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 2026 Hon. (Dr.) Nandana Millagala JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nandana Millagala raised a supplementary question on relief for smallholder tea growers, noting their role in earning foreign exchange and their losses due to the “Divva/Dicha” disaster. He asked the Minister to clarify the fertiliser support the President had said would be provided to affected smallholders. Oral Questions and Answers Read →
- 8 April 2026 The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth congratulated students who excelled in the recent G.C.E. (A/L) examination, including island-rank holders, university qualifiers, and students from Pottuvil and nearby areas, while also noting education achievements in the Thirukovil Zone and Eastern Province. He requested urgent Government action to supply urea, pesticides and fungicides for paddy cultivation in Pottuvil, and to develop the Radella Scheme by deepening the tank and establishing the anicut to expand cultivation. He also called for a science laboratory and assembly hall for Varipathanchenai Al-Ameen Maha Vidyalaya, repairs and public sanitation facilities at Kalmunai’s Old Kachcheri building, and geo-bag protection along the eastern coastal belt to prevent sea erosion. Adjournment Debate: Mitigate the Impact of Middle Eastern War on Sri Lanka's Economy Read →
- 8 April 2026 The Hon. B. Ariyawansha SJB AI summary Hon. B. Ariyawansha criticised the Government for failing to provide adequate relief ahead of the Sinhala and Hindu New Year despite what he described as available Treasury funds. He said increases in fuel, electricity, gas, food, fertilizer, and construction material prices had worsened hardship for public servants, daily wage earners, farmers, construction workers, and three-wheeler drivers. He also called for effective relief and resettlement programmes for people affected by the “Ditsa” cyclone and long-standing landslides in areas such as Rakwana, Madampe, Suriya Kanda, and Aluthkaella. Adjournment Debate: Mitigate the Impact of Middle Eastern War on Sri Lanka's Economy Read →
- 8 April 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath said the Middle East conflict had worsened fuel, electricity and commodity price pressures in Sri Lanka, and while welcoming some government relief, urged similar support for farmers as given to fishermen, including measures to address fuel costs and fair paddy prices. He called for practical, non-partisan programmes to reduce the burden on citizens and affected sectors. He also raised concerns about alleged unequal and delayed decisions by the Department of Archaeology in relation to minority religious and cultural sites, citing Nediyakal Malai and Thirukoneswaram in Trincomalee, and urged the Government to ensure lawful, evidence-based and equal treatment of all communities. Adjournment Debate: Mitigate the Impact of Middle Eastern War on Sri Lanka's Economy Read →
- 8 April 2026 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan welcomed the President’s relief measures and praised commitments to address land-release issues in Mullikulam and Silavathurai, as well as the Puttalam–Ilavankulam–Marichchukkaddi road matter. He urged further subsidies for industrial fuel and electricity costs, stronger monitoring of New Year commodity prices, intervention in rice pricing, and restoration of fuel prices in line with falling global crude prices. He also called for de-escalation and dialogue in the Middle East and urged the Government to act firmly against attempts to reignite communal tensions linked to the Easter Sunday attacks. Adjournment Debate: Mitigate the Impact of Middle Eastern War on Sri Lanka's Economy Read →
- 8 April 2026 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra said subsidies for farmers and fishers are intended not only to support incomes but also to control food prices and safeguard future food security. She stated that, in response to the current crisis and rising fuel and electricity costs, Aswesuma payments for April have been increased across beneficiary categories, including from Rs. 17,500 to Rs. 25,000. She contrasted this with the Government’s handling of earlier crises such as the Easter Sunday attacks and COVID-19, citing negative economic growth figures in 2019 and 2020. Adjournment Debate: Mitigate the Impact of Middle Eastern War on Sri Lanka's Economy Read →
- 8 April 2026 The Hon. Riyas Farook JJB AI summary Hon. Riyas Farook argued that the Government has managed economic pressures, disaster relief, and the fuel supply more effectively than previous administrations, citing the country’s prior bankruptcy, fuel queues, and lack of reserves. He listed relief payments provided after the “Ditva” cyclone and said the Government is absorbing losses on fuel while allocating Treasury funds to support sectors such as fisheries and agriculture. He also noted ongoing development projects in Kandy District, including the Katugastota-Ketambe flyover and Mahaiyawa tunnel, and stated that fuel prices would be reduced if the Middle East ceasefire holds. Adjournment Debate: Mitigate the Impact of Middle Eastern War on Sri Lanka's Economy Read →
