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- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB AI summary Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake raised a supplementary question on delays in tank deepening works in Kurunegala under the “Irrigation Heritage – Our Legacy” initiative, noting the district’s high dependence on tanks and shortage of technical officers. He asked the relevant authorities to state a realistic timeframe for resolving the technical-staff shortage and completing the ongoing works involving Agrarian Service Centres, the Kurunegala District Agrarian Services Office, and the Department of Irrigation, despite the President’s 30 September completion target. Oral Question: Reservoirs and Tank Management (Q.3/2025 – 794/2025) Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary Foreign-assisted agriculture and irrigation projects, including tank restoration, are being reviewed following concerns from farmer organizations and the public about project selection and design components. A committee of engineers and subject experts appointed by the Minister is examining possible irregularities, inefficiencies, and management issues across 11 projects worth about US$1 billion. The Deputy Minister said action would be taken based on the committee’s recommendations and that the specific matter raised would be inquired into. Oral Question: Reservoirs and Tank Management (Q.3/2025 – 794/2025) Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB AI summary Asked whether the Ministry is aware of public complaints that an afforestation planting scheme linked to SARP tank restoration in the Galgamuwa electorate has failed and misled residents. He requested to know whether any financial audit or inquiry has been conducted into losses arising from the project. Oral Question: Reservoirs and Tank Management (Q.3/2025 – 794/2025) Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary On behalf of the Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation Minister, the Deputy Minister provided detailed figures on reservoirs and tanks managed by the Irrigation Department, Department of Agrarian Development and Mahaweli Authority, including 5,733 minor tanks in the Kurunegala District. He outlined tank rehabilitation work in Kurunegala from 2021 to 2025, citing restorations under departmental allocations, the Irrigation Prosperity Programme, climate resilience projects and agrarian development schemes. He also stated that the IFAD-funded SARP project has operated since 2023, with Rs. 13,498 million allocated overall and Rs. 2,908 million for Kurunegala, where 14 tank projects have been completed and five more are underway. Oral Question: Reservoirs and Tank Management (Q.3/2025 – 794/2025) Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB AI summary Asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation for detailed data on Sri Lanka’s reservoirs, large tanks and small tanks, including district-level figures for Kurunegala and annual restoration numbers over the past ten years. He also sought information on the restoration projects used, with specific questions on the SARP irrigation project, including its implementation in Kurunegala, funding sources and allocations, works carried out on tanks, and whether the project is ongoing. Oral Question: Reservoirs and Tank Management (Q.3/2025 – 794/2025) Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake presented additional reports on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation for referral to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Sustainable Use of Resources. The House agreed to the question. Papers: Additional Reports Tabled Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary Minister Sunil Handunnetti said Lanka Sugar Company was inherited as a loss-making entity with large unsold stocks of ethanol and sugar, and argued that current sugar and ethanol price issues stem from decisions made under previous administrations, including VAT on sugar and ethanol import controls. He stated that the Government has paid cutting and transport charges, recently paid Rs. 460 million to farmers, and secured a further Rs. 1 billion Treasury allocation to settle remaining payments. He rejected allegations that state-produced ethanol contained urea or that the Government planned to import ethanol, tabling Excise Department and quality inspection documents, and said the state-linked sugar factories would not be sold, closed, or allowed to sell ethanol below Rs. 800 per litre. Adjournment Debate: Safeguarding Local Sugar Industry Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Rauff Hakeem raised concerns about Gal Oya Plantations in the Ampara District alongside issues affecting Lanka Sugar Company factories, noting that cane farmers had met the Minister and that the Minister agreed to attend the District Coordinating Committee meeting on the 31st. He cited an Auditor General’s report alleging inadequate Treasury oversight, non-payment of dividends to the Government, major liabilities, and operational inefficiencies, and questioned whether there were attempts to create a monopoly over sugar and ethanol operations. He alleged intimidation of farmers, police action against farmer leaders, arson, misuse of insurance, forced indebtedness, and unfair pricing, and requested ministerial intervention with Treasury participation to address farmers’ grievances and ensure proper oversight. Adjournment Debate: Safeguarding Local Sugar Industry Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Piyathissa - Deputy Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister recounted the closure, privatization and subsequent revival of the Hingurana Sugar Factory as Gal Oya Plantations under a 51 per cent Government and 49 per cent private partnership, arguing that earlier privatization and mismanagement had damaged Ampara’s economy. He said current operations still disadvantage sugarcane farmers through low prices, unfair agreements, poor infrastructure, alleged intimidation of protests, unpaid dues to the Government and private control despite majority State ownership. He called for accountability for those responsible for the factory’s collapse and stated that the Government would take measures to ensure benefits reach farmers rather than only management. Adjournment Debate: Safeguarding Local Sugar Industry Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. W.H.M. Dharmasena SJB AI summary Hon. W.H.M. Dharmasena seconded the motion and emphasized the importance of the Pelwatte, Sevanagala, Ethimale and Gal Oya plants to the economy and livelihoods of Monaragala District since their establishment in the 1980s. He urged the Minister not to allow the Pelwatte and Sevanagala factories to collapse, noting that more than 5,000 workers and many farmers depend on them. He cited outstanding payments to farmers and suppliers, bank loans, EPF/ETF arrears, halted medical insurance, delayed salaries, and withheld bonuses, confirmations and promotions, and called for both plants, particularly profitable Sevanagala, to be protected. Adjournment Debate: Safeguarding Local Sugar Industry Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB AI summary Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara raised concerns over the crisis in the local sugar industry, stating that farmers, workers, tractor owners and service