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- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran JJB AI summary Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran outlined efforts to revive and repurpose major industrial assets in the Northern Province, including Kankesanthurai Cement, Achchuveli Salt, Paranthan Chemical, the Mankulam industrial estate, and the Ottusuddan Tile Factory. He noted plans to begin iodized salt production, address salt workers’ welfare through insurance and output-sharing, invite investors to Mankulam, and restart or rehabilitate long-dormant factories to create local employment. He also proposed expanding coconut cultivation and strengthening palmyrah-based cottage industries through market linkages, tourism promotion, digitization, and monitoring to support exports and artisan incomes. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB AI summary No formal national assessment of crop damage by wild animals was conducted in 2024, though HARTI had produced a semi-annual aggregate estimate in 2022 and a committee is now working on enumeration, expert recommendations, and district-level protective measures such as air rifles, electric nets and fences. The Ministry also said guidelines on human-wildlife coexistence are being prepared following a HARTI workshop with Agrarian Service Centres. As of end-2024, 13,207 agricultural firearms were in issue, and the price of a 12-bore SG cartridge had been reduced to Rs. 500.76 by lowering district agents’ sales margin from 30% to 20% with Defence Ministry intervention, in response to higher input costs, VAT and foreign exchange constraints. Oral Questions: Teachers' Service and Principals' Service Salary Anomalies (Q.502/2025), Estates in Badulla District Drinking Water Projects (Q.505/2025), Damage to Cultivations by Wild Animals (Q.498/2025) Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne stated that a loan issued in 2001 by the Mihintale Govijana Bank to the Limited Janatha Lanka Chilli Production and Marketing Farmers’ Company had been fully recovered as principal, but Rs. 1,975,233 in interest remains due and will be pursued under standard recovery procedures. He said an earlier decision not to recover interest had been revised, and notice had been issued to the company chairman, Mr. S. M. Chandrasena, to pay the outstanding amount. In response to supplementary questions, he said investigations are under way into fertilizer subsidy payments recorded as paid but not credited to farmers, including an alleged misappropriation of Rs. 2,934,310 affecting 155 farmers in Anuradhapura, with a CID complaint lodged and one officer arrested. Oral Question: Govijana Seva Bank, Mihintale - Loan Granted to Janatha Lanka Chillie Marketing Ltd. (Q.495/2025) Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. Upul Kithsiri JJB AI summary Hon. Upul Kithsiri stated that the Government’s first Budget gives special attention to wildlife conservation and the human-elephant conflict, including allocations of Rs. 400 million to reduce the conflict, Rs. 274 million for electric fences, and Rs. 160 million for wildlife feeding zones. He argued that fences alone are insufficient and that corridors, biodiversity-based methods, community support, and increased staffing for the Department of Wildlife Conservation are also needed. He highlighted the economic value of national parks and wildlife facilities, plans to develop additional national parks and elevate the Giritale Wildlife Research and Training Centre, and emphasized protection of Sri Lanka’s biodiversity and forest resources. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa called for a comprehensive, nonpartisan environmental policy framework, including a National Ecosystem Assessment, biodiversity valuation, clear conservation targets, a National Land Use Plan and a National Physical Plan. He proposed community-based conservation, circular economy measures, stronger action on pollution, plastics and deforestation, and evidence-based mitigation of human-wildlife conflict using technology, insurance and stable long-term planning. He urged Sri Lanka to use international climate and biodiversity conventions, green finance and eco-tourism opportunities, citing India’s Project Tiger, and proposed an international environmental university through a public-private partnership. He also asked for employment stability for wildlife volunteers and multipurpose development officers, and for systematic wildlife censuses that integrate credible private conservation data into national policy. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Hon. Kins Nelson proposed developing an access road from Angammedilla National Park to Wasgamuwa to retain tourists within Polonnaruwa, while requiring them to enter and exit via Angammedilla. He raised concerns about cattle being released into Maduru Oya National Park, impacts on wildlife habitat and human-elephant conflict, and called for designated environmentally appropriate areas for dairy cattle outside protected zones. He also requested regulated subsistence access for villagers near wildlife zones, support for small traditional gem miners, and the permanent absorption of experienced national park guides whose numbers have declined despite an allowance increase. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary Rs. 451 million has been recovered in lease rentals from 12 Fund-owned factories leased to operators, after the Fund had previously declined to a very low balance. Defaults by some lessees are being addressed through notices and engagement, with legal or administrative action proposed if payments do not resume. The Minister said the Fund will be comprehensively reviewed, and non-viable operators may be replaced with parties able to continue operations. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.504/2025, Q.510/2025, Q.483/2025, Q.493/2025) Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. Nishantha Perera JJB AI summary Hon. Nishantha Perera raised concerns about the decline of small tea-factory units under the Tea Shakthi Fund and noted that some leased factories have not generated the expected lease payments. He asked what action would be taken regarding those factories and the resulting financial losses. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.504/2025, Q.510/2025, Q.483/2025, Q.493/2025) Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the Tea Shakthi Fund was established in 2000 under Act No. 47 of 2000 and currently has about 140,000 members, including 94,425 share members. As of 1 February 2025, the Fund held Rs. 451.85 million in fixed deposits and bank balances. Planned uses include settling Rs. 208 million in shareholder liabilities, maintaining a Rs. 135 million welfare insurance fund for small tea holders, releasing Rs. 33 million in retained initial deposits when needed, and seeking Cabinet approval for concessional revolving credit schemes for tea replanting. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.504/2025, Q.510/2025, Q.483/2025, Q.493/2025) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Hasara Liyanage, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Hasara Liyanage argued that Sri Lanka had lacked a coherent tourism policy and national brand, and said the Government is addressing this through institutional reorganization and the proposed National Tourism Commission. She cited 600,000 tourist arrivals so far in 2025 and highlighted a Rs. 600 million Budget allocation under Clean Sri Lanka to improve sanitation, information centres, rest facilities and basic infrastructure at selected destinations. She emphasized expanding rural benefits through agro-, eco- and integrated tourism, and noted that a longstanding drinking water issue in Bentota is being addressed with expected results by May. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary On behalf of the Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Minister, the Deputy Minister detailed past sales and leases from Walahanduwa Estate in Galle, including allocations to Land Reforms Commission employees, the Akmeemana Multi-purpose Cooperative Society and one long-term leaseholder. He said proposed allocations to the Central Cultural Fund and the Walahanduwa Samurdhi Community Based Bank had been surveyed and valued but not completed, while no alienation had been made to the Tea Small Holdings Development Authority. He stated that Gazette Extraordinary No. 2271/25 of 15 March 2022 vested 401 hectares of the estate in the State Plantation Corporation, creating overlapping requests and leaving related land acquisition processes under the Land Acquisition Act still in progress with no payments made to date. Oral Question: Projects Planned on Land of Walahanduwa Estate, Galle (Q.255/2024) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation for details on planned subdivisions and project allocations at Walahanduwa Estate in Nugaduwa, Galle District. He sought information on the current status, expenditure, identified needs and expected benefits, which projects are considered essential, whether halted projects can be restarted, and the potential losses if they cannot proceed. Oral Question: Projects Planned on Land of Walahanduwa Estate, Galle (Q.255/2024) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Upali Samarasingha JJB AI summary Upali Samarasingha said domestic production shortfalls must be addressed through imports where necessary, while protecting farmers and ensuring consumers receive quality goods at fair prices. He noted that domestic supply had fallen from about 50% in 2019 to around 20% over the past four to five years, attributing the decline to administrative failures, and emphasized the need to manage the situation as the March harvest begins. Adjournment Motion: Control of Potato Imports During Harvesting Season Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake urged the Government to protect upcountry farmers during the harvest period by temporarily adjusting import taxes or pausing imports for one to two months. He disputed claims that farmers are receiving Rs. 280 per kilogram, stating that the price at Keppetipola is around Rs. 230, and called for immediate seasonal levies rather than references to past governments. Adjournment Motion: Control of Potato Imports During Harvesting Season Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Upali Samarasingha - Deputy Minister of Co-operative Development JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister responded on behalf of the absent Minister to concerns raised about potato farmers in Nuwara Eliya and Badulla, noting that Jaffna is also a significant cultivation area. He said the Government seeks to balance protection of domestic producers with fair prices and quality food for consumers, within a production-based economic policy and annual planning with relevant ministries and the private sector. He stated that because national consumption is about 200,000 MT while 2019 domestic production was 101,642 MT, imports remain necessary, but measures are needed to protect local producers during harvest periods. Adjournment Motion: Control of Potato Imports During Harvesting Season Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Dinindu Saman AI summary Hon. Dinindu Saman supported the proposal while arguing that such measures should be brought before problems emerge. He stated that the current Government had imposed a Rs. 60 per kg levy on imported potatoes since October 2024, describing it as the highest in five years, and contrasted this with levy changes in 2021 which he said benefited import lobbies rather than farmers. He cited past import dependence and declining domestic production, and said the Government is addressing the issue through technology, fair input prices, and soil and moisture conservation to improve yields. Adjournment Motion: Control of Potato Imports During Harvesting Season Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake moved an Adjournment Motion urging the Government to protect upcountry potato farmers during the March harvesting season in areas such as Badulla and Nuwara Eliya. He said high seed, chemical, fertilizer and labour costs, reduced yields, and import competition have left farmers without the relief given in past seasons. He requested the Ministry of Trade to either suspend potato imports for several months or impose a substantial import levy, while maintaining fair prices for consumers. Adjournment Motion: Control of Potato Imports During Harvesting Season Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB AI summary K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna stated that no immediate decision had been made on the issue under consideration, citing differing stakeholder views, macroeconomic implications and a possible Treasury burden, and said consultations would continue. He welcomed the increased allocation to the new Ministry in the Government’s first Budget debate and linked the Ministry’s work to the target of 3–3.5 per cent GDP growth in 2025. He thanked Ministry and parliamentary officials, plantation sector institutions, smallholders and workers, noting the sector’s foreign exchange contribution and the role of tea, coconut and rubber smallholders. He said the Ministry would pursue its national and strategic targets and that the sector was showing signs of recovery. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary The Minister clarified that the Spices and Allied Products Marketing Board is not being closed and that no employees have been terminated, though unprofitable outlets were shut and staff were directed to report to Colombo amid reported losses and irregular past recruitment. He said factory fires and the Batalanda issue raise questions of compensation, rebuilding, and accountability, emphasizing that punishment must occur through courts and not extra-legal detention. He also stated that coconut cultivation plans are constrained by current seed capacity, with about 2.568 million quality seed nuts targeted, and said proposals raised during the debate would be considered in the Ministry’s future work. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha urged a substantial expansion of coconut seedling production, stronger support for the Coconut Research Institute, fertilizer access for home gardens and smallholders, and long-term planning to improve yields, including in a proposed second coconut triangle in the North. He requested fair treatment of traditional temporary users of lands around the Kantale Sugar Factory when reallocations are made. He also called for any inquiry into the Batalanda events to be broadened to examine the wider violence of 1988–89 in an even-handed manner. He emphasized the continuing importance of export crops and asked the Ministry to help uplift plantation communities, particularly by moving them beyond line-room housing. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →