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- 11 November 2025 Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB AI summary Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna supported the 2026 Budget, emphasizing its agricultural measures under the Government’s broader policy pillars. He highlighted allocations for SATOSA purchases and storage, fertilizer subsidies and credit, farmers’ pensions, paddy buffer stocks, youth agripreneurs, crop insurance, irrigation modernization, paddy drying machinery, and dairy sector development. He said these measures respond to current difficulties faced by onion, potato, and rice farmers, and stated that the Government aims to establish a fair purchasing mechanism by the following year to ensure just prices for farm produce. Debate: Second Reading of 2026 Budget Bill (Day 3, Morning) Read →
- 11 November 2025 Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa argued that the 2025 Budget had shown weak implementation, citing low physical and financial progress in allocations for education, autism services, agriculture, sports, coconut development and land investment programmes, and questioned the credibility of the 2026 Budget proposals in that context. He accused the Government of failing to fulfil election promises, including pledges relating to the IMF agreement and debt sustainability framework, and said poor households, farmers, workers, youth, businesses, women, plantation communities and fisherfolk had been neglected. He demanded answers on measures to reduce the cost of living, the functioning of any Cabinet or official cost-of-living mechanism, and the Government’s plan for unemployed graduates. Debate: Second Reading of 2026 Budget Bill (Day 3, Morning) Read →
- 11 November 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake argued that SMEs and small manufacturers are under severe cash-flow pressure, citing tea auctions where buyers must finance an additional 18 per cent despite falling prices and refund delays of 75–106 days. He said these conditions make importing from countries such as India and China quicker and more attractive than local manufacturing in sectors including printing, rubber, textiles and ceramics. He asked the Deputy Minister to examine the issue, noting falling tea prices and a reported USD 450 million balance of payments deficit in September. Ministerial Statements: Debt Sustainability and SVAT Impact Read →
- 11 November 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe said the Government had intervened in potato and onion markets by imposing duties from 25 August, raising the duty from Rs. 10 to Rs. 50, and setting an onion purchase price of Rs. 130 per kilo through the private sector and Sathosa based on cost calculations. He said prices had fluctuated due to weather, but the Government was monitoring the situation and preparing long-term measures, including storage facilities, a purchasing programme funded by a Rs. 1,000 million Budget allocation, and pre-announced farm-gate prices based on production costs plus a margin. Procedural Matters: Points of Order and Ministerial Clarifications Read →
- 11 November 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara raised concerns under Standing Order 29(2) about shortages in wholesale markets and ongoing protests by potato, onion, and paddy farmers over low farm-gate prices and imports during local harvest periods. Citing the Code of Conduct duty to act in the public interest, he said farmers were demanding the resignation of the Agriculture, Trade, and relevant State Ministers and asked the Government to state its concrete plan to ensure fair prices for potato and onion farmers. Procedural Matters: Points of Order and Ministerial Clarifications Read →
- 10 November 2025 The Hon. Chandana Thennekoon JJB AI summary Hon. Chandana Thennekoon supported the President’s second Budget, presenting it as aligned with six policy objectives including inclusive growth, export diversification, debt sustainability, rural poverty eradication, productive economic development, and digitalization. He highlighted allocations for irrigation, small tanks, rural roads, housing, education, and higher education, with particular emphasis on rural development in areas such as Kurunegala District. He also welcomed specific measures to address the human-elephant conflict, including funds for elephant fences, Wildlife Department vehicles and equipment, deployment of Civil Security Department officers, habitat improvements, and research into scientific solutions. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 10 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Dr. Sathiyalingam supported the 2026 Budget’s stabilisation efforts under IMF-backed fiscal management but argued that sustainable development requires equal treatment of all communities and stronger capital investment. He questioned the continued high Defence allocation of Rs. 455 billion sixteen years after the war, while education, agriculture, women and children, and social empowerment receive comparatively low allocations. He urged the release of lands held by state agencies in post-war areas, rehabilitation of tanks, support for SMEs, and targeted investment, port development, and tourism promotion in the Northern Province, including use of Indian assistance for Kankesanthurai Port. He also called for the Clean Sri Lanka programme to address corruption, drugs, racism, and alleged ethnic and language-based discrimination by state departments. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 10 November 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Anushka Thilakarathne, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Anushka Thilakarathne defended the Government’s second Budget, rejecting Opposition claims that it lacks coherence or fails to meet promises, and said it is aligned with the NPP policy declaration, “A Prosperous Country — A Beautiful Life.” She cited the President’s six stated goals, including inclusive growth, export diversification, debt sustainability, rural poverty eradication, and digitization, and highlighted rural road development, education reforms, and anti-corruption claims as evidence of implementation. She also referred to the plantation community’s historical struggles and said the Government had increased plantation workers’ wages by Rs. 1,750, presenting this as part of its commitment to uplift estate workers. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 10 November 2025 Hon. Kanchana Welipitiya JJB AI summary Hon. Kanchana Welipitiya defended the 2026 Budget and the Government’s 2025 expenditure record, arguing that implementation was delayed by local government election restrictions but that substantial work had since begun, including agricultural infrastructure projects and housing in Kegalle. He said the Government had strengthened the Treasury by reducing corruption, delivered the public sector wage increase, and halted the New Year relief pack due to Opposition complaints to the Election Commission. He also clarified that proposed vehicle imports were for state institutions and temporary use by MPs, not permits, and highlighted health-sector plans including upgraded divisional hospitals and expanded local medical coverage. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 10 November 2025 Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe said economic centres currently operate under inconsistent arrangements and noted unresolved audit queries relating to Rs. 1,100 million in government funds. He stated that the Government has begun regularising the centres and proposed a company structure to bring all 18 economic centres under one framework. He rejected claims that the centres were “encircled,” saying only Dambulla had such a situation due to farmers bringing produce, and added that Dambulla and Keppetipola were functioning well, citing current onion and potato prices. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 10 November 2025 Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake warned the Government not to create continuous political crises or act vindictively, saying public anger could be reflected both on the streets and at elections. He argued that Uva and surrounding districts such as Badulla, Nuwara Eliya and Monaragala have long suffered from inadequate roads, electricity and loss of farmland, unlike areas that produced national leaders and influential patrons. He also questioned whether leaders and Ministers from Anuradhapura, Kalutara and Badulla were adequately addressing local grievances, citing anger among onion farmers and urging Ministers to respond fairly to people’s concerns. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 10 November 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe said the Government would continue strengthening the economy during 2026–2028 while reducing the cost of living and supporting farmers. He noted that implementation of the 2025 Budget had been limited to about six months due to late passage and elections, and that pending capital projects were at tender, procurement, or negotiating committee stages, with efforts planned to maximize execution in the next two months. He urged the Opposition to engage substantively in the Budget debate and argued that the Budget was intended to benefit the whole country. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 10 November 2025 The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe argued that Sri Lanka’s development depends on expanding production, particularly through greater investment in agriculture, seed development, and agricultural experimentation. He said he would table supporting details and cited the United States’ progress as an example of the importance of developing improved seeds and related research. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 10 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, the Minister laid before Parliament the 2021 Annual Report of the Sri Lanka National Salt Corporation (National Food Promotion Board) and the 2024 Annual Performance Report of the Department of Export Agriculture. He proposed that the reports be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Sustainable Use of Resources, and the motion was agreed to. Auditor-General's Annual Report and Reports Tabling Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana - Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister defended the 2026 Budget, arguing that criticisms from Opposition members are inconsistent given their long periods in government and their shifting positions on the IMF programme. He said the Government is working according to a one-year plan and a medium-term programme, and suggested that recent measures have made the Opposition politically anxious. He also referred to allegations raised by Hon. Kabir Hashim regarding the non-operational cold storage facility near the Dambulla Economic Centre, framing them as part of Opposition criticism. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 (continued) Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. Lasith Bhashana Gamage JJB AI summary Hon. Lasith Bhashana Gamage defended the 2026 Budget as setting a broader national economic and social vision beyond short-term price measures. He said implementation delays in areas such as Gampaha were due to shortages of technical officers, vehicles and functioning public buildings, and supported Budget proposals for public service recruitment, rehabilitation of facilities, transport provision and digitalization. He also rejected Opposition claims on unspent agriculture funds and rising poverty, stating that concessional loan schemes are being implemented and that World Bank data shows poverty declining from 2024. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. Dewananda Suraweera JJB AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera supported the 2026 Budget, describing it as part of the National People’s Power Government’s mandate following the 2024 elections and as a continuation of a new political culture without misuse of public funds or undue privileges. He argued that the Government inherited a bankrupt economy and damaged systems after decades of mismanagement, and said the 2025 Budget had met its financing targets and received international recognition. He rejected Opposition criticism as unfounded and stated that the 2026 Budget aims to reduce rural poverty, strengthen the economy, improve health, promote environmental sustainability, and develop safe, efficient and sustainable transport, with economic benefits reaching all levels of society. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 Read →
- 8 November 2025 Hon. Vijesiri Basnayake AI summary Hon. Vijesiri Basnayake supported the 2026 Budget, stating that it reflects the Government’s approach to fiscal discipline, revenue-expenditure management, and economic reform. He outlined key pillars including inclusive growth, export diversification, debt sustainability, strengthening domestic production, support for SMEs, rural poverty reduction, and digitalization. He cited economic indicators such as 4.8 percent growth in the first half of 2025, reserves above USD 6 billion, improved ratings outlooks, and plans for trade agreements and integration into global value chains. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister presented written answers on agricultural production and productivity, defining their units of measurement and detailing the 2025 Budget allocation of Rs. 150 million for promoting other food crops. He outlined the crops and regions covered by the programme, including legumes, maize, sesame, finger millet, cashew and several yams, implemented through the Department of Agriculture, Mahaweli Authority and provincial agencies. He also tabled projected production increases for selected grains and yams from 2025 to 2027, noting data limitations for some small-scale crops such as Dioscorea, kiriala and innala. Oral Question: Increase of Production of Grains and Yams - Allocations from Budget 2025 (Q.1467/2025) Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. Chanaka Madugoda) SJB AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka, on behalf of Hon. Chanaka Madugoda, asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation to state the criteria used to measure production and productivity of non-paddy field crops. He also sought details of the 2025 Budget allocation for increasing grain and yam production, the specific crops targeted, and projected production quantities for each in 2025, 2026 and 2027 compared with 2024. Oral Question: Increase of Production of Grains and Yams - Allocations from Budget 2025 (Q.1467/2025) Read →