- 8 April 2026 The Hon. Dilith Jayaweera SB AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera criticized the Government over the coal procurement controversy, citing the Auditor’s Report and alleging sham tendering, unlicensed certification, and major financial loss, while arguing that responsibility extends beyond the Minister to the President. He disputed government claims that there were no power cuts, referring to a system report indicating manual load shedding due to inadequate generation, and questioned the Government’s strategy for addressing economic collapse across the private sector, agriculture, fisheries, tourism, and industry. He called for an innovation-driven, enterprise-based economy with domestic strategies on energy, food security, and sovereignty, and alleged that the Executive was attempting to interfere with the judiciary by extending the Chief Justice’s retirement. Adjournment Debate: Mitigate the Impact of Middle Eastern War on Sri Lanka's Economy Read →
- 8 April 2026 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary Ramalingam Chandrasekar said the Government’s priority since taking office in 2024 had been restoring macroeconomic stability after the 2022 default and responding to subsequent shocks, including the “Didwa” disaster and the Middle East conflict. He stated that affected fishers and inland aquaculture farmers received support through NAQDA and the Department of Fisheries, including Rs. 238.8 million for boats, canoes and nets and Rs. 139.9 million for repairs. Referring to fuel price increases, he said kerosene and fuel subsidies had helped revive fishing activity, and proposed further assistance of 25 litres per day for small boats and Rs. 150,000 per trip for multi-day boats, with a willingness to adjust the scheme after further consultations. Adjournment Debate: Mitigate the Impact of Middle Eastern War on Sri Lanka's Economy Read →
- 8 April 2026 The Hon. Upali Samarasingha - Deputy Minister of Co-operative Development JJB AI summary Upali Samarasingha argued that his movement has consistently acted in national crises, citing voluntary reconstruction after the tsunami, COVID-19 assistance, and recent disaster relief mobilization after “Didwa.” He criticized the Opposition for seeking political advantage from crises while maintaining that allegations of corruption should be pursued through courts and the Bribery Commission. He said the Government has reduced privileges, provided relief, managed fuel shortages without special treatment for MPs, supported agriculture and the Yala season, and continued construction and infrastructure work to help overcome the crisis. Adjournment Debate: Mitigate the Impact of Middle Eastern War on Sri Lanka's Economy Read →
- 8 April 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary The Leader of the Opposition alleged that the Government was planning a 53 percent electricity tariff increase in May, following an 11 percent increase in April, to recover costs linked to diesel generation after substandard coal purchases, and demanded that the proposed hike be withdrawn. He also called for relief for LPG consumers, lower fuel prices following a reported ceasefire and reduced oil prices, and urgent action on shortages of fertilizer and essential supplies. He criticized the Government’s handling of paddy prices, farmer relief, health services, medical transfers and difficult-service hospital classifications, while proposing grievance officers or ombudsmen at Divisional Secretariat level to address public complaints such as excessive electricity bills. Adjournment Debate: Mitigate the Impact of Middle Eastern War on Sri Lanka's Economy Read →
- 8 April 2026 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Hon. Namal Rajapaksa criticized the Government’s economic and trade policies, alleging that duty and tax reductions on imports, including rice, were undermining local producers, small businesses and farmers while promised relief was delayed beyond the Sinhala–Hindu New Year. He questioned the Government’s handling of the Middle East-related fuel risk, power cuts and dependence on diesel power, and alleged serious irregularities in a coal procurement process, citing audit findings on an unregistered supplier and questionable laboratory reports. He demanded that the President stop protecting implicated companies and asked whether the Government would raise public-sector salaries, provide relief to private-sector workers, and address rising fuel, electricity and living costs. Adjournment Debate: Mitigate the Impact of Middle Eastern War on Sri Lanka's Economy Read →
- 8 April 2026 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Hon. Namal Rajapaksa criticised the Government for failing to deliver promised relief measures, including New Year goods packs and compensation after cyclone damage, and questioned whether newly announced relief would reach beneficiaries. He argued that current tax policies, including the removal of CESS and increased indirect taxation, harm small producers, farmers, fishers and SMEs while benefiting large conglomerates. He also accused the Government of inconsistency on rice imports and urged it to acknowledge rural hardship and change its policy direction. Adjournment Debate: Mitigate the Impact of Middle Eastern War on Sri Lanka's Economy Read →
