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- 20 May 2026 The Hon. Aravinda Senarath - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary In response to Question No. 643/2025, the Deputy Minister stated that 11.53 hectares of black gram were cultivated by 4,828 farmers in the Mahaweli “H” Zone during the 2025/26 Maha season, while cultivation for the 2026 Yala season had not yet begun. He said no issue arose regarding the sale of produce at a fair price during that season, making related follow-up questions not applicable. Procedural: Motions and Privilege Matter Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. Ajith Gihan JJB AI summary Ajith Gihan asked the Deputy Minister what action is being taken regarding alleged fraud, corruption, and mismanagement that left the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation heavily indebted and weakened before the current Government took office on 24 September 2024. He emphasized the Corporation’s role in ensuring fair prices for fishers and consumers, operating outlets, and supporting exports, while questioning whether legal measures would be pursued against those responsible under previous governments. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1-Q.7) Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. Aravinda Senarath JJB AI summary Aravinda Senarath stated that fertilizer shortages affecting the Yala season were caused by global wartime disruptions and export restrictions, not domestic policy. He said the Government had agreed on a programme with fertilizer companies, officials and farmer leaders to supply 65% of requirements through the Department of Agrarian Development and 35% through open-market company outlets. He acknowledged delays and distribution shortcomings, including in Polonnaruwa, but said priority-based distribution and an increased subsidy were being implemented to ensure fair access for farmers. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1-Q.7) Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Kins Nelson raised concerns that farmers had not yet received the promised fertilizer subsidy of Rs. 30,000 per hectare for the Yala season, despite water being released for paddy cultivation on 20 April. He said farmers had also paid through farmer organizations for two and a half bags of urea, which had not been delivered, and questioned the failure to provide the previously promised five bags per hectare. He urged the Deputy Minister to intervene immediately and asked whether the fertilizer already paid for would be supplied to farmers without further delay. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1-Q.7) Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. Aravinda Senarath - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister said Sri Lanka has not met its domestic black gram requirement and that plans are being prepared with the Ministry of Agriculture to support increased cultivation. He stated that farmers cultivating encroached lands may be regularized under a planned programme, with the Mahaweli Authority studying suitable areas and extents for formal land grants. He noted that past land alienation had often been influenced by political patronage rather than national objectives. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1-Q.7) Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Hon. Kins Nelson raised a supplementary question on black gram cultivation, noting that national demand is about 25,000 metric tons, with imports accounting for 15 to 25 per cent. He asked whether the Government would prioritise allocating secure land and providing fertilizer, including the fertilizer subsidy, to farmers currently cultivating on encroached lands in order to reduce imports. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1-Q.7) Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha - Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary Minister K.D. Lal Kantha provided detailed data on Mahaweli Authority land distribution, stating that 304,290 acres have been alienated to 45,417 beneficiary families without clear title deeds, and that 10,995 acres remain unutilized for efficient economic activity. He said reallocations and action against irregular acquisitions are handled under relevant land laws with approvals from land-use, environmental, wildlife, forest, archaeology, industry and energy authorities, while a digital “e-SLIM Mahaweli” system is used to manage land records and issue permits and deeds. He also stated that long-term occupants may be granted ownership through legal mechanisms such as Land Kachcheri, and presented annual gross economic values from Mahaweli-related paddy, other crops, fisheries and hydropower, rising to Rs. 305,975 million in 2024. Written Answers to Questions Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. Sunil Biyanwila JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Biyanwila supported the motion, noting that several districts, including Matale, have been badly affected by the wildlife-related hazard, with severe impacts on perennial crops such as coconut. He said past ad hoc responses were insufficient and called for a coordinated plan involving the Wildlife Department and other stakeholders, while identifying shortages of vehicles, staff, and night-time response capacity as obstacles. He stated that district-level planning has begun under the Minister’s leadership and that efforts are under way to improve rapid interventions, strengthen fences, and reduce harm to farmers and the public within the year. Adjournment Motion: Sustainable Solution for Human-Elephant Conflict Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir supported the Adjournment Motion on the human-elephant conflict, linking it to the need to protect domestic agricultural production during the economic crisis. He said forest clearing and resettlement in parts of Ampara District have pushed elephants into coastal DS divisions, causing damage to lives, crops and property. He criticised the effectiveness and conduct of some officials assigned to elephant control and urged the Government and relevant Ministers to take serious action, noting that farmers are personally paying large sums for guards and fencing. Adjournment Motion: Sustainable Solution for Human-Elephant Conflict Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Hon. Kins Nelson seconded a motion by Hon. Rohini Kavirathna and, while marking 17 years since the end of the war, thanked war heroes and wartime state leaders. He highlighted the continuing human-elephant conflict, citing 35 human and 117 elephant deaths nationally from January to April 2026, including 7 human and 22 elephant deaths in Polonnaruwa, and attributed the problem partly to ineffective fencing, habitat loss from land allocations, and livestock inside Maduru Oya National Park. He urged better maintenance of electric fences, payment of overdue allowances and provision of facilities to Civil Security Department personnel attached to Wildlife, faster vehicle procurement, and stronger operational support for the Department of Wildlife. He also proposed that farmer organizations identify households needing secure paddy storage containers during harvest seasons to reduce elephant raids on homes. Adjournment Motion: Sustainable Solution for Human-Elephant Conflict Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna moved an Adjournment Motion calling for a sustainable, scientific solution to the human-elephant conflict, citing recent deaths in Wilgamuwa and data from Matale showing 14 elephant deaths, 12 human deaths, and 50 property damage incidents in 2025-2026. She said compensation payments are delayed, around 100 GN divisions in Matale face elephant threats, and existing mitigation measures such as electric fences suffer from poor design, maintenance, and regulation. She proposed a proper land-use plan, improved fence standards, stronger Wildlife Department infrastructure, vehicles, staffing and supplies, and tabled expert recommendations for consideration under a broader institutional framework with state oversight. Adjournment Motion: Sustainable Solution for Human-Elephant Conflict Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir criticized the Finance Ministry’s tax proposals, arguing that bringing small traders and fuel station operators into the tax net effectively passes indirect taxes on to ordinary consumers while the Government later presents subsidies as benefits. He requested relief for local distributors, particularly fuel station operators facing reduced margins and lower sales under QR rationing despite higher turnover values caused by price increases. He also warned against policies aimed at conserving dollar reserves if they restrict essential inputs, citing past fertilizer import limits, and raised concerns that farmers in Ampara lack timely fertilizer and cannot sell stored paddy at viable prices. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister noted that the debate concerned amendments to the Inland Revenue Act, while also referring to forthcoming import and export control regulations, including on rice imports. He outlined Government action on paddy procurement and rice market supply, stating that the Paddy Marketing Board holds about 135,000 MT, with stocks being milled through CWE and released via Sathosa, cooperatives and private channels, and further Cabinet approval sought to mill an additional 45,000 MT before the next harvest in key regions. He also referred to war commemoration events, housing allocations for war-displaced people in the North and East, and said the Government is pursuing anti-corruption measures and improved tax compliance, claiming revenue rose significantly by end-2025 without new taxes. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe supported the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill contextually while using the debate to highlight economic and agricultural issues in the Eastern Province, especially Ampara District’s role in national paddy production. He urged the Government to complete drainage projects, modernize agriculture, fisheries and dairy production, and address fertilizer shortages, stating that Ampara farmers had paid Rs. 6.3 billion but still lacked 8,194 MT of the required allocation. He also requested the Ministry of Finance to provide special funds to transport or mill around 50,000 MT of paddy held in Paddy Marketing Board warehouses before the next harvest to prevent losses to farmers. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Namal Rajapaksa marked the 17th anniversary of the end of the war, arguing that the conflict was against the LTTE and calling for recognition of the sacrifices of security forces and civilians. He criticized the Government’s tax policy, particularly threats of imprisonment for not obtaining a TIN, and linked currency pressure to increased fuel-based power generation following alleged coal procurement failures. He also alleged failures in safeguarding public funds, citing missing or misdirected funds in banks, the RDA, SriLankan Airlines, the Treasury and local administration. He urged the Government to address fertilizer shortages and present a plan for affordable fertilizer for paddy, tea, spices and vegetables in the coming seasons, citing wider food and energy security concerns. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran criticized the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill on the grounds that higher taxes would increase prices and disproportionately burden poor households, small industries and SMEs. He urged the Government to focus instead on domestic production, investment promotion, export expansion and foreign exchange earnings as sustainable economic measures. He also called for further wage increases, protection against rising fuel and commodity prices, and support for farmers and fisherfolk, including affordable fertilizer and a guaranteed price for paddy. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. Aravinda Senarath - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister, responding on behalf of the Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Minister, provided details on the Irrigation Training Institute in Galgamuwa, established on 1 January 1959 on a 16-acre site with 36 buildings and 31 current staff. He stated that the institute trains technical and other irrigation staff, conducts induction and in-service courses, Efficiency Bar Examinations, water management and field training, and survey camps, with 1,260 trainees having completed the Engineering Assistant Diploma since the first 35-student intake in 1959. He noted that the most recent diploma intake was in 2014 and that training functions are also linked to the Kotmale International Irrigation and Water Management Training Institute. Oral Questions: Department of Wildlife Conservation and Other Questions Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne, Attorney-at-Law NDF AI summary Anuradha Jayaratne raised practical difficulties faced by persons whose houses were fully damaged, noting that delays in land identification, NBRI reports, and Divisional Secretary certification can cause sellers to withdraw or sell land elsewhere before the Rs. 5 million assistance is released. He asked the Government to create a process to resolve this issue, particularly in Gampola in relation to “Ditwah.” He also questioned the adequacy of disaster preparedness, citing concerns about the Mahaweli Authority’s awareness of cyclone warnings, and requested that officials be properly directed with a structured plan and empowered team to manage risks affecting reservoirs, drinking water, and agriculture. Oral Questions: Department of Wildlife Conservation and Other Questions Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Rohana Bandara questioned the Government’s response to the continuing human-elephant conflict, citing recent deaths and delays in second-stage compensation payments despite prompt initial payments by Divisional Secretariats. He challenged Ministers who had previously promised scientific solutions while in Opposition to explain why such measures had not been implemented after one and a half years in office, and asked whether the Government had practical alternatives beyond expecting people to coexist with elephants. Oral Questions: Department of Wildlife Conservation and Other Questions Read →
- 8 May 2026 The Hon. Ravindra Bandara AI summary Hon. Ravindra Bandara supported the motion on addressing problematic tree species, urging rigorous scientific research into their impacts on water resources in the central highlands, Uva and Sabaragamuwa. He called for scientific, community-based removal and restoration with indigenous biodiversity, warning against replacing such areas with eucalyptus or pine and against the use of burning. Citing pine plantations around Haldummulla and reduced dry-season flows at Bambarakanda and other waterfalls, he said restoration was necessary for environmental protection and future generations. Debate: Private Members' Motion P.50/2025 - Formulating a Methodology to Prevent Damage Caused by Pine Plantations to Water Sources Read →