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- 22 October 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary Minister Sunil Handunnetti responded to a Standing Order 27(2) question on sugar industry sustainability, framing the Government’s approach within the National People’s Power manifesto and its policy of a participatory, productive economy with targeted State intervention. He said Sri Lanka currently produces only brown sugar, with 81,000 metric tonnes produced in 2024 against estimated demand of 120,000 metric tonnes, and that improving cane varieties, agronomic practices and factory upgrades could raise recovery rates above 8 per cent and enable output of about 124,000 metric tonnes. He outlined plans for value addition, partial substitution of brown sugar for white sugar in some uses, and promotion of brown sugar in State institutions, while noting that the country is not expected to meet total national demand for refined white sugar. Ministerial Statements: Poverty Alleviation and Industry Development Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary Oil palm cultivation remains prohibited under Extraordinary Gazette No. 2222/13 of 05.04.2021, so no applications have been made to import seeds. The Minister stated that while certain palm oil imports are restricted under Gazette No. 2312/77 of 01.01.2023, licences are permitted for palm stearin and crude palm olein, with imports costing Rs. 8,067.3 million in 2023 and Rs. 11,079.66 million in 2024. He added that the main obstacle to cultivation is the continuing ban, and that a committee report on a reconsidered Cabinet decision regarding limited cultivation on Regional Plantation Company lands will be submitted for a policy decision. Oral Question: Oil Palm Cultivation and Imports (Q.11/2025) Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. Gayan Janaka (on behalf of the Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama) JJB AI summary On behalf of Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama, Hon. Gayan Janaka asked the Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure whether oil palm cultivation and seed imports are legally prohibited, and what the Government’s policy is on oil palm cultivation and palm oil production. He also sought details on the annual cost of palm oil imports and the obstacles to resuming oil palm cultivation in Sri Lanka. Oral Question: Oil Palm Cultivation and Imports (Q.11/2025) Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne JJB AI summary Hon. Namal Karunaratne said the Government faces practical constraints in purchasing paddy at threshing floors, including a shortage of suitable vehicles and the lack of provisions to accept wet paddy. He stated that paddy must be dried to about 14 percent moisture and that proposals have been called to provide the necessary equipment, with paddy dryers expected to be installed by the next season. He added that Ampara, which produces over 20 percent of national paddy output, would be prioritized based on local conditions. Oral Question: Warehouses of Paddy Marketing Board in Ampara District (Q.8/2025) Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe requested special provision in the 2026 Budget to supply paddy dryers to warehouses in the Ampara District. He said the district frequently experiences flooding, affecting farmers’ ability to dry paddy, and asked whether the Deputy Minister would allocate funds for this purpose. Oral Question: Warehouses of Paddy Marketing Board in Ampara District (Q.8/2025) Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne JJB AI summary Namal Karunaratne stated that 28 warehouses exist in the Ampara District and that farmers delivered paddy to 27 of them during the Yala season. He said the Government has information on the specific warehouse raised by the Member, noting that many warehouses have been temporarily repaired while some require permanent restoration, and undertook to give special attention to the issue. Oral Question: Warehouses of Paddy Marketing Board in Ampara District (Q.8/2025) Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe asked about the condition and future use of Paddy Marketing Board facilities in Ampara District that were damaged or neglected due to the war. He specifically referred to a former large-scale rice mill on State land in Navithanveli, once economically significant, and asked whether steps would be taken to re-establish it on the remaining land and whether it is included among the 28 warehouses identified by the Deputy Minister. Oral Question: Warehouses of Paddy Marketing Board in Ampara District (Q.8/2025) Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne JJB AI summary Namal Karunaratne stated that when the Government assumed responsibility for the paddy stores, purchases had stopped and facilities were damaged, with stores affected by wildlife and rice mill machinery and drying-yard fittings removed or sold as scrap. He said the Government is restoring the stores and related operations, and is planning to install paddy dryers where possible in the future. Oral Question: Warehouses of Paddy Marketing Board in Ampara District (Q.8/2025) Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne, responding on behalf of the Minister, provided data on paddy cultivation and Paddy Marketing Board activity in Ampara District. He stated that the district has 98,531.3769 hectares of paddy land, with Yala harvests rising from 232,709 metric tons in 2024 to 265,774 metric tons in 2025, while PMB purchases increased from 119.6 metric tons to 23,660 metric tons. He also listed 28 PMB warehouses in the district and confirmed that none is equipped with paddy dryer machines. Oral Question: Warehouses of Paddy Marketing Board in Ampara District (Q.8/2025) Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation to provide detailed information on paddy cultivation and state purchasing in the Ampara District. He requested figures on total paddy land, Yala harvests for 2024 and 2025, quantities bought by the Paddy Marketing Board, the number and addresses of PMB warehouses, and which of them have paddy dryer machines. Oral Question: Warehouses of Paddy Marketing Board in Ampara District (Q.8/2025) Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Anton Jayakody - Deputy Minister of Environment JJB AI summary Hon. Anton Jayakody supported Hon. Hector Appuhamy’s motion on climate change, outlining its links to greenhouse gas emissions, hydrological disruption, reduced hydropower, agricultural