providers dependent on factories such as Pelwatte, Sevanagala, Ethimale and Gal Oya face unpaid dues and wage delays. He argued that local sugar is disadvantaged by VAT and levies while imported sugar is cheaper, leaving large stocks unsold and factories loss-making, with similar problems affecting ethanol sales due to reduced demand and imports. He requested removal of VAT on locally produced sugar, action to sell existing sugar and ethanol stocks, curbs on ethanol imports, and clarification on when farmers’ and service providers’ arrears will be paid. Adjournment Debate: Safeguarding Local Sugar Industry Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara moved an Adjournment Motion on the crisis affecting sugarcane farmers and workers linked to the Pelwatte, Sevanagala, Ethimale and Gal Oya sugar factories in Monaragala and Ampara. He stated that unsold stocks of sugar and ethanol have led to salary arrears, restricted cane purchases and delayed payments to farmers, affecting about 50,000 farming families and 10,000 workers. He attributed the situation partly to permission granted for sugar and ethanol imports despite local production capacity, and called for urgent action to sell accumulated stocks, settle dues and restore normal factory operations. Adjournment Debate: Safeguarding Local Sugar Industry Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Piyathissa - Deputy Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister supported amendments to the Employees’ National Minimum Wage and related Bills, stating that they would legally implement Budget relief for over five million private sector workers. He defended the Government’s development agenda, citing programmes on irrigation rehabilitation, agriculture, dairy production, rural roads, housing, education reform, digitalization, and poverty reduction through family development plans and cooperatives. He also criticized the Opposition’s claims and said the Government was pursuing fiscal discipline and legal action against misuse of public property as part of its broader reform programme. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera SJB AI summary Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera raised concerns that small tea growers still lack access to concessionary fertilizer, noting that a sack costs around Rs. 10,000–11,000 and that the sector supports nearly two million people and foreign exchange earnings. He requested government action on fertilizer support and questioned its investment policy, alleging approval for a major casino project at the “City of Dreams Sri Lanka” complex despite unpaid licence fees and possible tax concessions. He contrasted this with earlier government criticism of casino-related investments. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera SJB AI summary Welcoming the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Bill’s increase from Rs. 21,000 to Rs. 30,000, K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera argued that plantation workers remain inadequately protected despite prior assurances of a Rs. 1,700 daily wage. He urged the Government to begin negotiations with plantation companies and include a mechanism in the forthcoming Budget to implement that wage, alongside action on promised housing and infrastructure for plantation communities. He also raised concerns about the tea sector, stating that smallholders who contribute most tea exports face low green leaf prices, weak yields, and insufficient ministerial intervention following past fertilizer-related disruptions. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Jagath Vithana SJB AI summary Hon. Jagath Vithana raised concerns about the plantation sector, stating that the earlier chemical fertilizer ban, higher income tax on planters, and lack of fertilizer relief had harmed tea production, with many factories closing, and requested VAT relief or a subsidy for fertilizer. He then described the arrest and remanding of his son over a vehicle he had purchased from another MP, arguing that the vehicle had been formally registered and financed and that he should have been contacted or held responsible instead. He asked for fairness, restraint in enforcement, and caution in public statements about ongoing legal matters, while also urging continued industrial peace in the plantation sector. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB AI summary The Minister replied to a Standing Order 27(2) question on human-elephant conflict, stating that the 2024 elephant survey data are still under scientific analysis and that the last published nationwide figure from 2011 was at least 5,879 elephants. He outlined the status of the 2020 National Action Plan, relevant agencies, fatality figures from 2020 to 2025, compensation levels, and legal protections under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance, with annexes placed in the Library. He said the Government would appoint a stakeholder committee on the Animal Welfare Bill, investigate recent elephant shootings through the CID, and address veterinary capacity constraints through recruitment, a planned wildlife hospital, and a mobile veterinary unit. SO 27(2) Question: Human-Elephant Conflict Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary The Minister tabled data on Sri Lanka’s sugar requirement, domestic production, expected 2025 output, and imports, noting annual demand of about 650,000 metric tons and expected 2025 imports of 550,000–600,000 metric tons. He stated that locally produced sugar is subject to 18 per cent VAT and 2.5 per cent SSCL, and that Pelwatte and Sevanagala are currently not profitable from sugar production. The answer also identified risks to direct and indirect employment in the sector and listed measures to increase brown sugar production and reduce imports, including improved cane varieties, farmer incentives, better fertilizer use, training, and modern technology. Oral Question: Sugar Demand and Production (Q.10/2024) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. Chithral Fernando, Attorney-at-Law) SJB AI summary Asked the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development for data on Sri Lanka’s annual sugar demand, domestic sugar production in 2023, 2024 and 2025 to date, and projected domestic production and imports by the end of 2025. He also sought details on taxes imposed on locally produced sugar, the financial losses of the Pelwatte and Sevanagala sugar factories, employment linked to the sugar industry, risks to those jobs, and measures to increase local production and reduce imports. Oral Question: Sugar Demand and Production (Q.10/2024) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa said the Opposition supports the Orders increasing the national minimum monthly wage to Rs. 27,000 by December and Rs. 30,000 from January, but argued that the Government has not implemented its policy pledge to provide a Rs. 1,700 daily wage to plantation workers. Citing the Wages Boards Ordinance and related legislation governing agricultural worker allowances, he asked when the pledge would be fulfilled for the tea, rubber, coconut and other export crop sectors. He also asked whether the Government would support an amendment proposed by Mano Ganesan, V.S. Radhakrishnan and Palani Digambaram to implement the Rs. 1,700 daily wage. Oral Question: National Minimum Wage and Plantation Workers Wages Read →