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- 12 September 2025 The Hon. Ajith Gihan JJB AI summary Hon. Ajith Gihan raised concerns that waste from a project had reached the coastal area, affecting fisherfolk and salt production and causing public opposition in the District. He questioned how this occurred if the Central and Provincial Environmental Authorities had properly performed their duties, and asked for assurances that such problems would not recur so the project would not fail again. Oral Question: Wanawasala and Aruwakkalu Waste Projects Current Status (Q.10/2025) Read →
- 12 September 2025 The Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana JJB AI summary Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana stated that the Ministry had reviewed 18 economic centres and identified deficiencies including poor access roads, limited public accessibility, lack of shelter for produce, and inadequate basic amenities for traders and transporters. He said plans had been prepared to address these issues through allocated funds and international assistance, including cold rooms at Thambuththegama, Dambulla and Keppetipola, canopies to protect produce from rain, and improvements to external facilities and access roads. Oral Question: Economic Centres Details (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 12 September 2025 The Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana JJB AI summary Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana said co-operative powers are devolved to the Provinces under the Thirteenth Amendment, with rural banks operating through provincial co-operative societies under Provincial Co-operative Development Commissioners. He stated that the Central Government is examining the extent to which it can intervene in rural bank functions and may act on the proposal if such authority is confirmed. He added that the Central Department of Co-operative Development is working to strengthen production by establishing 1,000 production-oriented co-operative societies. Oral Question: Co-operative Development Functions (Q.4/2025) Read →
- 12 September 2025 Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana - Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that Co-operative Rural Banks fall under Provincial Council responsibility under the 13th Amendment, with provincial co-operative authorities handling audits, inspections, investigations, corrective action, and supervision. He noted that a national regulatory committee was established by Cabinet in 2013 to guide provinces, and a 2025 Cabinet-appointed committee will recommend reforms to the co-operative network, including CRBs. He acknowledged audit delays and inadequacies had delayed fraud detection and contributed to financial misconduct in some cases, and said provinces have been instructed to update annual audits and strengthen supervision. Oral Question: Co-operative Development Functions (Q.4/2025) Read →
- 12 September 2025 Hon. Rathna Gamage - Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary Hon. Rathna Gamage said the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation had inherited liabilities of about Rs. 1,600–1,700 million, including dues to suppliers and unpaid EPF/ETF, but was now being stabilized and had recorded small profits in July and by 31 August 2025. He stated that the Government had sought two years of Treasury support to make the Corporation sustainably profitable by 2028 and rejected reports that it would be closed. He also announced plans to introduce a pension scheme for the fishing community on International Fisheries Day, 21 November. Oral Question: Ceylon Fisheries Corporation Fish Purchases (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 12 September 2025 Hon. Rathna Gamage - Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary Hon. Rathna Gamage said CFC purchases remain about 1% of the national fish harvest and acknowledged this as inadequate, noting a five-year plan to raise the share to around 4% by 2029. He said the Ministry is reviewing previous cold-room lease agreements with the Attorney-General’s Department and seeking private investment to expand cold storage at fishery harbours. He also stated that a mother-vessel support system has been launched to reduce fuel costs and improve collection efficiency. Oral Question: Ceylon Fisheries Corporation Fish Purchases (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 12 September 2025 Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy asked what comprehensive State programme exists to support fishermen beyond CFC’s limited fish purchasing, particularly to improve offshore yield, protect breeding seasons, promote sustainable harvesting, and help fishers capture more value. He highlighted high input costs for small-scale fishers and the lapse of previous support schemes, seeking details on concrete technology and productivity support measures. Oral Question: Ceylon Fisheries Corporation Fish Purchases (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 12 September 2025 Hon. Rathna Gamage - Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Rathna Gamage provided figures on Ceylon Fisheries Corporation purchases from 2016 to July 2025, totalling 42,256 metric tons, noting that 2015 records were unavailable and that CFC purchases amounted to about 1 per cent of the national fish harvest annually. He acknowledged that CFC’s market intervention is insufficient and outlined measures including new retail outlets, cooperation with Sathosa, wholesale centres, expanded and rehabilitated cold storage, and increased supply to public institutions. He also said a “mother vessel” model is being introduced to reduce fuel costs and improve logistics for multi-day fishing boats. Oral Question: Ceylon Fisheries Corporation Fish Purchases (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 12 September 2025 Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy asked the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources for year-by-year data from 2015 to date on the quantity of fish purchased by the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation and its share of Sri Lanka’s total fish harvest. He also sought an admission on whether the CFC’s market intervention is insufficient to purchase fish and stabilize prices, and requested details of corrective measures if so. Oral Question: Ceylon Fisheries Corporation Fish Purchases (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that the issues raised in Hon. Ravi Karunanayake’s 27(2) Question and the adjournment debate concerned the same matters: paddy production, fertilizer, and rice supply. He said those points had already been addressed in the debate and that he would provide the formal answer to the 27(2) Question the following day. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake questioned the Government’s handling of the paddy and rice market, arguing that the minimum guaranteed price had not been fully implemented and that farmers were exposed to private traders while consumers continued to face high rice prices. Citing a reported 2025 Maha harvest of about 2.6 million metric tons, he asked why imports were being considered, why storage facilities and price regulation were not being used effectively, and why fertilizer shortages and high cultivation costs remained unresolved. He demanded details on rice imports, duties and future import plans, and asked what immediate measures would protect farmers, reduce consumer prices and safeguard food security. Questions under Standing Order 27(2) and Ministerial Statements Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake stated that the measure was intended to provide a minimum guaranteed price while ensuring rice remained affordable for consumers. Questions under Standing Order 27(2) and Ministerial Statements Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake, raising a question under Standing Order 27(2), stated that national well-being depends on both farmers and consumers. He referred to the Government’s undertaking to ensure fairness for farmers, including through a minimum price, framing the issue as a matter of balancing producer and consumer interests. Questions under Standing Order 27(2) and Ministerial Statements Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe outlined Government measures to support paddy purchasing and milling, stating that Rs. 6,528 million in loans had been approved for 244 mill owners, with 58 percent disbursed, and that Rs. 8 billion had been provided to the Paddy Marketing Board. He said the Government had set graded paddy prices, including Rs. 120 per kilogram for properly dried paddy, to prevent farmers being exploited by lower open-market prices, and would table harvest and purchase data for Members. He also referred to PMB purchase volumes in recent years, its outstanding bank debt of about Rs. 29.25 billion, and measures to bring non-performing and sealed mills back into the process, while rejecting Opposition allegations about the programme. Adjournment Debate: Fair Guaranteed Price for Paddy Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister rejected the Opposition’s Motion alleging inadequate paddy prices, insufficient purchasing, and delayed fertilizer, stating that only about 54 percent of the Yala harvest had been completed and the season was still ongoing. He said Yala cultivation had increased by about 80,000 hectares, with expected production exceeding 2.3 million metric tons, supported by fertilizer assistance and Rs. 21 billion already disbursed for the season. He also stated that credit had been provided to millers, including small and medium operators, and that the Government would continue rehabilitating stores, expanding dryers, and stabilizing market prices for farmers and consumers. Adjournment Debate: Fair Guaranteed Price for Paddy Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka SJB AI summary Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka criticized the Government for continuing to blame predecessors after a year in office and argued that its manifesto promise of a “contented farming life” has not been met. He said import timing for crops such as onions and potatoes undermines local farmers, and cited inconsistent official statements on paddy production costs, tabling National Farmers Union estimates ranging around Rs. 105–115 per kg. He questioned the adequacy of the Paddy Marketing Board’s 46,000 MT stock against a projected 2.4 million MT Yala 2024 output and said many medium millers cannot access the cited Rs. 5 billion credit line due to bank blacklisting. He called for a more effective mechanism to ensure the Yala harvest is purchased fairly, warning that farmers would be mobilized if the issue is neglected. Adjournment Debate: Fair Guaranteed Price for Paddy Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB AI summary Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna said Government paddy purchasing in the Yala season is not yet ideal, but attributed constraints to an inherited weak treasury and Paddy Marketing Board capacity, citing over 45,000 MT purchased despite limited usable stores and staffing shortages. He highlighted Rs. 78,000 million allocated for irrigation, resumed canal and tank rehabilitation, planned provision of dryers, and phased measures on human-elephant conflict. He also stated that the Government aims to reduce production costs through land-use rationalization, technology and labour-saving practices, while allocating about Rs. 20,000 million for Maha fertilizer support and moving toward timely supply of quality fertilizers. Adjournment Debate: Fair Guaranteed Price for Paddy Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth raised longstanding land grievances in Ampara arising from displacement and subsequent gazetting of traditional cultivated lands as State or Forest lands, citing specific areas in Pottuvil and Lahugala that had been identified for release. He requested review and release of affected paddy lands, including Palliyadivattai, and implementation of the 2023 decision to distribute 502 acres in the Grangowai area to people of Lahugala and Pottuvil. He also urged expedited implementation of the Heda Oya project, noting prior allocations and its potential to support irrigation over about 14,000 acres and drinking water for more than 10,000 families. He concluded by acknowledging recent support for health services, industry promotion and local administration in the area. Adjournment Debate: Fair Guaranteed Price for Paddy Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister rejected claims that the Government had not engaged with farmers, citing the Rs. 120 per kilogram paddy minimum price, activation of Paddy Marketing Board procurement, and the increase in fertilizer support from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 25,000. He said the PMB had been revived from a poor operational and financial position through reopening and repairing stores, using alternative storage and staff arrangements, and providing security where needed, though some wet paddy had sold below the target price. He stated that these measures helped prevent a collapse in farmgate prices and that further steps would include adding dryers, improving storage technology, introducing updated rice cultivation packages, addressing fertilizer payment issues, and exploring government-to-government fertilizer procurement with China. Adjournment Debate: Fair Guaranteed Price for Paddy Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Hon. Kins Nelson questioned whether the Paddy Marketing Board had received adequate paddy under the Yala guaranteed prices, noting that only about 3,667 MT had reached PMB depots in Polonnaruwa and alleging that farmers were effectively forced to sell to private buyers. He argued that current production costs in Polonnaruwa are far above official estimates and that a fair procurement price for paddy would be around Rs. 170 per kilogram, citing increases in harvesting, fuel, and other costs despite lower urea prices. He called for timely inputs and water, special state bank credit to reduce farmers’ dependence on moneylenders, and measures to restore farmer confidence ahead of the Maha purchase, while also highlighting the added burden of human-elephant conflict. Adjournment Debate: Fair Guaranteed Price for Paddy Read →