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 June 2025 The Hon. Susil Ranasinghe JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, Susil Ranasinghe answered questions on the C/S Hiriyala Farmers’ Company, stating that Rs. 37,621,110 had been paid including compensation and interest, and that the original project was a pilot initiative for processing agricultural produce. He said the land had been leased for 30 years at Rs. 304,000 annually, but had not been properly developed and had been subleased without approval to outside parties, including Raigam (Wayamba) Cereals Ltd. He further stated that action to cancel the lease was being pursued due to breach of conditions, while taking account of the lease being mortgaged to Lankaputra Bank and related loan recovery and court settlement issues. Oral Question: Re-lease of Land in Mahaweli C Zone to Informatics (Pvt.) Limited (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) A.M.M.M. Rathwaththe JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) A.M.M.M. Rathwaththe asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation whether a 1,000-acre land in the Mahaweli “C” Zone leased to Informatics (Pvt.) Limited received a tax or lease concession upon renewal, allegedly causing a loss of Government revenue. She sought clarification on whether such a concession was legally permissible, the basis for granting it, and what measures would be taken to revise it. Oral Question: Re-lease of Land in Mahaweli C Zone to Informatics (Pvt.) Limited (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 18 June 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary The Minister said past approvals for tea factories were often granted without proper feasibility studies, harming nearby operations, and stated that the new Government will require such studies before approving new factories. He identified inadequate green leaf supply as a central problem and outlined a strategic plan to raise finished tea production from 262 million kilograms last year to 400 million kilograms by 2030. He said the Ministry plans to replant marginal tea lands, revive closed factories, and transparently allocate some to suitable investors through partnerships involving underutilized lands and public assets. He also said he would meet factory owners within a week to discuss their issues and possible Ministry relief. Oral Questions: Questions 1–2 (School Projects, Ministers' Answers and Supplementaries) and Q.633/2025 (stood down), Q.636/2025 (Limestone Transport), Q.715/2025 (Kukuleganga Access Road), Q.724/2025 (Suwaseya Ambulance Service), Q.792/2025 (Bus Route Permits), Minuwangoda Shopping Complex, Tea Factories, and Social Media Provisions Read →
- 18 June 2025 The Hon. Lal Premanath JJB AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath highlighted the continued global importance of “Ceylon Tea” and argued that some tea factory closures stem from poorly planned or unscientific establishment, while well-managed factories have remained resilient. He asked whether the Government has identified such nationally important, scientifically established factories and whether a special support programme or policy vision exists to strengthen their contribution to the tea industry. Oral Questions: Questions 1–2 (School Projects, Ministers' Answers and Supplementaries) and Q.633/2025 (stood down), Q.636/2025 (Limestone Transport), Q.715/2025 (Kukuleganga Access Road), Q.724/2025 (Suwaseya Ambulance Service), Q.792/2025 (Bus Route Permits), Minuwangoda Shopping Complex, Tea Factories, and Social Media Provisions Read →
- 18 June 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary The Minister rejected media reports claiming that hundreds of tea factories had closed under the NPP Government, stating that the remarks had been misreported and later corrected by officials. He said 213 factories had closed since 1986, including six in 2025, and attributed closures to longstanding issues such as management deficiencies and inadequate leaf supply rather than recent government action. Oral Questions: Questions 1–2 (School Projects, Ministers' Answers and Supplementaries) and Q.633/2025 (stood down), Q.636/2025 (Limestone Transport), Q.715/2025 (Kukuleganga Access Road), Q.724/2025 (Suwaseya Ambulance Service), Q.792/2025 (Bus Route Permits), Minuwangoda Shopping Complex, Tea Factories, and Social Media Provisions Read →
