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- 11 March 2025 Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB AI summary Asked whether the Paddy Marketing Board is effectively procuring paddy amid current rice affordability concerns. He also sought clarification on measures being taken to address rice shortages, directing the question to the Deputy Minister responsible for agriculture. Oral Question: Chicken Production and Supply in Sri Lanka (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne clarified that his recent interventions related to the swine industry and not the location referred to by a Member. He stated that Sri Lanka is generally self-sufficient in eggs and produces substantial chicken meat, with limited imports allowed for specific consumer segments and private value addition or re-export. He added that the Government is pursuing full self-sufficiency and seeking market access in eight countries, including China, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia and Japan, for Sri Lankan chicken meat exports. Oral Question: Chicken Production and Supply in Sri Lanka (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 11 March 2025 Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi raised concerns about the poultry industry, noting its importance to ordinary people and the growth shown in available data despite some imports. He asked whether the Ministry has a stable programme to control arbitrary price increases by traders, resolve industry issues to reduce import dependence, and promote poultry exports. Oral Question: Chicken Production and Supply in Sri Lanka (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne, answering on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, provided yearwise data on Sri Lanka’s chicken meat production, exports and imports from 2010 to 2024, with production projected to reach 283,580 metric tons in 2025. He stated that chicken meat production is entirely private-sector led, while the State handles policy, regulation and facilitation. He outlined measures to expand the industry, including a plan to double production by 2029, increase domestic maize cultivation while importing 250,000 metric tons to prevent feed shortages, support exports to markets such as China, Singapore and the UAE, provide tax and import facilitation for inputs, and strengthen biosecurity, veterinary services and avian influenza surveillance. Oral Question: Chicken Production and Supply in Sri Lanka (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 11 March 2025 Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation to provide annual data from 2010 to the present on chicken production in Sri Lanka, as well as details of any chicken meat exports and imports during that period. He also requested the Ministry to state what measures will be taken to improve the domestic chicken meat industry, or explain why such information cannot be provided. Oral Question: Chicken Production and Supply in Sri Lanka (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 10 March 2025 The Hon. Ashoka Gunasena JJB AI summary The speech supported the Adjournment Motion on developing tourism in the North-Western Province, noting its importance to the economy and alignment with the President’s plan to promote tourism around historic cities. It highlighted newly identified and lesser-known attractions linked to ancient capitals, including sites around the Dambadeniya Kingdom such as Raanagala, Thun Dola reservoir, Mahamevna, Bambaragala Rajamaha Vihara, Sangili Bridge, Bhakbelikanda and Maragala. The member said these locations would be given attention in future tourism development and promoted as part of the province’s economic contribution. Adjournment Motion: Development of North-Western Province as a Tourist Destination Read →
- 10 March 2025 The Hon. Dinindu Saman AI summary Hon. Dinindu Saman raised the need to provide electricity to the Diriya Govi traditional farming community near the Roonakanda Reserve. He noted that the District Coordinating Committee had already decided to supply electricity and asked when the project would be expedited and completed. Oral Answers to Questions Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku JJB AI summary Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku said the Government will strengthen maritime human resources by empowering the Mahapola Training Centre and implementing the Merchant Shipping Secretariat’s roadmap to increase Sri Lankan seafarers to 50,000 by 2030 with private and State sector collaboration. He stated that the Trincomalee Port master plan will be re-evaluated this year, focusing on oil, cruise and container terminals, including support for restored oil tanks, tourism expansion and transshipment for India’s eastern seaboard. He also announced proposed amendments to aviation law to improve regulation of domestic aviation, aviation tourism activities and agricultural drone use. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. Darmapriya Wijesinghe (on behalf of the Hon. Ravindra Bandara) JJB AI summary On behalf of the Hon. Ravindra Bandara, the Hon. Darmapriya Wijesinghe asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation for detailed information on LRC and other State lands in the Haputale and Haldummulla Divisional Secretariat Divisions. The question sought extents by Grama Niladhari Division, details of lands granted to third parties including recipients, locations and basis of grant, and data on identified and currently cultivated agricultural lands, with reasons requested if the information could not be provided. Oral Question: Haputale and Haldummulla DS Divisions (Q.253/2024) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary The Minister presented the 2020 Annual Report of the National Livestock Development Board on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation. He moved that the report be referred to the relevant Sectoral Oversight Committee, and the motion was agreed to. Papers: Ministerial Reports and Performance Reports Read →
- 6 March 2025 Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister tabled a written answer on rice imports, stating that 49,621.6 metric tons were imported by the private sector during the queried period, while no government imports occurred in that overall period. He further stated that from 21 September 2024 to 26 February 2025 the Government imported 10,400 metric tons and the private sector 180,653.5 metric tons, with imports used as a temporary measure in late 2024 due to lack of buffer stocks, market concentration, reduced production, weather impacts, and diversion of rice to other uses. The response also cited controlled consumer prices under Gazette No. 2414/04 of 9 December 2024 and listed applicable duties and levies on imported rice categories. Oral Questions (Q.1-4) Read →
