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- 12 March 2025 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Kins Nelson raised concerns that flood-affected farmers in Polonnaruwa have not received the compensation they were promised and said many were misled into expecting Rs. 100,000 per hectare for any crop damage. He clarified that the scheme is scaled according to the extent and duration of crop loss, and requested that officials communicate this through Agrarian Service Centres or a designated team. He cited extensive crop destruction in Medirigiriya, Gal Amuna, Pamburana, Palliyagodella and Dimbulagala, and said some affected areas had not yet been visited by officials. He also urged action on rising harvesting costs caused by wet conditions, which he said had increased from about Rs. 35,000 to Rs. 50,000–60,000 per hectare. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB AI summary The Minister said the Government has consolidated previously fragmented responsibilities and is developing a structured livestock policy under the “A Prosperous Country – A Beautiful Life” programme. He outlined plans to rebuild dairy production by organizing farmers into societies, profiling producers by supply levels, improving fodder cultivation infrastructure, expanding artificial insemination and sexed semen use, and developing state farms under the Mahaweli Authority and NLDB as breeding and production centres. He also said poultry support would focus on reducing feed costs, expanding maize cultivation and pursuing export opportunities, while the swine sector would be revived to improve protein supply and reduce malnutrition. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan urged the Government to prioritize the Mundeni Aru irrigation project, including linking the Urukamam and Kithul tanks, citing potential benefits for irrigation of about 25,000 acres, drinking water supply, inland fisheries, minor tanks, seed production and tourism, with possible AFD concessional funding and grants. He also called for enforcement of court orders to remove illegal settlers from the Mayilathamadu grazing lands used by traditional cattle herders. He further requested fair guaranteed prices, timely fertilizer support and compensation for farmers, and plans to capture floodwaters from tanks such as Kandyian Aru and Adaichakal to reduce flooding and support agriculture. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne JJB AI summary Acknowledging an identified issue, Namal Karunaratne stated that the existing system had been followed. He said corrective measures are being planned for the next season. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned the Deputy Minister on whether the increased Rs. 25,000 fertilizer subsidy had been provided to farmers on time. He stated that some farmers had received only Rs. 15,000 or Rs. 10,000 and alleged that the distribution had not yet been completed. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock corrected the Opposition Leader’s claim that compensation for crop damage had not been paid. He stated that Rs. 952 million had already been paid to affected farmers, including payments made before the end of the season for the first time. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa said the Opposition was responding constructively to the Government’s invitation for participation and tabled proposals for consideration. He argued that state procurement should cover at least 7–10 per cent of the harvest to affect prices, rather than the planned 40,000 metric tons at about Rs. 3 billion, and should extend beyond paddy to crops such as big onions and potatoes under a national plan covering producers of all scales. He also called for a national programme to modernize water management and rehabilitate irrigation systems from village tanks upwards, with the aim of improving food security and developing an export-oriented agricultural economy. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa proposed a National Agricultural Policy and National Land Use Plan to modernize agriculture, improve productivity, attract youth, strengthen markets, and address human–wildlife conflict through zoning, technology, compensation, insurance, and community-based measures. He cited international examples including the Netherlands and Costa Rica to argue for investment in research, precision farming, value addition, sustainability, and coordinated ecosystem management. He questioned whether farm-gate pricing and cost-per-acre calculations properly reflect farmers’ real costs, disaster risks, and regional variations, and called for timely compensation for crop losses. He also said any wildlife census must be conducted properly through coordination among the Agriculture, Wildlife, Forest and other relevant agencies, rather than by the Agriculture Ministry alone. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha JJB AI summary Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha invited Members from both Government and Opposition to engage in a substantive debate on agriculture, emphasizing the sector’s particular vulnerability to climate conditions. He said he would listen to contributions, review the Hansard, and consider constructive proposals, including through cooperation with Opposition MPs, for the advancement of the sector. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha - Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary The Minister said the expanded Ministry now brings agriculture, livestock, land, irrigation and Mahaweli functions together, while acknowledging inefficiencies, vacancies and the need to correct malpractice in key departments. He said the Government’s priority is food security through higher domestic production, earlier cultivation using full reservoirs, and imports only when necessary, citing the recent rice shortage and African Swine Fever’s impact on the pig industry. He stated that paddy purchasing for the 2024-2025 Maha season was set at production cost plus 30 per cent to ensure farmer profitability, and that similar attention was given to potato farmers. He also addressed data limitations, value-added rice uses, and said land requests for crops such as sorghum and durian would be assessed cautiously due to past misuse in land alienation. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha criticized the Government’s rice duty policy, arguing that maintaining the Rs. 65 duty and adding Rs. 10 benefited large millers rather than farmers or consumers, and said import duties should have been reduced during shortages to lower prices and regulate the market. He urged priority completion of the North Western Canal’s 12 km Bowathenna-Wemedilla tunnel, noting that USD 370 million is required for the project to deliver benefits. He also raised concerns about the egg industry and requested the removal of VAT on eggs, stating that there is limited value addition at most points of sale. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Nalin Bandara Jayamaha moved the customary Rs. 10 reductions to the Agriculture-related heads of expenditure and used the debate to argue that Sri Lanka’s agriculture and irrigation achievements should not be characterized as part of a “76-year curse.” He attributed recent agricultural damage to the Gotabaya Rajapaksa Government’s sudden chemical fertilizer ban, citing reduced Maha and Yala harvests, continuing effects on tea yields, and the coconut shortage. He highlighted historical irrigation and settlement programmes, including Gal Oya and the Accelerated Mahaweli Programme, as central to rice self-sufficiency and increased paddy yields. He also questioned whether the Government’s Budget matches its manifesto, challenging the claim that agricultural land can generate Rs. 3 million per acre annually and asking where the necessary allocations are reflected. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary The Minister tabled a written answer on the Northern Coconut Triangle project, stating that it began in 2023 in the Northern Province, has planted about 10,000 acres so far, and targets 50,000 acres by 2027 with expected production contributions by 2030. The answer set out objectives including increasing annual production by 135 million nuts, improving food security, raising export revenue by USD 70 million, supporting northern livelihoods, attracting investment, and promoting intercropping. It also detailed current coconut production and a range of short-, medium- and long-term measures, including controlled imports for re-export and oil production, concessional fertilizer and pest-control support, rehabilitation and replanting, irrigation, consumer supply through state channels, expansion into non-traditional areas, concessional industry finance, and preparation of sectoral strategic plans. Oral Question: Scarcity of Coconuts and Archaeological Site Protection (Q.92/2024, Q.210/2024) Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri) SJB AI summary A question was raised to the Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure regarding the scarcity of coconuts under Question No. 2 - 92/2024. It sought information on the steps taken by the Ministry to minimize the shortage and address its impact. Oral Question: Scarcity of Coconuts and Archaeological Site Protection (Q.92/2024, Q.210/2024) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. Arun Hemachandra - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment JJB AI summary Arun Hemachandra supported the Budget proposals for the Ministry of Digital Economy, arguing that digitalization is essential for transparency, good governance and reducing corruption, fraud and wastage. He defended the proposed digital ID system, including biometric use, stating that security measures such as encryption and encoding would be applied and citing international implementation as context. He said digital tools could improve data-driven decision-making in agriculture, fisheries, transport, livestock, public administration, foreign employment selection and consular services, and noted that GovPay and a proposed single-window investor platform were part of the Government’s broader digitalization agenda. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. Lasith Bhashana Gamage JJB AI summary Hon. Lasith Bhashana Gamage supported the Science and Technology Ministry expenditure head, highlighting the Government’s creation of a Ministry of Digital Economy and arguing that long-term national planning is needed to align human resources, education and economic priorities. He said technology must be extended across sectors, particularly agriculture, where outdated practices are driving youth away and limiting productivity. He proposed practical measures such as deploying drones, irrigation and fertilizer technologies, nano-fertilizers, strengthening Vidatha centre officers, and supporting SMEs, youth and women through systematic technology programmes. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nihal Abeysinghe JJB AI summary Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe supported the expenditure head of the Ministry of Science and Technology, highlighting the Government’s move to bring 12 science and technology institutions under one ministry for coordinated planning, review, and alignment with policy priorities. He said the Ministry should mobilize Sri Lankan scientists and professionals abroad and apply research, digitalization, and new technology to food security, paddy yield improvement, domestic fertilizer production, export quality, poverty reduction, infrastructure, renewable energy, vehicle accessibility, and health services. He emphasized that science and technology should be used to address the country’s economic and social challenges and to support sustainable improvements in living standards. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake called for value-for-money assessment of the 1.6 million public servants and urged the Government to use digitalization to improve revenue collection, efficiency and economic growth. He proposed tax incentives for digital start-ups, a stronger cashless economy, and wider use of digital tools and artificial intelligence in agriculture, including weather reporting and yield improvement. Citing Bank of Ceylon-supported drone initiatives, he argued that technology-led reforms and industrial automation should be implemented rather than repeatedly discussed, with cross-party focus on national development. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. Dilith Jayaweera SB AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera questioned whether the Budget allocations for the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Digital Economy match the NPP Government’s policy commitments on research and development. He cited low R&D spending compared with other countries and argued that the Rs. 5 billion allocation is largely recurrent rather than directed to capital formation, innovation, agricultural productivity, or wealth creation. He criticized the Budget as overly shaped by IMF revenue-raising requirements and urged the Government to adopt a more creative strategy to reduce poverty and support the underprivileged. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB AI summary Paddy farmers are now receiving satisfactory prices and there are no current protests over inability to sell their harvest. The Deputy Minister stated that farmer welfare remains the priority and that the Paddy Marketing Board has begun purchasing paddy in specified quantities, indicating that the earlier marketing difficulties are being addressed. Oral Question: Chicken Production and Supply in Sri Lanka (Q.1/2025) Read →