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- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP AI summary Chanaka Madugoda corrected an earlier statement, clarifying that his thanks were directed to the staff of the Coconut Cultivation Board rather than the Coconut Development Authority. He commended the Board’s efforts in addressing diseases and outbreaks affecting coconut cultivation, including whitefly, and offered an apology for the mistake. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP AI summary Hon. Chanaka Madugoda said the Budget allocations for plantation development are inadequate for Galle District’s large smallholder tea and cinnamon sectors, despite welcoming support for coconut rehabilitation and disease control. He proposed returning the Cinnamon Development Department to the Department of Export Agriculture, citing high rent costs and inadequate technical staffing, and requested increased tea replanting support from Rs. 600,000 to about Rs. 1 million per hectare. He also called for fertilizer subsidies and easier fertilizer access for tea and coconut growers, removal of regulatory barriers to inputs, and action on estate workers’ wages and infrastructure needs in Galle. 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 JJB AI summary K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna said the Government would investigate the matters raised and take action against corruption regardless of rank, while allowing investigations and courts to determine responsibility, including among officials and Opposition members. He undertook to trace any Ministry recommendation relating to chilli cultivation and stated that 400,000 kg of fertilizer had been allocated to Batticaloa, to be sold at Rs. 4,000 per bag with a Rs. 5,000 subsidy. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam questioned the adequacy and implementation of coconut support in Batticaloa, noting that seedlings alone are insufficient because palms take five to eight years to yield and calling for sustained assistance and delivery of promised hybrid seedlings. He criticized changes in stated positions on estate wages and urged support for non-paddy farmers, including onion, chilli and greenhouse cultivators, who do not receive the same concessions as registered paddy farmers. He also alleged that Plantation Ministry recommendations had been misused in Muttur and Safinagar to obtain land for chilli cultivation, divert Mahaweli water and enable illegal sand mining, and asked the Minister to investigate related officials, including the reappointment of Sajjana de Silva despite adverse legal advice. 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 JJB AI summary K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna clarified that the Russian grant fertilizer had not yet been released and said a separate fertilizer distribution programme for coconut landowners with under five acres would provide 56,700 metric tons islandwide by the end of the month through an application process. He stated that funds had been allocated to the Coconut Research Institute to address whitefly and Weligama leaf wilt, while emphasizing the need for landowner participation alongside government support. He also undertook to examine the specific issue raised regarding Batticaloa. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam questioned the adequacy and practicality of the Government’s coconut development measures, citing Batticaloa District as an example. He said around 400,000 of the district’s 800,000 coconut palms are affected by whitefly disease, yet only 50 litres of neem oil and 5,000 kg of fertilizer have been provided. He argued that plans for new seedlings under the Northern Coconut Triangle will take years to yield results and urged an actionable plan to protect existing coconut trees and clarify future fertilizer distribution. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Danushka Ranganath JJB AI summary Hon. Danushka Ranganath supported the 2025 Budget allocation for the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Community Infrastructure Facilities, highlighting its focus on sustainable plantation development, export growth, and improving the socio-economic conditions of plantation communities. He outlined rubber-sector targets, including expanded cultivation, replanting, quality plant distribution, rain guards, income diversification, and measures to address New Leaf Fall disease through government intervention and research. He requested increased allocations for estate community infrastructure and specifically urged action on 17 landslide-risk houses in Maragahadeniya Estate, Palindanuwara, which have remained unresolved since 2017. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake said estate companies were neglecting maintenance, cutting estate trees for firewood, overusing herbicides, and failing to invest in fertilizer, drains, terracing and weeding, leading to deterioration in the plantation sector. He noted a sharp decline in estate labour as youth move to tourism or better-paid work in Colombo, leaving only areas with fewer alternatives still dependent on estate employment. He urged the Minister to deliver visible results for plantation communities, arguing that expectations in the Province are now focused on the Minister and that stronger powers, including over lands, would have improved implementation. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake criticized the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Community Infrastructure Facilities for not yet delivering on its stated promises, particularly on controlling coconut prices and addressing crop damage by monkeys and langurs. He questioned the Government’s wildlife census and called for concrete action on animal-related agricultural losses. He noted that key plantation-related institutions and lands are no longer under this Ministry, urged stronger support for estate workers demanding a wage increase from Rs. 1,350 to Rs. 1,750, and said estate communities that voted for the Government are awaiting solutions to housing, wages and livelihoods. 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 Minister Samantha Viddyarathna outlined the scale of the plantation sector and said the Ministry’s Rs. 17,888 million allocation, including Rs. 12,038 million in capital expenditure, would support reforms in coconut, tea and rubber. He said the coconut sector faces an acute shortage due to past planning and governance failures, cited alleged misuse of plantation assets, and announced a 10-year coconut plan, a national plantation policy and a coconut master plan to be submitted to Cabinet. He set production and export targets for coconut, including raising output to 4,200 million nuts and exports to USD 1.5 billion by 2030, supported by replanting, seedlings, subsidized fertilizer, pest-control grants, irrigation and development of the Northern Coconut Triangle. On tea, he said Sri Lanka had lost international standing and that the Government would focus on smallholders, fertilizer support, quality improvement and policy changes to reverse the decline. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka moved the traditional token cut to the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure’s expenditure and outlined the historical and economic importance of tea, coconut, rubber, cinnamon and kitul. He said the plantation sector faces labour shortages, weak coordination among institutions, climate impacts, rising input costs and international competition, with particular concerns over declining tea replanting, factory closures, coconut price increases, rubber crop difficulties and low returns in cinnamon and kitul. He called for better coordination among plantation bodies, fertilizer and pest-control support, and practical short- and long-term measures to protect growers, workers, consumers and export earnings. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. T.B. Sarath - Deputy Minister of Housing JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Nilwala salinity barrier, built as part of a Rs. 3,000 million water supply project intended to serve about 800,000 people, has caused serious post-construction flooding impacts, damaging more than 20,000 acres of farmland. He outlined immediate measures including widening openings, removing a temporary sandbag barrier, and clearing river obstructions, while a University of Peradeniya team will conduct a comprehensive study with input from engineers, farmers and the public. He said the Government will convene a broader discussion with Matara District MPs and allocate funds for a durable, scientifically based solution. Adjournment Motion: Mitigation of Floods Caused by Nilwala Salinity Barrier Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. Arkam Ilyas JJB AI summary Hon. Arkam Ilyas seconded the Adjournment Motion on recurrent flooding in the Nilwala River basin, noting severe impacts on several Matara District divisional areas, paddy lands, public property, and towns. He questioned the effectiveness of the downstream salinity barrier and past incomplete river development projects, and proposed an expert committee including state agencies, engineers, and affected communities to identify solutions. He also suggested short-term relief measures such as partial removal of sheet piles near the salinity barrier and widening a temporary canal, while calling for speedy and sustainable flood, drinking water, and irrigation solutions. Adjournment Motion: Mitigation of Floods Caused by Nilwala Salinity Barrier Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama JJB AI summary Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama raised an Adjournment Matter on the salinity barrier constructed in 2022 in the lower reaches of the Nilwala River in Matara, stating that it has worsened flooding and disrupted livelihoods, transport, paddy cultivation and other activities across six downstream Divisional Secretary’s Divisions. He said the project had disregarded EIA and technical recommendations, reduced the river cross-section, and led to costly temporary measures, including over Rs. 100 million spent on pumping water. He called for an immediate joint process involving the Department of Irrigation, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board, the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka, and farmer organizations to agree and implement corrective measures. Adjournment Motion: Mitigation of Floods Caused by Nilwala Salinity Barrier Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha JJB AI summary Moved that Parliament approve the Land Reform Commission’s 2021 Annual Report, together with the Auditor General’s observations, under the Land Reform Law, No. 1 of 1972. He noted that the report had been considered by the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Food Security and Agriculture and subsequently presented to Parliament; the motion was agreed to. Papers on Annual Reports - MILCO and Land Reform Commission Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha JJB AI summary Moved approval of the Land Reform Commission’s Annual Reports for 2015 to 2020 under the Land Reform Law, No. 1 of 1972, along with the Auditor General’s observations presented in July 2023. The motion noted prior consideration by the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Food Security and Agriculture in November 2023 and presentation of its report to Parliament in May 2024, and was agreed to. Papers on Annual Reports - MILCO and Land Reform Commission Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha JJB AI summary Moved approval of the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board’s Annual Report for the year ending 31 December 2020, together with the Auditor General’s observations, under Section 12 of the National Audit Act, No. 19 of 2018. He noted that the report had been considered by the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Food Security and Agriculture and its report presented to Parliament; the motion was agreed to. Papers on Annual Reports - MILCO and Land Reform Commission Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha JJB AI summary Moved approval of MILCO (Private) Limited’s Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2019, including the Auditor General’s observations presented on 9 February 2024, under Section 14(2)(a) of the Finance Act, No. 38 of 1971. He noted that the report had been considered by the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Food Security and Agriculture and its report presented to Parliament, after which the motion was agreed to. Papers on Annual Reports - MILCO and Land Reform Commission Read →
- 12 March 2025 Hon. Members AI summary Parliament agreed to amend Head 282, Programme 02, increasing the capital allocation to Rs. 19,275,000,000 by adding Rs. 2,000,000,000 under Budget Proposal No. 13, while approving recurrent expenditure of Rs. 3,677,000,000. It then approved the Department of Agriculture’s Head 285, Programme 01 allocations of Rs. 722,000,000 for recurrent expenditure and Rs. 100,000,000 for capital expenditure. Programme 02 of Head 285 was then introduced with allocations of Rs. 6,406,000,000 in recurrent expenditure and Rs. 3,761,000,000 in capital expenditure. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Read →
- 12 March 2025 Mr. Chairman AI summary The Chair put to the Committee the expenditure votes for the Department of Agrarian Development and the Department of Irrigation. The Committee agreed to the specified recurrent and capital allocations under Head 281 and the operational allocations under Head 282, and ordered those items to stand part of the Schedule; the next item introduced was Head 282, Programme 02, for development activities with recurrent expenditure of Rs. 3,677 million and capital expenditure of Rs. 17,275 million. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Read →