- 6 March 2025 Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara asked the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development for detailed data on rice imports between 14 November 2023 and 13 November 2024, including separate quantities imported by the Government and the private sector. He also sought information on any rice imported after the 2024 Presidential Election, the reasons for importation, import costs, market release and consumer prices, and taxes levied on the imported rice. Oral Questions (Q.1-4) Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar JJB AI summary Ramalingam Chandrasekar said the Fisheries Ministry is reviewing problems across all 15 coastal districts and has prepared a new work plan after finding key institutions, including the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation, NAQDA, Cey-Nor and North Sea Ltd., heavily indebted and in arrears on worker contributions. He pledged not to betray the support of northern fishermen and cited rehabilitation of harbour infrastructure in Point Pedro, Myliddy, Pesalai, Mannar and Mullaitivu, as well as plans to develop inland fisheries and ornamental aquaculture with provincial coordination. Responding to concerns on fuel subsidies, he said over Rs. 800 million had been paid to 31,143 registered craft, delays were due to monthly card updates and bank account issues, and more than Rs. 3,000 million remains to be disbursed. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary The Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources began referring to matters concerning his Ministry, but the provided excerpt is incomplete and does not include any substantive argument, proposal, question, or demand to summarize. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy criticised the Government’s handling of the Aswasuma welfare scheme, arguing that unclear selection criteria were placing local officials in difficulty and risked politicising assistance ahead of elections. He called for a fairer system that targets genuinely needy households and for programmes that help people move out of poverty rather than relying only on cash transfers. On fisheries, he said the Budget lacked a comprehensive programme for the sector despite its importance to food supply, livelihoods and foreign exchange. He urged equal enforcement of bans on harmful fishing methods, action against Indian bottom trawlers, protection for seasonal fishers migrating between regions, timely relief payments, fuel and tax support, completion of harbour works including Muttuvaram, and measures to reduce the cost and improve the quality of fishing gear and export handling facilities. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Gnanamuththu Srineshan highlighted inadequate transport and road facilities in difficult rural areas. He renewed his request to Hon. Bimal Rathnayake to construct the Kattumurivu road for indigenous communities, fishers, and farmers, urging immediate action to strengthen public confidence in the Government. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan urged the Fisheries Ministry to revive several idle fisheries and aquaculture facilities in Batticaloa, including a prawn hatchery, fish fry production centre and ice plant, and to address licensing and authorization issues in prawn farming projects in Vakarai. He called for stronger fisheries development from Kathiraveli to Kallar, new or improved harbour facilities, fair distribution of boats and gear, and revitalization of the Ocean University regional campus at Kallady–Navalady. He also raised concerns about illicit liquor, drugs and violent “sword culture” incidents in Batticaloa, asking authorities to act promptly and ensure more effective policing. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Stephni Fernando JJB AI summary Hon. Stephni Fernando argued for shifting fisheries policy from extraction to conservation and sustainable, higher-value production, citing the Maldives as an example and noting damage from banned nets, plastics, and poor awareness among fishing communities. She said the Government would educate fisherfolk, enforce the 1979 prohibition on foreign poaching through new amendments, support domestic canned fish production through 21 factories, and implement coral reef and marine protection measures including the Clean Sri Lanka initiative. She also disputed an Opposition claim about salt prices, stating that a 50 kg bag costs about Rs. 4,500, and linked fisheries development to national economic growth. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Nihal Galappaththi JJB AI summary Hon. Nihal Galappaththi said the Government is implementing a scientific programme to reorganize and develop the fresh, brackish and marine fisheries sectors, with Budget allocations including Rs. 780 million for fisheries infrastructure in the Northern Province. He stated that 62 anchorage sites in Jaffna, Mannar, Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi will be developed, and rejected claims of inaction on Indian fishing incursions by citing past protests and legal amendments enabling heavy fines. He also said fisheries harbours, anchorages and related state institutions, including NAQDA, NARA and the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation, would be assessed and rebuilt over the next five years, while inviting constructive criticism and support. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake urged the Indian Government and the Tamil Nadu Government to address the recurring fisheries-related problems affecting northern Sri Lankan communities, particularly in areas such as Mannar, where he said livelihoods have been severely reduced. He argued that assistance to post-war communities should focus on enabling people to sustain themselves rather than only providing relief or cash support. He also commended the Fisheries Ministry and requested that the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation be strengthened and its retail outlets expanded to provide affordable, quality fish to the public. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →