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- 15 November 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, responding on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, stated that the list of mill owners requested under part (a)(iv) was still awaited from the finance division. He said the remaining information could be tabled immediately and the outstanding list submitted later. Oral Question: Q.562/2025 - Lands Belonging to Sri Lanka Railways: Lease Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake noted that although officers are well educated, technology adoption remains low, citing underuse of previously procured GPS equipment and continued manual record-keeping for minimal freight movement on a rail network originally designed for freight. He urged officers and professionals to support modernization and embrace change. The sitting then proceeded to a question on details of a concessional loan scheme for small and medium-scale rice mill owners, including its Cabinet approval date, objectives, loan criteria, beneficiaries, amounts, and monitoring method. Oral Question: Q.562/2025 - Lands Belonging to Sri Lanka Railways: Lease Read →
- 14 November 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara criticized the Budget as failing to implement the Government’s election manifesto and questioned whether previous year allocations had been spent or development targets achieved. He challenged claims of a Treasury surplus amid rising debt and higher costs, and argued that unspent allocations and increased taxation had masked inaction. He called for a lawful and workable framework for increasing plantation workers’ wages, including smallholder workers, and criticized agricultural proposals on youth agripreneurs, paddy procurement and onion support as inadequate and ad hoc. He also urged the Government to hold Provincial Council elections promptly. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill 2026 – Sixth Allotted Day Read →
- 14 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC AI summary Hon. Hizbullah welcomed the 2026 Budget as supporting post-crisis recovery, debt servicing from 2028, investment promotion, anti-drug measures, assistance for seriously ill patients, estate worker wage support, and allocations for projects in the Eastern Province, including the Nintavur Cultural Hall and Valachchenai Fisheries Harbour. He commended recent efforts to attract investment from Saudi Arabia and the UAE, while emphasizing that revenue growth alone would not be sufficient to meet future debt obligations. He urged reconsideration of the reduced VAT registration threshold, arguing it would burden small rural businesses and consumers, and raised concern that no allocation had been made to upgrade Puttalam Hospital to District General Hospital status despite a presidential pledge. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill 2026 – Sixth Allotted Day Read →
- 14 November 2025 The Hon. Aruna Panagoda JJB AI summary Hon. Aruna Panagoda supported the Government’s second Budget, arguing that Opposition criticism was politically motivated and contrasting it with what he described as past fiscal mismanagement and corruption under previous administrations. He highlighted allocations for agriculture and related sectors, and for sustainable transport reforms, and said revenue performance and the projected deficit showed improved fiscal management. He specifically welcomed Rs. 1,500 million to resume the Ruwanpura Expressway works from Kahathuduwa to Ingiriya and to pay long-delayed compensation to landowners, noting that over 800 families in Kahathuduwa were awaiting payment. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill 2026 – Sixth Allotted Day Read →
- 13 November 2025 The Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan ITAK AI summary Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan argued that the 2026 Budget contains some welcome allocations for the North and East, including university hostels, irrigation modernization, housing, airports, rural development, and sports, but said many are inadequate or lack targeted implementation. He called for higher capital spending in education, locally aligned TVET programmes, restoration of war-affected village tanks, dedicated housing for displaced families and release of military-held lands. He also urged funding for Northern and Eastern tourism infrastructure, use of existing grassroots bodies for rural development, upgrades to the A-9, Trincomalee Port and Eastern rail links, and larger allocations for regional sports facilities. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Second Reading (Fifth Allotted Day) Read →
- 13 November 2025 The Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa JJB AI summary Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa supported the 2026 Budget, describing it as aimed at economic stability, export diversification, debt sustainability, rural poverty reduction and digitalization. He rejected claims that the North and East had been neglected, citing major 2025 allocations to Ampara and Batticaloa, progress on the Gal Oya scheme, reconstruction of the Karaithivu–Mavadippalli Bridge, coastal park projects, and high fund utilization. He highlighted 2026 allocations for the Kalmunai Santhangeni Sports Ground, the long-delayed Nintavur cultural hall, and the Valachchenai fisheries harbour, while accusing some Opposition members of attempting to claim credit and inflame communal divisions. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Second Reading (Fifth Allotted Day) Read →
- 13 November 2025 The Hon. Nandana Pathmakumara JJB AI summary Hon. Nandana Pathmakumara supported the Government’s second Budget, “A Prosperous Country – A Beautiful Life,” citing Fitch Ratings’ reference to fiscal consolidation and noting claims of a Treasury surplus. He defended wage increases for estate workers and urged the Opposition to examine the Budget constructively rather than criticize it. He also highlighted Budget support for the livestock sector, stating that Sri Lanka imports 60 per cent of its milk needs and outlining a target to raise annual milk production by 1,200 million litres and meet 75 per cent of domestic demand by 2030. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Second Reading (Fifth Allotted Day) Read →
- 13 November 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Oshani Umanga JJB AI summary Hon. Oshani Umanga supported the 2026 Budget, arguing that the Government’s first year had demonstrated fiscal discipline through deficit reduction, curbs on unnecessary borrowing, and preparations for orderly external debt repayment by 2028. She said allocations prioritize health, education, agriculture, infrastructure, transport, estate workers, housing, and women’s empowerment, including a proposed Rs. 200 daily allowance for estate workers, Rs. 440 million for women’s empowerment, and 230 completed houses in Kalutara District. She criticized Opposition objections to the estate worker allowance and urged support for the Budget, presenting it as targeted toward vulnerable communities and national development. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Second Reading (Fifth Allotted Day) Read →
- 13 November 2025 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka argued that household food costs have risen sharply, placing public servants under financial pressure, and suggested the current cost may exceed Rs. 100,000. He said onion, pumpkin, potato, and finger millet farmers are unable to sell their produce and urged the Government to allocate funds and address these issues before a planned gathering in Nugegoda on the 21st. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Second Reading (Fifth Allotted Day) Read →
- 13 November 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Lalith Kumara JJB AI summary Chaminda Lalith Kumara defended the 2026 Budget, stating that it builds on the practical implementation of the 2025 Budget and includes village-level supervision to prevent waste and involve the public in development projects. He rejected Opposition criticism as baseless, urged members to read the Citizens’ Budget materials, and highlighted allocations and programmes for agriculture, value chains, youth engagement, tourism, drug eradication, and public security. He cited ongoing work in Gampaha and Meerigama to mobilize officials and community representatives, and dismissed allegations against him and his party relating to narcotics as politically motivated smears. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Second Reading (Fifth Allotted Day) Read →
- 13 November 2025 The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB AI summary Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara criticized the Budget’s public sector salary measures, arguing that the actual increase for lower-level public servants is minimal and that promised measures, including implementation of the remaining Subodinee Salary Commission recommendations for teachers, have not been delivered. He said allocations for principals’ and difficult-area allowances, housing loans, and distress loans are inadequate, and requested that executive-grade officers who already received vehicle permits under previous governments be allowed to use them. He also claimed the Budget offers no meaningful relief to farmers, fishers, the private sector, entrepreneurs, or public servants, and challenged the Government to hold Provincial Council Elections without first amending the law. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Second Reading (Fifth Allotted Day) Read →
- 13 November 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna - Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna rejected claims that the Norwood Divisional Secretariat would be moved to Hatton, stating that government policy is to bring services closer to villages. He argued that the 2026 Budget builds on 2025 stabilization measures after the economic crisis, citing fiscal discipline, anti-corruption efforts, inflation control, improved revenue, debt restructuring, reserve growth, tourism recovery, welfare support, and reduced VAT. He outlined a forward agenda based on inclusive growth, export diversification, debt sustainability, a production economy, rural poverty eradication, and digitalization, with support for SMEs, youth and women entrepreneurs, expanded education assistance, international university links, and a Rs. 21 billion allocation for research and development. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Second Reading (Fifth Allotted Day) Read →