losses, deforestation, human-elephant conflict, and pressures on fisheries and tourism. He stated that Sri Lanka is pursuing Paris-aligned goals including 32% forest cover, 70% renewable energy, cleaner production, and earlier net-zero ambitions, with plans to reduce 116 million metric tons of CO2 from 2026 to 2035. He highlighted measures such as declaring 30 new reserves, conserving aquifers and montane forests, removing invasive species, finalizing the Climate Prosperity Plan, and seeking increased grant funding. On carbon markets and a proposed climate finance bank, he said national policy must be carefully designed and that, for now, climate finance could be channelled through the Treasury unless sufficient grant funding supports a dedicated institution. Adjournment Motion: Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha - Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary The Minister said the Government has set Yala 2025 minimum paddy purchase prices based on district-wise production costs plus a 30 per cent margin, with the Paddy Marketing Board and private buyers purchasing through supervised mechanisms to secure fair farmer prices while keeping rice affordable. He reported that the PMB had procured 48,705.984 metric tons by 17 September 2025 and said rice imports remain controlled by permit, with imports considered only on Food Policy and Security Committee recommendation and Cabinet approval if shortages or unaffordable prices arise. He addressed varietal pricing, fertilizer availability, yield trends and production costs, arguing that reduced fertilizer prices have lowered cultivation costs and that current minimum prices provide farmers a margin above cost. He added that consumer protection measures, price controls, Lak Sathosa sales, cooperative channels and improved cultivation practices are being used to stabilize the rice market and meet the national annual requirement of about 4.8 million metric tons. Ministerial Statement: Fair Prices for Paddy Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne JJB AI summary Hon. Namal Karunaratne said the Government is moving toward cultivation planning based on domestic demand and resource requirements, while seeking higher yields from smaller land areas to reduce production costs. He stated that increased output must be matched with value addition, agro-processing, preservation, and by-product development, through a coordinated programme involving the Ministries of Agriculture, Trade, Finance, Science and Technology, and Industries. He said the objective is to lower farmer costs, provide consumers with quality goods at lower prices, ensure fair prices for farmers, and support all actors in the agricultural supply chain. Oral Question 7: Safeguard of Interests of Farmers, Traders and Consumers Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody JJB AI summary Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody asked whether the Government could implement demand-based crop planning to address production volatility in agriculture. He noted that when farmers shift en masse to a profitable crop in the following season, oversupply can result in gluts and price crashes. Oral Question 7: Safeguard of Interests of Farmers, Traders and Consumers Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne JJB AI summary Hon. Namal Karunaratne said farmer market problems cannot be resolved all at once and require time, as the President had noted at the “Sahal Mangalyaya.” He stated that the Government has already responded to paddy farmers and is intervening in the procurement of groundnuts, big onions, potatoes, and manioc, with private sector participation where relevant. He added that the Government is addressing these issues sequentially, including through value addition and coordination with other ministries. Oral Question 7: Safeguard of Interests of Farmers, Traders and Consumers Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody JJB AI summary Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody raised a supplementary question on sharp agricultural price volatility, citing green chilli prices falling from about Rs. 1,400 to Rs. 80 per kilogram within months. He asked whether a mechanism exists to stabilize prices in a way that protects both consumers during price increases and farmers during price declines. Oral Question 7: Safeguard of Interests of Farmers, Traders and Consumers Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne JJB AI summary Namal Karunaratne stated that measures will be taken to promote value chains that reduce post-harvest losses. He said the necessary facilities would be provided and related networks strengthened to support this objective. Oral Question 7: Safeguard of Interests of Farmers, Traders and Consumers Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne JJB AI summary Farmers’ living conditions and profitability were acknowledged as priorities in a reply on behalf of the Agriculture Minister, citing 2023/24 Maha cost-of-production and net-profit data for paddy, potato, onions and chillies. The reply stated that recent food prices had stabilized after sharp increases during the economic crisis, with detailed CPI data tabled in the Library. It also noted that market intermediaries provide logistics and employment but said the Ministry is implementing measures to improve productivity, seeds, technology, cooperatives, cold storage, packing centres, infrastructure and lower-intermediary marketing channels. Oral Question 7: Safeguard of Interests of Farmers, Traders and Consumers Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody JJB AI summary Ruwanthilaka Jayakody asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation whether the Government accepts that farmers face high production costs and inadequate returns, while consumers pay high prices and intermediaries earn excessive profits. He sought confirmation that the existing marketing system should be changed and asked whether a policy or course of action will be formulated to protect the interests of farmers, traders and consumers. Oral Question 7: Safeguard of Interests of Farmers, Traders and Consumers Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB AI summary Namal Karunaratne stated that the Government had already begun the relevant work and rejected the suggestion that it was deflecting responsibility. The exchange concluded with the question being put and agreed to. Private Members' Motion P.47/2025: Insurance Scheme for Farming Community Read →