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- 22 May 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake marked Republic Day, arguing that Sri Lanka achieved full sovereignty on 22 May 1972 under the United Front Government. Referring to the Imports and Exports (Control) Act regulations and comments on Elephant Pass salt, he urged the Government not to diminish the military victory over the LTTE and to recognize soldiers as war heroes, citing key events from the conflict including the Indo-Lanka Accord, IPKF withdrawal, police massacres, assassinations, failed peace efforts, Mavil Aru, and wartime sacrifices. He also referenced the post-2019 fertilizer policy crisis, saying leaders must be told frankly to correct policy errors and avoid repeating mistakes that caused public unrest. Debate: Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969 and Disposal of Property Act Resolutions Read →
- 22 May 2025 The Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan ITAK AI summary Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan raised concerns that large areas of farmland in Trincomalee District have been demarcated or taken over by the Forest Department, Wildlife Department, Department of Archaeology, and as “Pooja Bhoomi,” preventing farmers from cultivating land used before and during the war years. He cited specific affected areas and acreage in Muttur, Seruwila, Verugal, Kuchchaveli and Thiriyaai, arguing that these restrictions cover over 236,000 acres and significantly reduce paddy production. He urged the relevant Ministry and Government to halt further demarcations, release the lands for cultivation, and support farmers’ livelihoods and domestic rice production. Debate: Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969 and Disposal of Property Act Resolutions Read →
- 22 May 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister stated that 12,450 metric tons of salt had been imported. Debate: Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969 and Disposal of Property Act Resolutions Read →
- 22 May 2025 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Rauff Hakeem criticized the Government’s handling of the presentation of Import and Export Control Regulations, arguing that such motions should be introduced by the responsible Minister, Deputy Minister, or Leader of the House to allow Opposition scrutiny and accountable answers. Referring to IMF and World Bank expectations on anti-corruption and governance, he questioned the recent importation of salt from India amid a domestic shortage, alleging that delays, licensing practices, and possible preferential treatment had enabled a “salt mafia.” He said Puttalam produces about half of Sri Lanka’s salt, yet shortages and price increases from around Rs. 130 to Rs. 350 per packet had burdened consumers, and called for investigation, early State monitoring, and timely policy action to prevent manipulation. Debate: Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969 and Disposal of Property Act Resolutions Read →
- 22 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni JJB AI summary The Ministry of Health and Mass Media, together with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation and other stakeholders, has held several meetings in 2025 on dog population control. The member said a committee is expected to prepare a concrete action plan and propose any necessary legal amendments or new regulations, with decisions anticipated in the near term. Oral Question: Sand Mining Permits and Stray Dog Control (Q.7/2025) Read →
- 22 May 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama JJB AI summary Prof. L.M. Abeywickrama raised concern that the stray dog population had become an acute crisis, citing incidents in Matara District involving attacks on calves, road accidents, and increased hospital costs from injuries and dog bites. He said earlier measures and proposals, including sterilization programmes, had ceased in 2025 and asked the Deputy Minister whether there is a short-term action plan to expedite control measures. Oral Question: Sand Mining Permits and Stray Dog Control (Q.7/2025) Read →
- 22 May 2025 The Hon. Sudath Balagalla JJB AI summary Hon. Sudath Balagalla alleged procedural irregularities and malpractice in the handling of a land matter involving farmer organizations in Badulla. He said a letter indicating that the organizations agreed to construct a building and had funds was suppressed, while another letter claimed they lacked funds and recommended the land be taken back by the State. He requested that all activities on the land be halted, a preliminary investigation be conducted, and the land be re-granted to the farmer organizations. Oral Question: Grant of State Land in Mahiyanganaya Town (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 22 May 2025 The Hon. Sudath Balagalla JJB AI summary Hon. Sudath Balagalla alleged that valuable state land originally intended for an agricultural equipment sales centre in the Girandurukotte/Mahiyanganaya area had been transferred through political influence rather than tender or auction. He questioned how land worth an estimated Rs. 300–400 million was registered to the 82-year-old father of a former UNP Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman, despite stated criteria focusing on economic production capacity, and requested an investigation into the alleged abuse. Oral Question: Grant of State Land in Mahiyanganaya Town (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 22 May 2025 The Hon. Sundaralingam Pradeep JJB AI summary Farmers with more than 20 perches have been identified for support to facilitate cultivation. The Tea Smallholders Development Authority is prepared to provide the necessary guidance and assistance. Oral Question: Tea Smallholders in Kalutara District (Q.3/2025) Read →
- 22 May 2025 The Hon. Danushka Ranganath JJB AI summary Hon. Danushka Ranganath asked whether the Government could support poor rural families in districts such as Kalutara, where farmers are shifting from rubber to tea due to quicker returns and climate conditions. He proposed identifying low-income families and assisting them, possibly through smallholder societies, to cultivate half-acre tea plots that could generate income within 18 to 24 months, and asked whether funds could be allocated in future budgets. Oral Question: Tea Smallholders in Kalutara District (Q.3/2025) Read →
- 22 May 2025 The Hon. Danushka Ranganath JJB AI summary Hon. Danushka Ranganath raised concerns about rural societies that provide benefits such as concessional fertilizer but, in some cases, operate irregularly with alleged corruption and malpractice by long-serving officials. He asked whether the rule requiring two years’ membership to become a president or office-bearer could be amended, possibly reduced to six months, to enable reorganization and better support smallholders. Oral Question: Tea Smallholders in Kalutara District (Q.3/2025) Read →
- 22 May 2025 The Hon. Sundaralingam Pradeep - Deputy Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister, the Deputy Minister provided figures on tea smallholders and production, stating that Kalutara District has 43,984 tea smallholders and produced 15.514 million kg of made tea in 2024, representing 7.86% of national smallholder production. He said there are 120 Tea Smallholding Development Societies and outlined the “Tea Shakthi” insurance benefit scheme, including eligibility through society membership and benefits for specified medical conditions, disability, accidental death and natural death. He also explained the procedures for society membership and the election of office bearers, including eligibility requirements, annual fees, two-year terms and reorganization under the Tea Smallholders Development Authority. Oral Question: Tea Smallholders in Kalutara District (Q.3/2025) Read →
- 22 May 2025 The Hon. Danushka Ranganath JJB AI summary Hon. Danushka Ranganath asked the Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure for details on tea smallholders in the Kalutara District, including their numbers, contribution to national tea exports, and the number of Tea Small Holding Development Societies providing fertilizer and equipment. He also sought information on welfare measures for smallholders, the procedures for membership enrolment and elections in those societies, and whether those details would be tabled in the House. Oral Question: Tea Smallholders in Kalutara District (Q.3/2025) Read →
- 22 May 2025 The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi thanked the Deputy Minister for the response but questioned the basis on which lands had been granted in the Embilipitiya Walawa Region under the Mahaweli Authority over the past decade. He alleged irregular allocations, including land granted under letters bearing Chamal Rajapaksa’s name, appointments made to suit ministerial interests, and plots obtained under the Dole Lanka brand, including 39 acres within the Embilipitiya paper mill premises. He requested an investigation or a committee review into recent land alienations to ensure limited land is allocated properly to genuine agricultural project implementers. Oral Question: Grant of Lands by Mahaweli Authority for Large-Scale Projects (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 22 May 2025 The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB AI summary Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation to explain the procedure used by the Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority when granting land for large-scale projects. He specifically sought details on the land extents allocated to Dole Lanka and Vita Organi for banana cultivation in the Chandrika Wewa Division of the Walawa Region, and asked whether the Minister acknowledged that proper procedure had not been followed in those allocations. Oral Question: Grant of Lands by Mahaweli Authority for Large-Scale Projects (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 21 May 2025 Hon. Nanda Bandara JJB AI summary Hon. Nanda Bandara supported the Orders relating to the embarkation levy and the luxury tax on vehicle imports, arguing that reducing the levy to USD 30 and waiving it for MRIA would help expand airport operations, tourism, and foreign reserves. He said the controlled reopening of vehicle imports and the increase of the luxury tax threshold from Rs. 3.5 million to Rs. 5 million were intended to provide relief while protecting dollar reserves. He linked these measures to the Government’s broader programme of reducing state expenditure, curbing corruption, attracting investment, strengthening agriculture and SMEs, and preparing for debt repayments from 2027. He also invited constructive Opposition proposals while rejecting what he described as destructive criticism. Debate: Finance Act Order and Notification on Luxury Tax on Motor Vehicles - Continued (Afternoon Session) Read →
- 21 May 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam urged the Government to operationalize the completed but unused Vavuniya Economic Centre, built with 52 stalls at a cost of Rs. 263 million, to help farmers sell produce at fair prices. He argued that the North and East face a compounded economic burden from the war, with many widows, orphans, disabled persons, displaced families, and affected communities still lacking adequate development support 16 years after 2009. He called for practical measures including releasing unused lands held by the Forest Department for cultivation, improving access to finance, facilitating investors, and implementing quick programmes to help people become economically self-reliant. He also referred to India’s reported US$62 million grant for Kankesanthurai Port development and highlighted the need to improve its basic facilities. Debate: Finance Act Order and Notification on Luxury Tax on Motor Vehicles - Continued (Afternoon Session) Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa clarified that his earlier point distinguished between “potential capacity” and the capacity actually realizable under prevailing climatic conditions. He stated that his concern was with realizable output after accounting for weather-related impacts. Debate: Finance Act Order - Continued Discussion (Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary Annual salt consumption is about 180,000 metric tonnes, while national production capacity is around 200,000 metric tonnes in a good year across public entities, cooperatives and private firms. Due to weather-related reductions in actual output, imports were required on this occasion. Debate: Finance Act Order - Continued Discussion (Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi SJB AI summary Dilip Wedaarachchi disputed a claim or statement related to salt shortages, drawing on his experience growing up in Hambantota. He said that despite heavy rainfall for eight months of the year, salt had never run out there, and questioned why false statements were being made. Debate: Finance Act Order - Continued Discussion (Multiple Speakers) Read →