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- 19 August 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB AI summary K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna tabled a written answer on tea production, export income, and Sri Lanka’s export ranking from 2015 to 2024, noting production fell from 329 million kg in 2015 to 263 million kg in 2024, while export income was Rs. 433,473 million in 2024. The answer stated that Sri Lanka ranked third in international tea exports from 2015 to 2023 and fourth in 2024. It outlined measures including a National Plantation Policy, a 2025–2029 Strategic Plan targeting 400 million kg of production and USD 2.5 billion in export earnings by 2029, and programmes on productivity, replanting, mechanization, quality improvement, value addition, climate resilience, modernization, and data-driven governance. Second Round Questions: Tea Production/Export and M-Class Locomotives (Tabled and Deferred) Read →
- 19 August 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy presented the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability report on the Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill, which was ordered to lie upon the Table. He also raised concern that numerous reports from 2021 to 2024 contain audit queries without accompanying responses, and requested Ministers to ensure responses are submitted with such reports so Parliament can assess resolution of issues and make recommendations. Papers: Annual Reports and Sectoral Committee Reports Read →
- 19 August 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary The Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure presented the 2022 Annual Report of Kurunegala Plantations Limited and the 2024 Performance Report of the Rubber Development Department. He moved that the reports be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability, and the House agreed. Papers: Annual Reports and Sectoral Committee Reports Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara questioned the President’s claims of economic growth and stability, arguing that if revenues have improved the Government should provide promised relief, including reductions in electricity tariffs and removal of VAT on children’s books and essentials. He raised concerns over alleged illegal release of 300 containers and urged action against those responsible, while also disputing claims about rupee stability in the context of wider currency movements. He focused extensively on the sugar industry, stating that imports, taxes on local production, lack of fertilizer, unsold stocks, depressed ethanol prices, and failing machinery are undermining domestic producers in areas such as Moneragala, and called for tax reductions and measures to protect local cane farmers and mills. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe argued that the Government has moved Sri Lanka from stabilization toward growth, citing improved fiscal performance, external stability, export growth, manufacturing expansion, private credit growth, and rising investor interest under the IMF programme. He rejected Opposition claims about the NPP’s economic management and said current appointments and policies reflect rule of law, meritocracy, digitization, better governance, and efforts to expand market access while improving domestic competitiveness. He stated that social indicators such as poverty, employment, and real wages will take longer to improve, and called on the Opposition to support legal reforms, changes in political culture, and accountability for misuse of public funds rather than making statements that could deter investors. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB AI summary The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna stated that, following the President’s Budget policy that uncultivated cultivable land should be treated as an offence, the Government is preparing to lease underutilized lands for cultivation. He said Janawasama and the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation have identified such lands, surveys and legal preparations are underway, and notices calling for proposals are expected to be published within about one and a half months. Oral Question: Land Granted to Private Plantation Companies from State-Owned Lands (Q.9/2025) Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Ajantha Gammeddage JJB AI summary Ajantha Gammeddage asked when the Government would begin returning underutilized lands to the public for cultivation, citing the policy statement “A Prosperous Country – A Beautiful Life” and the President’s statement to Parliament. He requested clarification on whether a proper process is already in place to implement that policy. Oral Question: Land Granted to Private Plantation Companies from State-Owned Lands (Q.9/2025) Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB AI summary Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna stated that estate agreements vary in type and permit certain companies to cultivate other estate crops within categories such as tea or rubber. He acknowledged that past oversight had been insufficient and said the Government would strengthen monitoring and review, including re-entry where appropriate and action against fallow lands and misuse. Oral Question: Land Granted to Private Plantation Companies from State-Owned Lands (Q.9/2025) Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Ajantha Gammeddage JJB AI summary A question was raised about alleged non-compliance by privatized plantation companies with contractual conditions, including conversion of tea and rubber lands to other crops such as cinnamon. The member asked what action the Ministry would take to prevent misuse of plantation lands and enforce the relevant agreements. Oral Question: Land Granted to Private Plantation Companies from State-Owned Lands (Q.9/2025) Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB AI summary Provided answers to a parliamentary question on plantation lands, stating that 8,410.28 hectares are held across named estates, with 4,488.80 hectares cultivated and further details on estates, crops, and uncultivated cultivable extents placed in the Library. He said lease agreements between the Government and companies are under review and confirmed that lease rentals due had been paid, including specified 2025 first- and second-quarter payments by Mathurata, Namunkula, and Thalawakelle Plantations. Oral Question: Land Granted to Private Plantation Companies from State-Owned Lands (Q.9/2025) Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Ajantha Gammeddage JJB AI summary Hon. Ajantha Gammeddage asked the Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure to provide details of State-owned lands in the Matara District granted to private plantation companies, including the companies involved, land extents, crops cultivated, and the extent actually cultivated. He further asked which companies had not cultivated allocated lands, whether the Government planned to reclaim such lands, and whether revenues due to the Government had been properly recovered. Oral Question: Land Granted to Private Plantation Companies from State-Owned Lands (Q.9/2025) Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne JJB AI summary Namal Karunaratne stated that a rejected Chinese fertilizer consignment of 96,000 metric tons was ordered in breach of regulations, with 20,550 metric tons not entering the country due to incompatible microorganisms, yet Sri Lanka paid 75 per cent of the order value, amounting to USD 670,000 or Rs. 1,383 million. He said legal action is underway and maximum penalties will be pursued. He also outlined a Department of Agriculture plan to conduct plot-by-plot soil testing over four paddy seasons to standardize fertilizer use, improve yields, reduce costs, and limit soil degradation, while addressing resource gaps in 32 laboratories. Oral Question: Regulation of Fertilizer Act - Maximum Penalty on Fake Fertilizer Manufacturers (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri expressed appreciation to the Deputy Minister for advocating on behalf of farmers. He noted that the Government increased the fertilizer subsidy from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 25,000 and decided to provide a Rs. 15,000 per hectare grant for cultivating inter-seasonal crops on paddy lands. Oral Question: Regulation of Fertilizer Act - Maximum Penalty on Fake Fertilizer Manufacturers (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 7 August 2025 Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne said investigations into the Polonnaruwa fertilizer fraud, based on information from several Members, found that fertilizer labelled as containing 46% nitrogen had much lower nitrogen content and had already been widely distributed. He stated that such frauds harm farmers and the national economy, and argued that the current Act’s penalties are inadequate. He said the law should be amended to impose stronger, deterrent penalties. Oral Question: Regulation of Fertilizer Act - Maximum Penalty on Fake Fertilizer Manufacturers (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri referred to a police raid in Dimbulagala where ammonia fertilizer allegedly was being repackaged and sold as urea with false nitrogen content, linking it to farmer complaints over poor yields in Polonnaruwa. He questioned the adequacy of the Rs. 5,000 fine for such offences and asked what redress would be provided for the wider economic and social losses to farmers, rice mills, employment, and rice supply. He also referenced the 2021 Qingdao Seawin organic fertilizer procurement and the reported US$ 6.9 million compensation payment. Oral Question: Regulation of Fertilizer Act - Maximum Penalty on Fake Fertilizer Manufacturers (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 7 August 2025 Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister, responding on behalf of the relevant Minister, provided details on the Regulation of Fertilizer Act, No. 68 of 1988, including penalties under Section 22 for fertilizer-related offences. He stated that imported and locally produced fertilizers are subject to laboratory testing and quality confirmation before market release, and outlined ongoing programmes to promote organic fertilizer production with the Makandura Sustainable Agriculture Research and Development Centre. He also noted that 54 organic fertilizer producers were registered in 2024 and 15 had been registered by 30 June 2025. Oral Question: Regulation of Fertilizer Act - Maximum Penalty on Fake Fertilizer Manufacturers (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation for details on the Regulation of Fertilizer Act, including the year it was presented to Parliament and the maximum penalty applicable to manufacturers of fake fertilizer. He also sought information on whether fertilizer standards in the market are inspected and whether programmes exist to produce or encourage the production of organic and chemical fertilizers in Sri Lanka. Oral Question: Regulation of Fertilizer Act - Maximum Penalty on Fake Fertilizer Manufacturers (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. M. S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary M. S. Uthumalebbe asked whether the Ministry would provide interim livelihood support for four Jaffna District fishermen who were washed ashore in India while deep sea fishing and later repatriated following representations. He noted that the affected fishermen and their damaged boats had not yet received compensation. Oral Question: E.L. Irfan and K.S. Nishfar - Compensation for Boat Accident (Q.4/2025) Read →
- 7 August 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister stated that 33 proposed Eastern Province projects, with an estimated total cost of Rs. 2.37 billion, had been identified for multi-donor funding, covering agriculture, rural industries, fisheries, education, health, Ayurveda facilities, women’s empowerment, and support services for differently-abled children. She said the projects were selected based on sectoral needs and inputs from provincial and divisional-level officials, with stakeholder meetings held in July and October 2023. She added that the Governor of the Eastern Province submitted the proposals to the Indian High Commission in 2023 seeking assistance to improve socio-economic conditions in the province. Oral Question: Projects Approved with Indian Government Assistance - Eastern Province (Q.3/2025) Read →
- 7 August 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Susil Ranasinghe, replying on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, provided land extents held by category, totalling 161,506 hectares, and stated that the Land Reform Commission’s remaining extent after acquisitions and exclusions is 6,439 acres, 1 rood and 6.58 perches. He said the relevant process has not been suspended and that the LRC is continuing a programme to issue deeds or permits to long-term occupants, with plans to issue 7,000 deeds island-wide, including in Monaragala District, by 31 December 2025. Oral Question: Arable LRC Lands in Monaragala District (Q.2/2025) Read →