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- 9 April 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary The motion sought parliamentary approval for the National Livestock Development Board’s Annual Report for 2019, including the Auditor-General’s observations for the year ending 31 December 2019. It was moved on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation under Section 23 of the State Agricultural Corporations Act, following consideration by the relevant Ministerial Consultative Committee. The motion was agreed to. Debate: Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading (Afternoon Session and Reported Business) Read →
- 9 April 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the VAT (Amendment) Bill seeks to improve revenue administration, clarify definitions from 1 January 2024, prevent misuse in areas such as agriculture, and bring aircraft engines, parts, and non-resident digital service suppliers within the VAT framework while maintaining exemptions for international air transport. He said VAT would be removed from domestically produced liquid milk and yoghurt, anomalies on naphtha used for power generation would be corrected, and changes to service export income tax were separate from VAT on non-resident e-services. He also outlined plans to phase out the Simplified VAT system by improving refund mechanisms, with a July simulation linked to the IMF programme and a target date of 1 October subject to readiness. Debate: Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading (Afternoon Session and Reported Business) Read →
- 9 April 2025 The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran called for policy action to reduce VAT on essential foods such as rice, sugar, flour and dhal. He raised concerns over illegal fishing practices, alleged official complicity, narcotics trafficking by sea, Indian trawler incursions, bottom trawling, and environmental damage affecting fishing communities in Mullaitivu, Mannar, Kilinochchi and Jaffna. He urged ministerial intervention under the Clean Sri Lanka programme, warning that continued inaction could lead to public protests, and questioned coastal mining and aquaculture projects that he said displace fishers and damage livelihoods. Debate: Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading (Afternoon Session and Reported Business) Read →
- 9 April 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that VAT should be collected throughout the supply chain, including from feed vendors and large traders, while small producers below the threshold remain exempt and can claim input VAT where applicable. He said the Government aims to protect small producers and address structural issues in production costs, while using VAT revenue to fund public services and infrastructure. He also explained changes to Withholding Tax, noting that monthly interest income up to Rs. 150,000 is exempt and deductions apply only to higher interest earners, with declarations available for eligible depositors. Debate: Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading (Afternoon Session and Reported Business) Read →
- 9 April 2025 The Hon. Wijesiri Basnayake JJB AI summary Wijesiri Basnayake supported the VAT (Amendment) Bill, arguing that tax revenue is necessary to fund public services and development while noting Sri Lanka’s low tax-to-GDP ratio and past failures to broaden the tax base or improve collection. He criticized the Opposition for opposing VAT without explaining alternative funding sources and linked current export vulnerabilities to long-term failures in export diversification. He outlined amendments including zero-rating employer-provided meals and transport, reinsurance commissions, and revenue stamps; clarifying VAT treatment of unprocessed agricultural products and the Rs. 60 million turnover threshold; and exemptions for certain aircraft parts, chemical naphtha for CEB power generation, and locally produced milk and yoghurt. Debate: Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading (Afternoon Session and Reported Business) Read →
- 9 April 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Gunawardana JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Gunawardana supported the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, outlining the history of VAT rate increases and stating that the 2024 increase to 18 per cent was made by the previous administration. He said the amendments aim to address gaps in the VAT regime, raise revenue toward a 2025 target of 15.1 per cent of GDP, and align with the Government’s policy framework. He highlighted exemptions for employer-provided meals and transport, and for domestically produced liquid milk and yoghurt from 1 April 2025, arguing these would support worker welfare, reduce prices, strengthen local dairy production, reduce imports, and assist nutrition. Debate: Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading (Afternoon Session and Reported Business) Read →
- 8 April 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam raised concerns about farmers’ access to fields, stating that the road requires immediate rehabilitation and that crossing the Paranki Aru anicut becomes impossible during the rainy season due to submergence. He requested provision in the current year’s budget for at least a footbridge if a full bridge cannot be built, and called for sluices to be repositioned, arguing that farmers had been misled about water reaching the tanks because of elevation differences. Oral Question: Drinking Water Supply Vavuniya (424/2025) Read →
- 8 April 2025 Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB AI summary Hon. Anura Karunathilaka stated that temporary permits had been issued, Cabinet approval for land grants obtained, and the Divisional Secretariat was continuing the grant process. He said irrigation constraints around Periyaru tank were due to elevation differences, but Provincial funds had enabled water supply to three tanks and transplanting. He undertook to refer access road improvements and the elephant issue to the relevant Ministers and to alert the Divisional Secretary regarding possible road allocations. Oral Question: Drinking Water Supply Vavuniya (424/2025) Read →
- 8 April 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam said affected persons from a project completed 13 years ago still hold only temporary permits and have been resettled in forest areas vulnerable to elephant incursions, asking whether funds will be allocated for protective measures. He also raised irrigation defects, stating that newly interconnected tanks have improperly positioned sluices that prevent water from reaching higher fields, and requested their repositioning. He further asked whether a 3 km access road, currently unusable in rainy seasons, could be rehabilitated under Budget allocations for Northern rural roads. Oral Question: Drinking Water Supply Vavuniya (424/2025) Read →
