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- 20 June 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake argued that Sri Lanka’s high rice prices are driven not only by harvesting, selling, and milling issues, but also by comparatively low paddy yields. He noted that countries such as Cambodia and Thailand achieve around 7,000 kg per hectare while Sri Lanka obtains about 4,500 kg, and asked why farmers cannot be provided with higher-yielding seed paddy. Oral Question: Paddy Marketing Board - Purchase of Paddy (Q.310/2024) Read →
- 20 June 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne JJB AI summary Hon. Namal Karunaratne responded that his position was consistent with that of Lal Kantha and said the Government had begun addressing shortcomings in paddy procurement and storage from the Maha season, with fuller intervention planned for the Yala season. He stated that refurbishment of neglected Paddy Marketing Board stores was about 75% complete, 133 closed BAG stores had been reopened, and more would be opened with a more systematic procurement process and mechanisms for entrepreneur participation. He also said investigations and legal action were underway over alleged thefts and asset destruction at the Paddy Marketing Board under the previous Government, with recoveries being pursued. Oral Question: Paddy Marketing Board - Purchase of Paddy (Q.310/2024) Read →
- 20 June 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake argued that the Paddy Marketing Board’s limited purchasing, around 3% of Maha season output, prevents the establishment of a fair paddy price and has allowed market distortion by large purchasers. He asked the Deputy Minister to identify the top paddy buyers and proposed using existing bank lending to support about 4,000 youth entrepreneurs, each handling 50,000 kg, as a structural solution. He urged the Government to adopt the “radical change” it has promised and take up this entrepreneurship-based approach. Oral Question: Paddy Marketing Board - Purchase of Paddy (Q.310/2024) Read →
- 20 June 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne JJB AI summary The member stated that annexures tabled in the House contain the requested names and details, including dates of birth to be verified. He confirmed that since the 2021/22 Maha season, paddy has been purchased through five regional Paddy Marketing Board boards, milled by small and medium-scale millers under contract, and distributed as rice through Sathosa. He added that this programme could continue with Government intervention. Oral Question: Paddy Marketing Board - Purchase of Paddy (Q.310/2024) Read →
- 20 June 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake requested the Deputy Minister to identify the three entities that purchased the largest share of paddy, stating that they accounted for 68 per cent of purchases. Oral Question: Paddy Marketing Board - Purchase of Paddy (Q.310/2024) Read →
- 20 June 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne provided, on behalf of the Minister, statistical details on Paddy Marketing Board operations, including its establishment date, district-wise paddy purchases for 2022–2024, and the number of purchasing centres and storage facilities available for the 2024/25 Maha season. He stated that PMB purchases fell sharply after 2022, from 78,360.81 MT worth Rs. 6,747.23 million to 2,153.924 MT in 2023 and 2,757.525 MT in 2024, with 133 purchasing centres and 353 storage facilities identified nationwide. He also gave district-wise percentages of total harvest purchased by the Government for 2022 and 2023, noted that 2025 data were not yet available, and said further information on State bank lending to mills and rice distribution would be provided separately once compiled. Oral Question: Paddy Marketing Board - Purchase of Paddy (Q.310/2024) Read →
- 20 June 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation for detailed information on the Paddy Marketing Board, including its establishment date, district-wise paddy purchases, procurement centres, storage facilities, and the Government’s share of total harvest purchases over the past three years. He also sought data on State bank financing to paddy mill owners, their purchases by quantity and value, and whether a district-level system would be introduced to convert paddy into rice and distribute it. Oral Question: Paddy Marketing Board - Purchase of Paddy (Q.310/2024) Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa JJB AI summary Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa called for COPE to expose past corruption, including alleged fraud linked to dairy cow imports and local government bodies, and urged punishment and confiscation of illicit assets. He argued that Sri Lanka should have improved local dairy breeds using available technologies and fodder rather than pursuing imports that failed to increase milk production as expected. He rejected Opposition allegations of deals to form local councils, saying members from other parties had voluntarily joined the ruling side, and said voters in the East were moving away from communal politics toward a new political culture. Adjournment Debate: Special Audit Report on Advance Payment for Import of 15,000 Dairy Cattle and COPE Report on National Gem and Jewellery Authority Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha argued that Sri