- 8 April 2026 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan said the international conflict-driven energy crisis was affecting agriculture, transport, electricity, education, health, and household costs, and urged relief for farmers and vulnerable families, action against hoarding of fuel, fertilizer and pesticides, and better crisis management. He raised concerns over human-elephant conflict in Batticaloa, drug trafficking reports in Navatkuda, and the need to allow remaining displaced families from Kanagar village to resettle. He congratulated high-performing students and districts in the GCE (A/L) results, particularly minority districts and island rank holders. He also called for renewed efforts to establish the full truth behind the Easter Sunday attacks, questioning whether the principal masterminds had been identified and arrested. Adjournment Debate: Mitigate the Impact of Middle Eastern War on Sri Lanka's Economy Read →
- 8 April 2026 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary The Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure presented the 2023 Annual Report of the C/S Halawatha Plantation Company. He moved that the report be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Sustainable Resource Management, and the motion was agreed to. Tabling of Reports Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB AI summary Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna spoke during the Second Reading debate on the Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill and related regulations, rejecting Opposition claims that the Government was failing to manage current crises. He said the Government had addressed disaster impacts, fuel and energy constraints, and farmer concerns during the Yala season, including fuel access for ploughing and harvesting. He detailed fertilizer requirements and available stocks, stating that urea, TSP and MOP would be distributed through Agrarian Service Centres across all districts, and urged farmers to begin cultivation without fear. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill and Related Orders - Continuation (Post-Lunch) Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Naina Thambi Marrikkar Mohamed Thahir AI summary Hon. Naina Thambi Marrikkar Mohamed Thahir opposed the proposed tax increase to 36 per cent, arguing that it would harm entrepreneurs, industry, and the wider economy. He welcomed the sports regulation limiting office-bearers in sports associations to eight years, noting its earlier association with former Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara. He urged the Government to ensure that the President’s relief package, including cyclone assistance, fertilizer, fuel, and fisheries support, is actually delivered without excessive administrative barriers, and raised concerns over high input costs, low farm-gate vegetable prices, and transport constraints. He also requested the opening of a completed but unused hospital in Kalpitiya and defended the Opposition Leader’s attendance at a book launch as a normal response to an invitation. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill and Related Orders - Continuation (Post-Lunch) Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Rohana Bandara criticised the Government’s relief package and economic claims, arguing that higher taxes and living costs have prevented meaningful relief from reaching the public. He questioned the use and distribution of funds promised after the “Ditsa” cyclone, including housing assistance and rent support, and raised doubts about ministers’ personal wealth and fundraising claims. He also criticised delays and inadequacies in agricultural subsidies, rising cultivation costs, rice import policy shifts, and the impact on farmers, while highlighting education and illicit liquor issues in the North Central Province and unmet hardship allowance promises for teachers. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill and Related Orders - Continuation (Post-Lunch) Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe said fertilizer procurement for the Yala season was underway, with MOP available and TSP and urea tenders and consignments being managed for proportional allocation. He defended the Government’s relief package as planned and sustainable, including direct assistance to affected groups and measures to contain inflation without increasing money supply growth. He stated that the Government had engaged producers, importers and distributors on essential goods, fuel, gas and construction materials to limit festive-season price increases, while acknowledging possible pressure from the dollar, oil prices, tourism and remittances. He rejected Opposition claims on shortages, prices and coal quality, saying such matters should be debated on facts and handled through contractual and procedural mechanisms. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill and Related Orders - Continuation (Post-Lunch) Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe rejected claims that the Government was unprepared for the impacts of the Israel-US attacks on Iran, stating that Cabinet committees had been established on transport, food security and continuity of public services, with QR-based fuel controls used where needed. He said fiscal discipline and increased revenue had enabled additional relief expenditure, including Rs. 50 billion this year for Cyclone “Michaung” victims, bringing relief allocations to about Rs. 150 billion with the latest Rs. 100 billion. He also dismissed concerns over fertilizer shortages, saying availability had been reviewed with relevant companies, departments and ministries through regular inter-ministerial coordination on production, transport and essential supplies. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill and Related Orders - Continuation (Post-Lunch) Read →