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 August 2025 Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake presented the 2020 Performance Report of the Department of Agrarian Development on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation. He moved that the report be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Sustainable Use of Resources, and the motion was agreed to. Papers Presented Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. T. B. Sarath - Deputy Minister of Housing JJB AI summary Hon. T. B. Sarath supported amendments under the Construction Industry Development Act to reduce contractor renewal fees from Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 5,000 and raise grading financial limits, including increasing the CS2 ceiling to Rs. 6,000 million, saying these measures respond to contractor demands and support the sector’s recovery. He also defended government policy on paddy procurement, stating that the Paddy Marketing Board is buying at 142 locations at about Rs. 120 per kg, with fertilizer subsidies increased and production costs reduced. Responding to Opposition criticisms on taxes and vehicle prices, he argued that revenue collection is being directed to public infrastructure and housing, and that higher vehicle prices reflect the exchange-rate depreciation after the economic crisis. Debate: Customs Ordinance, Excise Regulation, Finance Act Order, and Construction Industry Development Act (Continued) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. R. G. Wijerathna JJB AI summary Hon. R. G. Wijerathna supported the regulations and orders under debate, arguing that the Government has increased public revenue by enforcing laws, reassessing assets, and regularizing previously under-assessed or unpaid use of state property. He cited examples from Hagguranketha and Rikillagaskada, including a quarry whose annual revenue rose after valuation and auction, arrears from leased state-land shops, and action to recover dues or pursue legal remedies involving Samurdhi-related property and other premises. He also said benefits are being distributed through public mechanisms, such as providing agricultural machinery via the Agrarian Service Centre and coordinating fodder production for dairy development on underused lands. Debate: Customs Ordinance, Excise Regulation, Finance Act Order, and Construction Industry Development Act (Continued) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. Padmasiri Bandara JJB AI summary Hon. Padmasiri Bandara defended the Government’s handling of paddy purchasing in Polonnaruwa, stating that district collection centres had opened, only dry paddy was being bought, and more than 26,000 metric tonnes had already been purchased in the Yala season. Speaking during debate on Orders under the Finance Act and the Construction Industry Development Act, he argued that the construction sector was being revived through housing, public building and road projects, with fairer access to contracts and reduced CIDA registration renewal fees. He said past political interference, contract capture and misuse of community-based organisations were being ended, and maintained that taxes and the Rs. 10,200 million Budget allocation for Polonnaruwa were being directed to public development and rural livelihoods. Debate: Customs Ordinance, Excise Regulation, Finance Act Order, and Construction Industry Development Act (Continued) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka SJB AI summary The Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka addressed the Customs Ordinance Resolution, welcoming the reopening of vehicle imports but criticizing high vehicle taxation and arguing that promised relief for public servants and middle-income earners had not materialized. He questioned the government’s claim of improved cash reserves, saying revenue growth relied mainly on indirect taxes that burden low-income households, and asked why promised relief measures, including a Rs. 5,000 goods pack for poor families, were not implemented after the election. He also raised concerns about farmers’ difficulties in selling paddy, debt burdens, price-setting decisions, and the government’s handling of negotiations with large millers, urging the government to honour its commitments. Debate: Customs Ordinance, Excise Regulation, Finance Act Order, and Construction Industry Development Act (Continued) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary As of 13 August 2025, 16,000 metric tons had been recorded for purchases in the 2025 Yala season, with the possibility of further increases after that date. A document containing purchase details up to that date was tabled and placed in the Library. Debate: Customs Ordinance, Excise Regulation, Finance Act Order, and Construction Industry Development Act (Continued) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB AI summary Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna raised a point of order challenging Hon. Nalin Bandara’s claim that only 16,000 MT of paddy had been purchased. He stated that the latest report showed purchases exceeding 25,000 MT through more than 140 buying points nationwide, and said previously damaged stores were being rehabilitated. He requested that inaccurate information not be presented under parliamentary privilege. Debate: Customs Ordinance, Excise Regulation, Finance Act Order, and Construction Industry Development Act (Continued) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha criticized the current vehicle import duty structure, saying small cars have become unaffordable for lower middle-income workers despite prior political promises, and urged tax reforms to make vehicles accessible. He called for a more flexible response to postal workers’ trade union action and highlighted salary and retention problems at the Road Development Authority, proposing legal empowerment for the RDA to generate revenue. He also alleged failures in the Government’s paddy procurement programme, citing low Paddy Marketing Board purchases and a wide gap between farmgate paddy prices and controlled rice prices that benefits large millers. Additionally, he questioned the proposed use of BOI land in Mirigama for cannabis cultivation, arguing such scarce industrial land near Colombo should be reserved for export processing and investment activities. Debate: Customs Ordinance, Excise Regulation, Finance Act Order, and Construction Industry Development Act (Continued) Read →
- 20 August 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB AI summary K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna moved the Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill for Second Reading, after which Parliament agreed to refer it to a Committee of the whole Parliament. The Bill was considered clause by clause, reported without amendment, and then passed at Third Reading, with authority granted to correct linguistic, typographical, grammatical, numerical, and consequential errors. Second Reading Passed: Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill and Sports Regulations Read →
- 20 August 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka highlighted the decline of Sri Lanka’s rubber sector, citing reduced cultivated extent, falling exports, leaf disease, labour shortages, low wages, estate subdivision, and rising production costs, and urged government action to reduce costs, stabilize prices, and improve export earnings. He also raised concerns in the Galle tea industry, including inadequate green leaf supply, delayed and costly fertilizer distribution, weak replanting, and the continuing impact of the previous chemical fertilizer ban, proposing private-sector fertilizer distribution and a subsistence allowance for smallholders during replanting. He further noted a price decline and rising input and labour costs in the cinnamon sector in Galle District, while referring to earlier institutional measures taken to support the industry. Debate: Samurdhi (Amendment) Bill, Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill, Sports Law Regulations, and Judicature Act Rules Read →
- 20 August 2025 Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka supported the instruments under debate, including State audit of Samurdhi/Community Banks, empowering Mediation Board mediators as Peace Justices, and regulations requiring sports bodies to meet qualification, reporting, and activity standards. He said the Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill would mainly replace the “Rubber Controller” with a “Director-General” to reduce legal obstacles, particularly in court processes. He also recalled Sri Lanka’s long history in rubber cultivation, research, and trade, including the Rubber–Rice Pact with China, and urged that this legacy be used to revitalize the rubber sector. Debate: Samurdhi (Amendment) Bill, Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill, Sports Law Regulations, and Judicature Act Rules Read →
- 20 August 2025 Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna said the Labour Minister and officials had discussed increasing plantation workers’ wages in line with the President’s Budget commitment, targeting Rs. 1,700. He noted that discussions with plantation companies were ongoing, with some citing constraints and others indicating possible increases, and that a collective agreement was needed. He called for support in finding a mechanism or new model that raises wages while sustaining plantation businesses and employment. Debate: Samurdhi (Amendment) Bill, Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill, Sports Law Regulations, and Judicature Act Rules Read →
- 20 August 2025 Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary Minister K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna said the Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill would update the 1956 Act by replacing references to the Rubber Controller and related bodies and funds with the current Director-General and Department of Rubber Development structure. He outlined plans to rehabilitate neglected rubber and coconut lands, expand rubber cultivation to new districts, meet sustainability certification requirements including EUDR-related standards, improve research, disease control, worker training and inputs, and target rubber exports of USD 2 billion by 2030. He also described fertilizer subsidy measures for tea and coconut, the use of a Russian fertilizer grant, a target of USD 1.5 billion in coconut exports by 2030, and the launch of a Northern Coconut Triangle programme covering 16,000 acres. He said the Government would rely on expert advisory groups and invited constructive proposals from the Opposition. Debate: Samurdhi (Amendment) Bill, Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill, Sports Law Regulations, and Judicature Act Rules Read →