- 18 June 2025 The Hon. Lal Premanath JJB AI summary The Hon. Lal Premanath asked whether, since the National People’s Power took office, the Government had identified any special circumstances leading to the closure of tea factories. He referred to a claim by a senior tea-sector official that hundreds of factories had closed, noting that no such situation existed when he submitted the question. Oral Questions: Questions 1–2 (School Projects, Ministers' Answers and Supplementaries) and Q.633/2025 (stood down), Q.636/2025 (Limestone Transport), Q.715/2025 (Kukuleganga Access Road), Q.724/2025 (Suwaseya Ambulance Service), Q.792/2025 (Bus Route Permits), Minuwangoda Shopping Complex, Tea Factories, and Social Media Provisions Read →
- 18 June 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary Tea smallholders account for about 75 per cent of Sri Lanka’s total tea production, and there were 662 registered tea factories as of 2015, of which 567 were producing, with the highest numbers in Ratnapura, Nuwara Eliya, Kandy and Matara districts. The Minister stated that the Sri Lanka Tea Board inspects factories for new registrations, reactivations and renewals, and conducts monthly inspections covering production, processes and fair prices. He also said active factories may cease production temporarily or permanently due to management weaknesses, inadequate green leaf supply, ownership disputes, disasters, environmental issues or Tea Board suspensions under the Tea Control Act. Oral Questions: Questions 1–2 (School Projects, Ministers' Answers and Supplementaries) and Q.633/2025 (stood down), Q.636/2025 (Limestone Transport), Q.715/2025 (Kukuleganga Access Road), Q.724/2025 (Suwaseya Ambulance Service), Q.792/2025 (Bus Route Permits), Minuwangoda Shopping Complex, Tea Factories, and Social Media Provisions Read →
- 17 June 2025 The Hon. Harshana Suriyapperuma AI summary Hon. Harshana Suriyapperuma said Sri Lanka must respond to changing global conditions and regional tensions by diversifying markets and engaging with governments of all sizes. He cited ongoing discussions with the United States as constructive and said the Government’s aim is to secure favourable outcomes for exporters while opening alternative opportunities when access to traditional markets becomes constrained. Adjournment Debate: Trade Tariffs and Iran-Israel Conflict Impact Read →
- 17 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe stated that a programme has begun to grant LRC land permits and deeds to current occupants using such lands for housing or agriculture, with a target of at least 5,000 land titles in 2025. He added that the Government also plans to allocate at least 500 LRC land parcels for commercial, agricultural, and industrial investment projects in 2025, with the aim of contributing to economic value and growth. Oral Question Q.??/2025: Land Reform Commission Employee Land Grants Read →
- 17 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister, replying on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, confirmed the existence of CRIP study reports and a Gin–Nilwala Diversion Project report, prepared respectively by Atkins under the World Bank-assisted Climate Resilience Improvement Project and by China CAMC Engineering. He stated that CRIP studied 10 river basins, including the Gin basin, at a cost of USD 14.4 million, while USD 29.98 million had been spent on the Gin–Nilwala project, funded by the Government of Sri Lanka. He also outlined the earlier China-assisted Gin Ganga Flood Control Project implemented from 1976 to 1982 and noted that rehabilitation of its pumping stations, costing Rs. 700 million, was completed in 2021. Oral Question Q.??/2024: Gin River Overflow and Flood Management Read →
- 6 June 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake said Ministers should generally answer parliamentary Questions with reference to the date on which they were asked, but noted that Members often seek information on the current situation. Citing paddy procurement as an example, he argued that a rigid date-based approach may be impractical when circumstances have changed, and called for a common understanding to avoid confusion. Oral Question: Ambassadors and High Commissioners with Dual Citizenship Read →
- 6 June 2025 The Hon. Susil Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Susil Ranasinghe outlined a ten-week Mahaweli-related regional programme implemented across ten regions, aimed at improving links between officials, institutions, farmer organizations and communities while reviving Mahaweli operations at low cost. He stated that 1,689 activities were conducted at a cost of Rs. 52.75 million, and that progress is being reviewed through regional reports. Oral Question: Mahaweli Re-awakening Week (Q.619/2025) Read →
- 6 June 2025 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Asked for an update on the progress of 13 activities that have been initiated across ten Mahaweli regions under the relevant programme. The question sought the current implementation status as a second supplementary query. Oral Question: Mahaweli Re-awakening Week (Q.619/2025) Read →
