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- 7 August 2025 The Hon. W. H. M. Dharmasena SJB AI summary Hon. W. H. M. Dharmasena asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation for details on arable government lands and Land Reform Commission-owned lands in the Monaragala District. He sought clarification on whether the Government is aware that deed issuance has been suspended and that long-term occupants of LRC lands, some for 25 to 30 years, have not received title deeds or permits. He asked whether steps will be taken to issue title deeds or land permits to those occupants, and if not, the reasons for inaction. Oral Question: Arable LRC Lands in Monaragala District (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Moved approval of regulations made by the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tea Board under the Tea (Tax and Control of Export) Act, No. 16 of 1959, as published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2343/63 and presented to Parliament on 11 July 2025. He noted that Cabinet approval had been granted, and the motion was agreed to. Papers: Order under Tobacco Tax Act and Regulations under Tea Act Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne JJB AI summary Namal Karunaratne said imported substandard produce, including pepper, had allegedly been mixed or re-exported as Sri Lankan goods, undermining farmers’ prices and damaging Sri Lanka’s export crop brand in markets such as India. He referred to past campaigns and discussions on the issue, and said the relevant Department is now under his Ministry, which is taking phased action against fraud, corruption and malpractice. He stated that the Government intends to reform the system and develop export crops to increase foreign exchange earnings. Oral Question: Agricultural Crop Export Producers and Regulatory Framework (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody JJB AI summary Asked whether, following prior concerns raised about corruption in agricultural exports, the authorities have taken steps to prevent such malpractices. Sought an assurance that farmers will be protected from related irregularities. Oral Question: Agricultural Crop Export Producers and Regulatory Framework (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne JJB AI summary Hon. Namal Karunaratne said the export crop sector, including cinnamon and other major crops, has strong potential to earn foreign exchange. He noted past malpractices such as imported pepper being mixed and re-exported as Sri Lankan produce, and said steps are being taken with Ministers and farmer organizations to prevent this. He added that the Budget has substantially increased funding for the Department of Export Agriculture to promote cultivation and address marketing issues so farmers receive fair prices. Oral Question: Agricultural Crop Export Producers and Regulatory Framework (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody JJB AI summary Ruwanthilaka Jayakody raised concerns that export-oriented agriculture is not receiving adequate practical support despite official reports, noting that exporters profit while farmers receive low prices. He cited an example of young graduates abandoning export agriculture after failing to receive sufficient guidance or facilities from the Ministry and the Department of Export Agriculture, and asked what measures would be taken to better encourage youth participation and improve the sector’s effectiveness. Oral Question: Agricultural Crop Export Producers and Regulatory Framework (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB AI summary Approximately 700,000 stakeholders, including farmers, are involved in export-oriented crops and related industries. The Deputy Minister stated that the Department of Export Agriculture provides training, technical guidance, post-harvest quality support, investment facilitation, and market-linking assistance for export crops such as spices, coffee, cocoa, vanilla, turmeric and ginger. He added that a Business Advisory Unit and district/provincial awareness programmes support stakeholders, while electronic and social media are used to encourage youth participation in export agriculture. Oral Question: Agricultural Crop Export Producers and Regulatory Framework (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody JJB AI summary Ruwanthilaka Jayakody asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation whether the Government recognizes farmers producing agricultural crops for export and what facilities are provided to support their exports. He sought details on the role of the Department of Export Agriculture and the specific assistance or access available through it for young entrepreneurs to export agricultural products without impediments. Oral Question: Agricultural Crop Export Producers and Regulatory Framework (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Presented the Sectoral Oversight Committee report on Environment, Agriculture and Sustainable Resource Management covering the 2023 Annual Report of the National Institute of Cooperative Development and the 2020–2023 Performance Reports of the National Intellectual Property Office. He stated that the National Intellectual Property Office had not adequately advanced its expected work and requested a special programme, while proposing a national policy framework to protect intellectual property. Papers: Tabling of Annual and Performance Reports Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister presented the Department of the Food Commissioner’s Performance Report for 2024. He proposed that the report be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Sustainable Resource Management, and the proposal was agreed to. Papers: Tabling of Annual and Performance Reports Read →
- 5 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna objected to being interrupted and responded to remarks directed at him. He questioned why a promised leather factory for the North and East had not been established despite land allocations, DCC meetings, and completed processes, noting that carcasses from the region continue to be transported to the South. Debate: Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties Regulations Read →
- 5 August 2025 The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan, speaking during the debate on regulations under the Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties Act, urged the Government to ensure that any new levies do not further burden small producers who already lack fair market access. He highlighted unfair pricing by intermediaries, inadequate rural market infrastructure, the impact of monkey and elephant damage on farming, rising fuel costs for fishers, and the need to support war-affected farmers, fishers, women-headed households, and palmyrah-based small industries in the North and Vanni. He requested local market facilities, measures to secure fair prices, export support for palmyrah handicrafts, and solutions to the Mannar wind power dispute through ongoing discussions with Ministers and local representatives. Debate: Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties Regulations Read →
- 5 August 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary Moved approval of regulations under the Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties Act, No. 2 of 2018, published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2429/32, to operationalize investigations and procedures for anti-dumping, countervailing duties, and price undertakings following Cabinet approval. He said the measures are intended to protect domestic producers from dumped or subsidized imports while requiring assessment by the Department of Commerce, an Inter-Ministerial Committee, and the Treasury of industry harm, consumer interests, and wider market impacts. He noted the duties would be temporary safeguards to allow affected industries to adjust and compete, with complaints handled through the Department of Commerce in line with WTO-related fair trade principles. Debate: Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties Regulations Read →
- 5 August 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary The Minister said domestic red onion production has fallen from about 58,000 MT in 2019 to around 29,000–30,000 MT in 2024, with 35,000–40,000 MT estimated for 2025, despite fertilizer and seed subsidies. He identified the main issue as the lack of a state mechanism to purchase, store, and release produce according to market demand, noting that the CWE formerly performed this role before its assets were sold. He said the Government is preparing, with relevant ministries and Treasury agreement, a programme to buy part of farmers’ onion output, provide storage, and support price management amid market volatility. Ministerial Statements: Trade and Commerce Issues in Jaffna District Read →
- 5 August 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan raised concerns about farmers in multiple producing villages across Jaffna and the Northern Province engaged in subsidiary food production, including small onions and other crops. He said the absence of import duties during harvest periods over the past two years had caused severe losses, particularly for small onion producers and new farmers, and asked what relief the Government would provide amid wider impacts from fisheries issues, agriculture problems, and floods. Ministerial Statements: Trade and Commerce Issues in Jaffna District Read →
- 5 August 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development JJB AI summary The Minister responded to a Standing Order 27(2) question on red onions, potatoes, and onion imports, stating that the Government has imposed a Rs. 50 per kilogram Special Commodity Levy on imported red onions to protect local farmers amid reduced domestic production. He said insured farmers affected by rainfall can receive compensation through the insurance mechanism, but there is no compensation system for uninsured farmers. He added that Jaffna potato cultivation is mainly privately funded, with arrangements to provide suitable seed at a 50% subsidy by November 2025, and that imported big onions are tested by health authorities for human consumption while local onions use approved pesticides. Ministerial Statements: Trade and Commerce Issues in Jaffna District Read →
- 5 August 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Handunnetti outlined the payment position of Lanka Sugar Company at Pelwatta and Sevanagala, stating that most advances, transport allowances and salaries had been settled, with remaining final payment arrears now being addressed, including an immediate 40 per cent settlement. He said identified revenues from sugar and ethanol sales, along with a Rs. 1 billion allocation from the President as Minister of Finance, would support future cane advances, fertilizer supply, expanded cultivation, ethanol quality improvements and a wholesale sugar distribution network across all districts. He argued that the company had moved past a financial risk period while maintaining fair farmer prices and protecting the sugar industry, and said cane purchasing would continue with an expected increase in harvest and a collective pricing mechanism across production entities. Ministerial Statement: Lanka Sugar Company - Pelwatte and Sevanagala Sugarcane Farmers Read →
- 5 August 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary The Minister addressed delayed payments to Pelwatte and Sevanagala sugarcane outgrower farmers under Lanka Sugar Company, outlining inherited liabilities of Rs. 6.272 billion and current production, sales, and revenue figures for sugar and ethanol in early 2025. He stated that a two-month payment delay was acknowledged, with Rs. 871.86 million paid between 2 June and 1 August against Rs. 1.541 billion due by 31 August, leaving Rs. 669.61 million outstanding. He tabled detailed farmer payment lists, saying they were intended to clarify eligibility and identify persons in protests who were not relevant farmers or who owed money to the company. Ministerial Statement: Lanka Sugar Company - Pelwatte and Sevanagala Sugarcane Farmers Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe outlined irrigation allocations and project timelines for Monaragala, stating that Lower Uma Oya requires about Rs. 32 billion in total and has received Rs. 2,150 million this year, within a Rs. 3.4 billion district allocation. He said Rs. 600 million has been allocated for the Rajala Project in Buttala and smaller tanks, with the aim of completing key works and increasing paddy cultivation by 25,000 acres by the 2026 Maha season, including around 12,000 new acres. He also noted that plans for Kumbukkan Oya would be pursued in due course. Oral Question: Kumbukkan Oya Project (Q.5) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. W.H.M. Dharmasena SJB AI summary Hon. W.H.M. Dharmasena urged the Deputy Minister to expedite a major Monaragala District irrigation and water supply project involving left and right bank canals to serve Athimale, Kotiyagala and Wilaoya. He noted that the project is expected to enable 4,180 hectares of new cultivation, improve 1,250 hectares of existing land, generate up to 16 GWh of power annually, and provide full drinking water coverage to five Pradeshiya Sabha areas, with Rs. 521 million already spent. Oral Question: Kumbukkan Oya Project (Q.5) Read →