- 13 November 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply JJB AI summary Minister Susil Ranasinghe responded to Opposition claims about omissions in the Budget, citing allocations for Hindu religious affairs, restoration of Hindu sites, rubber subsidies, small tea smallholders, and cinnamon development from the Budget documents. He argued that the 2025 Budget stabilized an economy in crisis and that the 2026 Budget shifts toward development through support for rural poverty eradication, entrepreneurship, village-level funding mechanisms such as Prajashakthi, and expanded low-income housing grants. He said housing funds would rise from about Rs. 3.5 billion to Rs. 10.2 billion, defended a community-driven construction model, and contrasted it with earlier housing projects he described as incomplete. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Second Reading (Fifth Allotted Day) Read →
- 13 November 2025 Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran said the 2026 Budget is largely aligned with IMF-led economic stabilization but contains positive allocations, particularly for health, including funding for Thirukkovil Base Hospital. He requested further attention to Ampara District’s rural roads and irrigation needs, including rehabilitation of canals and tanks to expand paddy cultivation. He called for higher education funding for research, innovation and technology, and questioned the absence of separate ministries for Hindu, Muslim and Christian affairs. He also requested recognition and civilian control of Maaveerar Thuyilum Illams in the North and East for remembrance purposes. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Second Reading (Fifth Allotted Day) Read →
- 13 November 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister stated that announced paddy prices include Nadu at Rs. 1,208, Samba at Rs. 1,258 and Keeri Samba at Rs. 1,328 per 5 kg, with a possible Keeri Samba revision to be discussed with the Minister of Agriculture on the 25th. He said Keeri Samba shortages stem from demand exceeding production, some stock aggregation by large millers, and black-market activity, and that the Government is importing GR-11 and Ponni/Chiru Samba as substitutes. He added that Keeri Samba cultivation under the Yaya 500 programme must increase from about 35,000–37,000 hectares to at least 50,000 hectares per season, and that instructions have been given to expand cultivation in assured-water areas. Private Notice Question: Paddy Prices and Rice Imports (27(2)) Read →
- 13 November 2025 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan raised concerns that rice import decisions, except in relation to Keeri Samba shortages, can undermine local farmers when other domestic varieties are available. He alleged that millers and traders buy Keeri Samba paddy at low prices, stockpile it, and later sell rice at higher prices, including through supermarkets, and requested action to ensure proper availability and prevent such practices. He also urged timely official paddy price-setting before harvests in the North and East, arguing that delayed pricing harms farmers and weakens national production. Private Notice Question: Paddy Prices and Rice Imports (27(2)) Read →
- 13 November 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that Sri Lanka’s annual rice requirement is about 2.7 million metric tons and that Yala 2025 production data show a surplus of Nadu but a shortfall in Keeri Samba and other Samba varieties. He said Cabinet approved imports of Ponni/GR-11 rice as substitutes for Keeri Samba after CAA and Lanka Sathosa monitoring indicated shortages, with about 63,000 metric tons imported by 13 November 2025 and controls placed on shipment timing and importer quantities. He outlined current maximum retail prices, CAA enforcement actions including raids and fines, and said government intervention is limited to addressing unaffordable prices, hoarding, or black-market practices. He also cited longer-term measures such as encouraging diversified cultivation, supporting farmers, re-establishing the Cooperative Wholesale Establishment, distributing rice through Sathosa and cooperatives, providing paddy dryers in 2026, and registering millers for oversight. Private Notice Question: Paddy Prices and Rice Imports (27(2)) Read →
- 13 November 2025 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan raised questions under Standing Order 27(2) to the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development regarding recent issues in rice distribution and pricing. He requested data on annual demand and domestic production by rice variety, especially any shortfalls, and asked how alleged stockpiling and black-market pricing of Keeri Samba could be controlled. He also sought details on imports of equivalent varieties such as Ponni and others, and asked whether new measures could support farmers, producers, consumers, regional millers, price stability, and uninterrupted supply. Private Notice Question: Paddy Prices and Rice Imports (27(2)) Read →
- 13 November 2025 The Hon. Rathna Gamage - Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister said recent discussions in Mannar and Mullaitivu with Defence authorities and fisheries officials led to a decision to establish a joint operations room and hotline to address local inter-district fishing intrusions, and that he would check its status and ensure follow-up on complaints. He stated that Indian fishing incursions are being addressed through diplomatic engagement with India alongside joint Navy–Department operations, with continued efforts expected to reduce incidents. On NAQDA licensing delays, he said staff shortages had prompted recruitment requests, and interim deployment of officers from other institutions would be considered to clear backlogs in the North and speed up licensing and dispute resolution. Oral Question: Curbing Illegal Fishing in Mullaitivu and Mannar Districts (1352/2025) Read →