- 20 August 2025 The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP AI summary Welcoming the audit provisions for Samurdhi Community-Based Bank and Union accounts, Chanaka Madugoda called for modernising Samurdhi banks, addressing staffing shortages, and working closely with Samurdhi Development Officers. He argued that the Aswesuma selection process has excluded some genuinely needy households and proposed allowing Divisional Secretaries to recommend and decide on overlooked cases under clear guidelines. He also urged mechanisms to ensure community access to school playgrounds, provide financial assistance for poor students selected for overseas sports tours, and address employment uncertainty affecting former contract staff recruited by the Land Reforms Commission between 2020 and 2023. Debate: Samurdhi (Amendment) Bill, Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill, Sports Law Regulations, and Judicature Act Rules Read →
- 20 August 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB AI summary On behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, the Deputy Minister tabled a written answer detailing LRC lands in Galle District allocated for industrial purposes as at 20 August 2025, including rubber, garment, livestock, vehicle-spare-parts, fertilizer, tea, footwear and industrial estate projects. The answer stated that all listed projects are operational except the Bettans Group footwear manufacturing enterprise. It explained that the Bettans land had been taken back for use as a Covid Centre, causing possession issues, and that arrangements have since been made to re-transfer possession to the applicant. Procedural Item: Speaker Directions and Questions Stood Down Read →
- 20 August 2025 The Hon. Nishantha Perera JJB AI summary Nishantha Perera asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation for details on Land Reform Commission lands in the Galle District allocated for industrial use. He requested a breakdown by Divisional Secretary’s Division of the recipients, relevant industries, which are currently operational or inactive, and whether action will be taken regarding lands allocated to non-operational industries. Procedural Item: Speaker Directions and Questions Stood Down Read →
- 19 August 2025 The Hon. Arkam Ilyas JJB AI summary Seconding the Motion, the Hon. Arkam Ilyas highlighted high youth unemployment, outward labour migration, and resulting shortages of skilled workers for major development projects. He referred to two Cabinet-approved measures: low-interest loans at 4 per cent for 50,000 young people in agriculture, and housing grants of up to Rs. 1 million for eligible youth leaving institutions. He urged youth participation in national development under the Government’s programme to address unemployment and strengthen the rule of law. Adjournment Motion: Youth Engagement for Sustainable Development Goals Read →
- 19 August 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary Sathosa is procuring paddy despite lacking functioning mills, using accredited suppliers for milling and selling rice at controlled prices, with allocations of Rs. 10 billion to the Paddy Marketing Board and Rs. 5 billion to Sathosa to expand purchases. He detailed production costs, stating that 1.6 kg of paddy is needed for 1 kg of rice, with conversion costs around Rs. 35 per kg, and said Nadu rice is sold at about Rs. 230 per kg. He also stated that casino entry fees will be US$50 per person and that a 14 percent tax on winnings will be withheld at payout. He added that the Government aims to raise reserves to US$7 billion through tourism, FDI and other inflows, while strengthening state enterprises and maintaining a state role in supply chains to stabilize prices. Debate: Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, Public Debt Management Act Regulations, and Foreign Exchange Act Regulations Read →
- 19 August 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister stated that rice imports had been liberalized and were carried out by private entities. He clarified that Sathosa did not divert imported rice for animal feed, and that all rice purchased by Sathosa was sold for human consumption. Debate: Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, Public Debt Management Act Regulations, and Foreign Exchange Act Regulations Read →
- 19 August 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister supported the regulations under the Public Debt Management Act and Foreign Exchange Act and the proposal to establish a Gambling Regulatory Authority, arguing that formal regulation is needed to replace informal political control. He reported fertilizer subsidy payments of about Rs. 13.8 billion, ongoing Yala paddy harvesting of over one million metric tons, and government paddy/rice procurement through the Paddy Marketing Board, Sathosa, and bank-backed working capital facilities for millers. He also outlined broader government measures, including capital spending on development works, recruitment to fill public service vacancies, salary and pension adjustments, a higher private sector minimum wage, and action on estate worker wages. Debate: Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, Public Debt Management Act Regulations, and Foreign Exchange Act Regulations Read →