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- 11 July 2025 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary M.S. Uthumalebbe raised concerns about repeated flooding from the Thoppikuda major canal in the Irakkamam Divisional Secretariat area, affecting paddy lands across Samanthurai, Nintavur, Deegawapi, Oluvil, Palamunai, Addalaichenai, and Akkaraipattu. He asked whether a special team of senior Irrigation Department officials would be appointed to expedite a permanent solution, noting that temporary measures have failed to prevent recurring losses during rainy seasons. Oral Questions - First Round Read →
- 9 July 2025 Bills Presented AI summary The Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill was presented by Minister K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna. The Bill was ordered to be printed, scheduled for Second Reading on 23 July 2025, and referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability. Papers: Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 9 July 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the Government is committed to protecting domestic producers of big onions, potatoes, and red onions in key districts, while balancing farmer and consumer interests. He noted that local production accounts for about 10–15% of national demand and said policy measures would ensure it is not undermined. A detailed response on the matter was promised for Friday. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Paddy Purchase, Rice Import, Horticultural Crops; Question of Privilege Read →
- 9 July 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Sivagnanam Shritharan raised concerns about farmers in Achchuveli and Puthumaththani, noting that supplementary crops are vital to Jaffna’s economy. He asked the Minister to include immediate import-duty measures in an upcoming Friday response, stating that shipments of local produce to the south have fallen from about 40 lorries a day to less than one. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Paddy Purchase, Rice Import, Horticultural Crops; Question of Privilege Read →
- 9 July 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan raised, under Standing Order 27(2), concerns over declining up-country and horticultural cultivation in Jaffna District, citing climate impacts, disease, high labour and input costs, lack of seed potato supply, and depressed prices for small red onions. He questioned the Government’s failure to impose harvest-time import duties on small onions for the past three years, asked for compensation for farmers affected by continuous rains and crop losses, and sought measures on disease control, soil and water testing, and introduction of quality seed varieties. He also asked how the Government would verify heavy metals in imported onions and why a 10:1 culling ratio is applied only to Northern Province produce while not applied to Dambulla or imported onions. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Paddy Purchase, Rice Import, Horticultural Crops; Question of Privilege Read →
- 9 July 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the question had been received only the previous afternoon and that the relevant data were held by multiple institutions. He said the guaranteed price of Rs. 120 per kilogram was based on the Hector Kobbekaduwa Institute’s estimated production cost of about Rs. 96 per kilogram plus a one-third margin, and undertook to provide a detailed, institution-certified breakdown in writing. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Paddy Purchase, Rice Import, Horticultural Crops; Question of Privilege Read →
- 9 July 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister said the Opposition Leader’s Standing Order 27(2) question reached the Ministry only the previous afternoon and that several assertions required verification. He outlined available figures on rice consumption, Maha and Yala production, stockholding agencies, and recent imports, including 178,000 MT of rice, a proposed 40,000 MT for Keeri Samba, and 278,000 MT of maize for livestock and related industries. He also noted reported demand for rice by breweries and sake production, and stated that comprehensive written answers would be provided after confirming data with the relevant institutions. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Paddy Purchase, Rice Import, Horticultural Crops; Question of Privilege Read →
- 9 July 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised a Private Notice Question on paddy procurement and rice import policy, asking for data on national rice requirements, Government-held stocks, expected Yala harvest by district, production costs, guaranteed prices, procurement targets, budget allocations, imports, and crop insurance. He argued that despite reported rice surpluses and a stated guaranteed price of Rs. 120 per kilogram of paddy, farmers are being forced to sell at Rs. 85-90 during harvest while rice imports continue. He questioned whether imports and weak distribution mechanisms, including alleged diversion of rice and market manipulation, are undermining fair prices for farmers and requested structured Government responses. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Paddy Purchase, Rice Import, Horticultural Crops; Question of Privilege Read →
- 9 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Asked that development of the tank area go beyond flood control, health, and recreation to include local economic benefits. Requested ministerial support for an economic plan with facilities such as proper kiosks and parking to assist local residents. Oral Question: Ragama–Peralanda Tank Development (Q.6511/2025) Read →
- 9 July 2025 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar JJB AI summary Ramalingam Chandrasekar objected to Opposition members mocking his use of Tamil, stating that it was his mother tongue and did not affect the time taken to respond. Addressing a question on fisheries, he said institutions under the Fisheries Ministry were in poor condition, lacked insurance coverage, and that the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation was incurring a Rs. 1,600 million loss. He said the Ministry was working on solutions, including specific measures to develop marine and inland prawn and fish production in Puttalam, and invited members to raise particular interventions with him. Oral Question: Fish Catch, Import and Export (Q.637/2025) Read →
- 9 July 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Asked whether a structured programme using new technology could be implemented in Puttalam District to improve both inland and marine fisheries. He framed the request as a measure to benefit the local population dependent on fisheries. Oral Question: Fish Catch, Import and Export (Q.637/2025) Read →