- 8 April 2025 Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing JJB AI summary The Minister responded to questions on alternative land and support measures related to an affected project area in Vavuniya, stating that temporary permits have been issued, Cabinet approval obtained for grants, and work is proceeding through the Divisional Secretariat with irrigation and road works accepted by farmers. He said agreed employment for 18 affected family members at the National Water Supply and Drainage Board requires approval due to recruitment restrictions, while they will be prioritized for labour contract vacancies in the interim. He also reported that a feasibility study found surplus water from the Periyaru tank cannot technically be released to certain higher-elevation renovated tanks, but provincial-funded interconnections among other tanks and canals have enabled water supply and paddy transplantation. Oral Question: Drinking Water Supply Vavuniya (424/2025) Read →
- 8 April 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam asked the Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing about unresolved issues arising from the ADB-assisted drinking water project for Vavuniya Town implemented in 2010–2011, including land acquisition and commitments under a 2013 tripartite agreement. He sought clarification on delays in providing permits, irrigation and access roads for alternative lands, priority employment for affected farmer families, and arrangements to channel surplus anicut water to renovated Agrarian Development tanks, and asked what measures the Government would take if these issues were acknowledged. Oral Question: Drinking Water Supply Vavuniya (424/2025) Read →
- 8 April 2025 Ministerial Consultative Committee on Fisheries, Aquatic and Marine Resources AI summary The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Fisheries, Aquatic and Marine Resources met on 8 April 2025 under the chairmanship of Hon. Ramalingam Chandraseker. The record lists the Members of Parliament who participated in the committee proceedings, but does not provide details of specific issues discussed, decisions taken, or recommendations made. Opening: Parliament commencement, President's Message, Announcements, and Committee Listings Read →
- 8 April 2025 Ministerial Consultative Committee on Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation AI summary The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation met on 8 April 2025 under the chairmanship of Hon. K. D. Lal Kantha, with participation from government and opposition Members. The listing records the committee’s membership/attendance but does not provide details of any specific discussion, questions, recommendations, or decisions taken at the meeting. Opening: Parliament commencement, President's Message, Announcements, and Committee Listings Read →
- 8 April 2025 Ministerial Advisory Committee on Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources AI summary The Ministerial Advisory Committee on Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources for 8 April 2025 was constituted with Hon. Ramalingam Chandraseker as Chairman and the listed Members serving on the Committee. The entry records the membership of the Committee rather than a debate speech, proposal, or policy argument. Opening: Parliament commencement, President's Message, Announcements, and Committee Listings Read →
- 8 April 2025 Ministerial Advisory Committee on Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation AI summary The Ministerial Advisory Committee on Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation met on 08 April 2025 under the chairmanship of Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha. The listed Members participated in the committee’s proceedings concerning matters within the agriculture, livestock, lands and irrigation portfolios. Opening: Parliament commencement, President's Message, Announcements, and Committee Listings Read →
- 21 March 2025 The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Amila Prasad raised sector-specific concerns affecting betel cultivators, the pottery industry, cashew growers, cane/bamboo crafts, cooperative investors, digital scam victims, and coconut oil-related revenue fraud, asking relevant ministries to ease regulations, investigate abuses, provide training and inputs, and introduce legislation where needed. He questioned the Government’s approach to revenue generation, dollar inflows, and IMF-related policy, while crediting the previous administration’s role in stabilizing the economy. He also warned that new US-China trade tensions could affect Sri Lanka through increased competition from Chinese goods and higher input costs, and urged the Government to outline concrete trade and economic responses, including bilateral and free trade arrangements. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Read →
- 21 March 2025 The Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha - Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary The Minister stated that support would also be extended to other secondary crops cultivated during the Yala season. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Read →
- 21 March 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that the Government had not promised a fertilizer subsidy for the last Maha season or a fuel subsidy for fishermen in its election manifesto. He said, however, that both subsidies were nevertheless provided, and responded to Opposition references to the Government’s manifesto by saying the Government had not forgotten its commitments. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Read →
- 21 March 2025 The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran called on the Government to ensure a fair price for milk, support dairy farmers, and establish dairy and milk powder plants to increase production. He requested that livelihoods in Alayadivembu and Thirukkovil not be adversely affected, and urged the Government to address unemployment among arts, fine arts, and commerce graduates through job provision and education or training aligned with technology, digital, and biotech sectors. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Read →
- 21 March 2025 The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran argued that sound financial planning and targeted investment are needed to rebuild the economy, noting that the North and East have received low allocations and that war-affected factories should be reopened to create employment. He opposed proposed mineral sand testing and extraction at Thirukkovil by the private company Damsila, warning of impacts on coastal dunes, fisheries, mangroves, coconut cultivation, paddy lands, tourism and river ecology. He also requested that the Government protect 4,000 acres of pasture land at Vattamadu from cultivation, provide additional land for cattle farmers, and establish dairy processing facilities to support milk production. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Read →