Lanka’s gem and jewellery sector underperforms despite substantial natural resources, citing low export earnings compared with hubs such as Hong Kong and Bangkok. Referring to COPE findings on the National Gem and Jewellery Authority, he said its outsourced planning, lack of rolling five-year plans, staff vacancies, and inadequate enforcement capacity undermine development and regulation. He proposed strengthening recruitment, filling key posts, improving exploration beyond traditional gem areas, adopting modern technologies, and rotating enforcement officers at least every four years to reduce malpractice, with the aim of reaching a USD 1 billion gem economy by 2027 and USD 5 billion thereafter. Adjournment Debate: Special Audit Report on Advance Payment for Import of 15,000 Dairy Cattle and COPE Report on National Gem and Jewellery Authority Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Lalith Kumara JJB AI summary Hon. Chaminda Lalith Kumara said the COPE report revealed serious financial misconduct in dairy cow importation and distribution, including advance payments for animals that did not arrive and politically influenced allocation of imported cattle. He linked the decline of the dairy sector to cattle theft, unsuitable imports, and political misuse of officials, citing incidents in Gampaha and warnings from veterinary officers. He proposed that local authorities use mechanized equipment to harvest roadside grass for dairy feed or compost, arguing this could support national dairy self-sufficiency, and said the Government should enforce the law against those responsible for losses to public wealth. Adjournment Debate: Special Audit Report on Advance Payment for Import of 15,000 Dairy Cattle and COPE Report on National Gem and Jewellery Authority Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Nihal Galappaththi JJB AI summary Nihal Galappaththi argued that the Phase III dairy cow import project caused major public financial losses and failed to meet its objectives of increasing domestic milk production and reducing milk powder imports. Citing a 2025 Special Audit Report, media reports, and a 2018 Hansard adjournment debate, he alleged that Rs. 1.75 billion in advances, rising to about Rs. 2.11 billion with losses, was paid without proper procurement safeguards or recovery action, while farmers faced operational difficulties and imported cows had poor productivity and health issues. He said responsibility lay with political leaders and officials from the 2010–2020 administrations, naming several former Presidents, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, and officials, and referred to allegations that cows intended for farmers were distributed to political associates. Adjournment Debate: Special Audit Report on Advance Payment for Import of 15,000 Dairy Cattle and COPE Report on National Gem and Jewellery Authority Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) S. Sri Bavanandarajah JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) S. Sri Bavanandarajah referred to COPE and Auditor General findings on financial abuses, focusing on the failed import of 15,000 dairy cows and alleging waste, disease risks, farmer losses, and a USD 11 million corruption-related loss. He argued that those responsible should be punished and said Sri Lanka should reduce reliance on imported milk by developing modern farms, importing climate-suitable breeds, controlling cattle feed prices, and supporting cooperatives such as Yarlco. He also proposed reviving defunct chilling centres in the North and East, filling veterinary and related staff vacancies in Jaffna District, and providing medicines, equipment, and grazing land to strengthen local dairy production. Adjournment Debate: Special Audit Report on Advance Payment for Import of 15,000 Dairy Cattle and COPE Report on National Gem and Jewellery Authority Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK AI summary Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran addressed the Adjournment Debate on the dairy cow import audit and COPE Report, highlighting inadequate domestic milk production, unallocated grazing lands in Ampara, and losses caused by earlier imports of poor-quality cattle. He urged the Government to assess the economic impact of the Iran-Israel conflict, assist efforts to end the war, and establish a mechanism to return or compensate jewellery pledged by Tamils in LTTE-controlled areas before 2009. He also questioned what investments and employment had been provided to the North and East since the Government took office, and called for non-discriminatory coastal protection measures in Ampara and Batticaloa, warning that selective groyne construction and proposed ilmenite mining could worsen sea erosion. Adjournment Debate: Special Audit Report on Advance Payment for Import of 15,000 Dairy Cattle and COPE Report on National Gem and Jewellery Authority Read →