- 9 July 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy questioned the adequacy of Government support for fisheries in Puttalam District, stating that despite its reliance on both marine and inland fisheries, it received less than five percent of Budget allocations and was not mentioned in plans to increase catch. He cited declining fish catch from 2015 to 2024 and LKR 39 billion in fish imports in 2024, urging modern technology, coordinated programmes, and institutional collaboration to expand domestic production. He also highlighted the lack of chilled storage facilities for inland fisheries as a factor increasing fish prices. Oral Question: Fish Catch, Import and Export (Q.637/2025) Read →
- 9 July 2025 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar — Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources AI summary The Minister tabled data on fish production, export earnings and import expenditure for 2015 to the first quarter of 2025. He outlined measures to increase fish stocks and catches, including artificial reef deployments, an FAO-assisted deep-sea longline pilot, inland stocking of fish and prawn fingerlings, provision of offshore stock data to fishers, and installation of barrier nets to prevent fish losses from tanks during heavy rains. He also stated that monthly stocking of 100–120 tanks a year began in 2025, with plans to raise inland harvests by about 20,000 metric tons annually, expand fingerling production through three new hatcheries, and promote value addition programmes prioritizing women in fishing families. Oral Question: Fish Catch, Import and Export (Q.637/2025) Read →
- 9 July 2025 Catch, Import and Export of Fish Since 2015: Details AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy asked the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources to provide annual data from 2015 to date on Sri Lanka’s fish catch, income from fish exports, and expenditure on fish imports. He also requested details of measures being taken to increase the national fish catch, and asked for reasons if the information could not be provided. Oral Question: Fish Catch, Import and Export (Q.637/2025) Read →
- 9 July 2025 Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister presented the 2022 Performance Report of the Department of Food Commissioner and the 2024 Annual Performance Report of the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development. He moved that the reports be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Sustainable Resource Management, and the motion was agreed to. Papers: Annual Performance Reports Read →
- 9 July 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, four 2024 Annual Performance Reports covering the Ministry’s Irrigation, Lands, Agriculture and Livestock, and former Minor Export Crops Divisions, as well as the Department of Irrigation, were presented. He moved that the reports be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Sustainable Resource Management, and the motion was agreed to. Papers: Annual Performance Reports Read →
- 8 July 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister corrected claims about Raigam Group representation, stating its directors are on the board of Puttalam Salt Ltd. and not Mantai Salt Ltd. He said the Government is working to improve agricultural production and import data, uses protective duties on pulses such as mung and cowpea to balance imports with farmer protection, and has extended parate moratorium measures while encouraging loan rescheduling, particularly through state banks. On salt, he explained that import restrictions were lifted due to climate-related production shortfalls, outlined current harvest and import figures, and said late shipments outside the permitted window would be re-exported or taken for state distribution through relevant agencies. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act - Salt Import Regulations (Gazette No. 2437/04) Read →
- 8 July 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara rejected claims about Opposition absenteeism, noting that many MPs from both sides were attending committee meetings, and then focused on economic pressures on SMEs, arguing that parate enforcement and high interest rates had contributed to business closures, asset seizures, and job losses. He urged loan restructuring that prioritizes repayment of principal, defers interest, and allocates most repayments toward principal to prevent further SME collapse. He questioned recent fiscal and pricing measures, including taxes, fuel and electricity price increases, possible reliance on spot fuel tenders, and IMF-related property tax plans, while alleging irregularities in CPC operations and calling for scrutiny of the SAP system. He also asked the Government to investigate alleged profiteering and governance issues at Mantai Salt Ltd., stating that salt prices had risen sharply despite lower bulk costs. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act - Salt Import Regulations (Gazette No. 2437/04) Read →
- 8 July 2025 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister defended the Government’s use of import and export regulations, including salt imports, as a short-term price-stabilization measure while domestic production capacity is expanded through land, technology, and state intervention. He argued that the Government remains within the IMF-backed stabilization framework and cited improved macroeconomic indicators, while outlining policy work on cross-border e-commerce, VAT on foreign digital services, and environmental law reform. He also rejected allegations regarding high-cost “plug base” procurement, stating it related to industrial equipment for digital ID infrastructure procured under specified technical standards. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act - Salt Import Regulations (Gazette No. 2437/04) Read →
- 8 July 2025 The Hon. Chathura Galappaththi SJB AI summary Chathura Galappaththi criticized the Government’s handling of successive shortages in rice, coconut and salt, arguing that import decisions have been reactive and lacked foresight. Citing RTI-obtained data, he said imported salt cost about Rs. 75 per kilogram when released to private distributors, yet retailed at Rs. 200–400, and questioned why the Government and Consumer Affairs Authority had not imposed price controls or acted against excessive profiteering. He also rejected claims linking the Samagi Jana Balawegaya to privatization of Lanka Salt Ltd., and said production at Hambantota had nearly doubled after 2015 due to expansion of salt pan areas, urging swift action to address the current shortage. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act - Salt Import Regulations (Gazette No. 2437/04) Read →