clarified that National Agri Marketing Services Limited is a wholly Treasury-owned State company with a seven-member board, and said its creation is intended to standardize and improve the management of Dedicated Economic Centres, not privatize them. He cited unresolved audit issues, unrecovered public investment, irregular stall allocations and inconsistent management practices across the 18 centres, and proposed centre-level management committees including officials, traders, farmers, banks, police and local authorities. He outlined plans to address post-harvest losses through improved packaging, operationalize the Indian-funded Dambulla cold storage facility by December, support Government purchases of potatoes and onions, and relocate or refurbish facilities including Thambuththegama. He said leases would be for five years with valuation-based rent revisions, and that earlier draft provisions referring to a private company or re-tendering had been changed after stakeholder consultations. Adjournment: Dedicated Economic Centres Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. Gamagedara Dissanayake - Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB AI summary Gamagedara Dissanayake discussed alleged irregularities in the management of the Dambulla Dedicated Economic Centre, including politically influenced appointments, unofficial collections from farmers, charges for entry and toilet use, and politically driven stall allocations to non-stakeholders. He said the centres were intended to benefit farmers but current practices undermine that purpose, with large monthly collections not fully reflected in official management accounts. He supported the subject Minister’s proposal for a structured mechanism to regularize DEC management and argued that those benefiting from the existing system were attempting to obstruct reforms. Adjournment: Dedicated Economic Centres Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna seconded the motion and said Dedicated Economic Centres were established to protect farmers from middlemen, reduce waste, and provide fair prices to producers and consumers. She questioned whether the proposed limited liability company to manage DECs would meet those objectives, urging renewed consultations with farmers and centre stakeholders before decisions are taken. She also called for practical improvements such as providing electricity for cold storage facilities, particularly to prevent produce from being discarded during glut periods. Adjournment: Dedicated Economic Centres Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake asked the Minister to look into complaints from traders and farmers connected to the shift from Anuradhapura to the new Dambulla centre. He specifically raised concerns about commissions allegedly taken from farmers and requested ministerial attention to the issue. Adjournment: Dedicated Economic Centres Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake moved an adjournment motion opposing the proposed conversion of Sri Lanka’s 14 Dedicated Economic Centres into a limited company, National Agri Market Services Limited, and the vesting of their land and buildings in that entity. He argued that the centres have functioned under District and Divisional Secretaries since 1999, serve farmers effectively, and that transferring them to a company risks public assets and has generated stakeholder opposition. He urged the Government to withdraw or reconsider the proposed legislation, consult affected farmers and traders, and address any management or accountability issues within the existing administrative framework. Adjournment: Dedicated Economic Centres Read →
- 18 November 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper argued that profitable plantation companies should fund the Government-mandated wage increase for estate workers from their own profits, rather than receiving part of the Rs. 5 billion Government allocation. He proposed that the saved funds be used to further increase workers’ wages, while Government support should be limited to loss-making private and state-owned plantations to ensure the increment is paid. He also emphasized that estate land and the “Ceylon Tea” brand belong to the state and the people, not to plantation companies. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Read →
- 18 November 2025 The Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana — Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security AI summary The Deputy Minister tabled data on rice imports, stating that 263,878 metric tonnes were imported between 18 November 2024 and 13 November 2025, with Special Commodity Levy revenue of Rs. 14,686 million for specified HS codes from 25 November 2024 to 31 October 2025. He also provided the applicable import tax categories and the current maximum retail prices for rice varieties under Gazette No. 2459/12 of 21 October 2025. The answer stated that further imports are not presently expected except for specialty types such as Basmati, and that imports are considered only during market shortfalls so no adverse impact on local paddy farmers is anticipated. It outlined Agriculture Ministry measures to improve domestic production, including new high-quality varieties, strengthened seed systems, fertilizer efficiency, mechanization, drone technology, and a Paddy Production Cluster Programme targeting higher yields from the 2025/26 Maha season through 2028. Oral Question No. 1063/2025: Import of Rice under Present Government Read →
- 18 November 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana) SJB AI summary A question was raised seeking details on rice imports since the current Government took office, including imported quantities, varieties, taxes per kilogramme, tax revenue, and any price ceiling. It also asked whether further imports are planned, what impact imports have on local paddy farmers, and what national measures are proposed to reduce reliance on rice imports. Oral Question No. 1063/2025: Import of Rice under Present Government Read →
- 18 November 2025 The Hon. Upali Samarasingha JJB AI summary Upali Samarasingha said Sri Lanka lacks a comprehensive, harmonized national policy on food and related products across ministries, contributing to the entry of substandard medicines, contaminated foods, and unsafe preservation practices. He noted concerns over unhygienic meat display and said PHIs and Health Ministry guidelines are used, while the Health and Trade Ministries are working on an updated national policy and enforcement mechanism. Oral Question No. 1431/2025: Substandard Food and Consumer Goods Prevention of Sale Read →
- 18 November 2025 The Hon. Ajith Gihan JJB AI summary Ajith Gihan raised concerns about food safety, citing high pesticide residues, non-compliance with pre-harvest intervals for fruits and vegetables, and unhygienic meat sales in open stalls. He asked whether the Government would introduce stronger, structured regulation and enforceable standards covering food, cosmetics and related consumer items to protect public health and address tourism-related concerns. Oral Question No. 1431/2025: Substandard Food and Consumer Goods Prevention of Sale Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa urged the Government and President to intervene in a dispute at the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bodhiraja Viharaya in Trincomalee, arguing that police restrictions within a registered temple precinct should be resolved through consultation with the Maha Nayake Theras and in line with constitutional protections for Buddhism and other religions. He also asked that delayed fertilizer subsidy payments for the Maha season be expedited, particularly in areas such as Thalawa, Rajanganaya and Namal Oya. He called for higher allowances and better recognition for Inquirers into Sudden Deaths, proposed consideration of a Coronial Services Commission, and pressed for the absorption of Teacher Development Officers into the teaching service according to prior commitments and court settlement terms. He further urged respect for Parliament staff, criticised alleged misleading claims on teacher-related promises, and requested stronger regulation of foreign employment agencies to prevent exploitation. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage (Heads 110, 112, 228-236, 326) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary On behalf of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Sustainable Resources, Hon. Hector Appuhamy presented committee reports on several annual and performance reports relating to tea, coconut cultivation, fisheries, aquatic resources, and related institutions. The reports covered documents from 2017 and 2021-2024, including those of the Sri Lanka Tea Board, Coconut Cultivation Board, NARA, the Ministry of Fisheries, and the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation, and were ordered to lie upon the Table. Papers - Annual Reports and Committee Reports Tabled Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne JJB AI summary Namal Karunaratne acknowledged concerns about paddy released to millers through Government Agents, noting current shortages of both stocks and cash and alleging fraud by some parties. He said the law should be applied equally amid investigations into irregular releases, while highlighting that small millers faced tougher and costlier access to credit compared with large millers. He stated that steps are being taken to address this imbalance and prevent market cornering by larger millers. Oral Question: Q.562/2025 - Lands Belonging to Sri Lanka Railways: Lease Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Hon. Kins Nelson raised concerns that small and medium rice millers, particularly in areas such as Polonnaruwa, have been unable to access bank credit after defaults linked to the Easter attacks, COVID-19, and the economic crisis, leading to CRIB listings and asset auctions under the parate law from 30 June 2025. He argued that lack of timely pre-harvest credit to these millers, while larger millers received facilities, is a key factor in rising rice prices. He asked whether the Ministry will ensure banks provide credit to small and medium millers before the Maha harvest, in line with the President’s stated commitment. Oral Question: Q.562/2025 - Lands Belonging to Sri Lanka Railways: Lease Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne JJB AI summary The Hon. Namal Karunaratne provided details of Cabinet-approved concessional loan schemes for small and medium-scale rice millers across recent paddy seasons, including objectives to secure fair prices for farmers, provide low-interest financing, and strengthen the rice milling sector. He outlined eligibility criteria such as business registration, a 25 MT maximum daily milling capacity, a Rs. 50 million loan ceiling, a 180-day repayment period, and the requirement to purchase paddy at or above the Government-announced minimum price. He stated that banks would monitor stock-based lending and collateral, the Treasury would pay interest subsidies after certification, and the Department of Agrarian Development would monitor compliance during procurement, while further financial details and lists of mill owners would be provided once received. Oral Question: Q.562/2025 - Lands Belonging to Sri Lanka Railways: Lease Read →