- 6 June 2025 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Kins Nelson asked whether the “Mahaweli Re-awakening Programme,” begun in early 2025 in Anuradhapura and Mahaweli Zone “B,” includes effective implementation of land permit issuance. He noted that about 10,000 land recipients in Zone “B” still lack permits and requested details on whether a rapid programme will be started, whether it has already been implemented, and what action the Minister has taken. Oral Question: Mahaweli Re-awakening Week (Q.619/2025) Read →
- 6 June 2025 The Hon. Susil Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister, responding on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation to Question No. 619/2025, confirmed that the “Mahaweli Punaruda Sathiya” programme was implemented with objectives including accelerating Mahaweli development, poverty alleviation, infrastructure improvement, community participation, and alignment with the Clean Sri Lanka National Programme. He stated that Rs. 52.758 million was spent and listed activities undertaken, including voluntary work programmes, agricultural, fisheries, livestock, irrigation, road, community, environmental, medical, anti-drug, land development, and staff training initiatives. Oral Question: Mahaweli Re-awakening Week (Q.619/2025) Read →
- 6 June 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake urged the Minister not to close the Pelwatte and Sevanagala sugar factories, noting that Sri Lanka has few sugar factories remaining after closures such as Kantale. He proposed imposing VAT on imported white sugar while removing VAT on locally produced brown sugar, arguing that this would help resolve the problems facing the domestic sugar industry. Oral Question: State-Owned Sugar Companies (Q.191/2024) Read →
- 6 June 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake discussed ethanol pricing and the trade-off between importing cheaper ethanol from South Africa and protecting local ethanol factories. He noted that even when ethanol was supplied at Rs. 1,200 per litre under the previous government, liquor prices remained high, and questioned why bottle prices are now around Rs. 3,600 if ethanol costs do not justify such increases. Oral Question: State-Owned Sugar Companies (Q.191/2024) Read →
- 6 June 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Handunnetti argued that reductions in ethanol prices had not led to lower arrack prices, so increasing ethanol from Rs. 475 to Rs. 800 per litre should not justify higher retail prices or losses for distilleries. He said illicit liquor consumption remains significant and proposed granting licences to sugar and molasses producers such as Hingurana and Pelwatte to produce a low-priced legal product to compete with kasippu. He also alleged that certain Finance Ministry officials were influenced by distillery companies and said he would report the matter to the President, framing the ethanol price increase as necessary to protect farmers and the ethanol and sugar industries. Oral Question: State-Owned Sugar Companies (Q.191/2024) Read →
- 6 June 2025 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Rauff Hakeem warned that raising ethanol prices to offset losses of state sugar companies could increase legal alcohol prices and thereby encourage illicit liquor production. He said this would reduce excise revenue and risk missing government revenue targets, noting he had raised the issue with Excise Department officials at the Public Finance Committee. He urged the Minister to consult the Ministry of Finance on the revenue implications before proceeding. Oral Question: State-Owned Sugar Companies (Q.191/2024) Read →
- 6 June 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Handunnetti said there is no Government-held stock of 2,000–3,000 metric tons of expired sugar, and any old stocks in warehouses belong to buyers who have already paid but not collected them. He outlined measures to protect the domestic sugar industry, including a market plan, stricter Customs and standards checks to prevent brown sugar being imported or sold as white sugar, and action against concealed sugar imports. He also stated that ethanol imports will not be allowed, a minimum ethanol purchase price of Rs. 800 per litre has been set for distilleries, and payments to cane farmers and employee allowances have not been reduced. He referred to the closure of the Kantale Sugar Factory in 1993 and said similar decisions would not be taken regarding Hingurana, Pelwatte and Sevanagala. Oral Question: State-Owned Sugar Companies (Q.191/2024) Read →