- 19 June 2025 Hon. T. B. Sarath JJB AI summary Hon. T. B. Sarath alleged major irregularities in the dairy cow import project initiated from 2014, citing a Rs. 2,110.3 million unrecoverable loss, increased unit costs without fresh tender approval, and distribution of imported cattle to political associates rather than state farms. He also referred to unrecovered housing loan funds, including Rs. 26 billion outstanding nationally, arguing that such corruption and misuse of public funds contributed to the country’s economic crisis. He called for stolen public money to be traced, offenders prosecuted, and COPE to be given stronger enforcement powers, including authority to impose penalties. Adjournment Debate: Special Audit Report on Advance Payment for Import of 15,000 Dairy Cattle and COPE Report on National Gem and Jewellery Authority Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. T. B. Sarath - Deputy Minister of Housing JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister argued that investigations into past frauds should pursue the main perpetrators rather than only minor actors. Referring to the Israel–Iran conflict, he said the Opposition should present practical alternatives instead of creating public panic over possible shortages. Turning to the dairy sector, he noted that Sri Lanka’s annual milk demand is about 801 million litres while domestic production is around 370–380 million litres, and called for strengthening local production capacity and avoiding past procurement failures. Adjournment Debate: Special Audit Report on Advance Payment for Import of 15,000 Dairy Cattle and COPE Report on National Gem and Jewellery Authority Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi JJB AI summary Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi discussed the COPE findings on the dairy cattle import project, stating that despite audit warnings in 2018 and losses from earlier imports, authorities continued with the same supplier and paid a Rs. 1,749.6 million advance for 15,000 cattle without a performance bond, resulting in an estimated sunk cost of about Rs. 2,110.3 million by February 2025. He said the policy objective of increasing local milk production and reducing imports was valid, but the procurement process and implementation were flawed. He also referred to COPE concerns regarding alleged misuse of funds at the National Youth Services Council and Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, and missing or non-functional equipment at the National Gem and Jewellery Authority, calling for investigations, accountability, restoration of technology, and stronger institutional systems. Adjournment Debate: Special Audit Report on Advance Payment for Import of 15,000 Dairy Cattle and COPE Report on National Gem and Jewellery Authority Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB AI summary Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna supported focusing the Adjournment debate on COPE’s findings regarding the NGJA and the 2014 dairy cattle import project, rather than other issues. He said Sri Lanka’s milk production remains far below demand, but the cattle import programme was mishandled, including alleged improper procurement, a Rs. 1.74 billion advance to Wellard Rural Exports without delivery of cattle, disease-related cattle deaths, and politically connected beneficiaries. He urged Parliament to debate COPE’s recommendations and called for firm legal action against those responsible. Adjournment Debate: Special Audit Report on Advance Payment for Import of 15,000 Dairy Cattle and COPE Report on National Gem and Jewellery Authority Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB AI summary Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake seconded the Motion to debate COPE-related reports, focusing on the Special Audit Report concerning advance payments for the Phase III import of 15,000 dairy cattle and related failures since 2014. He said the project involved major expenditure and advance payments but did not deliver the expected cattle or outcomes, while earlier imports had caused disease outbreaks and losses due to inadequate feasibility and management. He urged modernization of NLDB farms, stronger breeding, nutrition, disease control, vaccination, breeder associations, and incentives for liquid milk consumption, with the goal of achieving milk self-sufficiency by 2030 and preventing future fraud and corruption. Adjournment Debate: Special Audit Report on Advance Payment for Import of 15,000 Dairy Cattle and COPE Report on National Gem and Jewellery Authority Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri thanked the Minister for using the President’s Fund to assist children affected by elephant attacks. He raised concerns that public and private institutions continue to operate within the Alahera-Girithale sanctuary despite its declaration in 2000, and questioned why the Wildlife Department is blocking the funded Digavela anicut, under 100 metres in length, when it would help water-scarce long-standing farmers at Pekkulama and the much larger Alahera Maha Ela project is proceeding. Oral Question: Wild Elephant Conservation and Red Data Book Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Anton Jayakody JJB AI summary Anton Jayakody said the Government has introduced support from 1 January 2025 for the education of children when a household head dies in an elephant attack, with compensation administered through Divisional and District Secretariats. He said the Government would consider issuing the Red Data Book annually and outlined ongoing human-elephant conflict mitigation measures, including improving forest forage and water sources, maintaining habitats, expanding electric fencing, and regularizing over 3,500 workers to maintain fences. Oral Question: Wild Elephant Conservation and Red Data Book Read →