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- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake highlighted the economic potential of northern fisheries and related products, including marine plants in Kilinochchi and the jaggery industry beyond the planned Vaddakandal bridge, while noting that northern fishing communities remain poorer than those in the South. He welcomed Budget allocations for the Vaddakandal bridge and called for targeted support for northern fishermen. He urged the Tamil Nadu and Indian Governments to prevent illegal fishing that harms the livelihoods of northern Sri Lankan fishing communities, asking India to enforce its own laws. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 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 expressed support during the Committee Stage debate for the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, noting its relevance to the Northern Province and its fishing communities. He commended Minister Ramalingam Chandraseker, Deputy Minister Ranna Gamage and officials, and urged attention to areas such as Kurunagar, the islands, Mullaitivu and Nayaru through fisheries-based livelihood development. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC AI summary Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah urged increased investment in the fisheries sector, focusing on the Eastern Province, and requested the removal of silt and development of the gazetted Oluvil Fishery Harbour to serve Kalmunai and nearby multi-day fishing boats. He also called for urgent improvements at Valaichchenai Harbour, a landing facility or floating jetty at Poonochchimunai, and greater support for fishermen facing high Vessel Monitoring System fees and maintenance costs. He highlighted organized fish theft at sea, the inadequacy of current fines, and asked the Minister to introduce stronger legislation and coordinate enforcement with the Navy, Army, and Police. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. B. Ariyawansha SJB AI summary Hon. B. Ariyawansha reviewed rural poverty alleviation programmes since 1948 and said Aswesuma, while covering over 1.2 million households, has not always selected the most deserving beneficiaries. He requested a clear GN division-based verification process involving local State officers to reduce omissions. He also called for targeted infrastructure, sanitation, education, healthcare, and water-access improvements in disadvantaged districts, particularly Ratnapura and estate areas, and urged progress on the Ruwanpura Expressway and restoration of the Avissawella–Opanayake railway line to improve connectivity and transport of produce. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB AI summary Hon. Imran Maharoof raised concerns about the fisheries sector, particularly inadequate transport allowances for fisheries officers covering wide areas such as Trincomalee, and requested an increase. He also highlighted a nationwide shortage of fisheries officers, noting that recruitment has stalled since around 2015, and urged the Minister to proceed fairly with recruitment. He asked the Minister, the Ministry Secretary, and relevant officials to visit fishing communities across Trincomalee District, meet fishermen’s association leaders, and address their local grievances. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB AI summary The Hon. Imran Maharoof raised fisheries issues affecting Trincomalee District, calling for modernization of traditional fishing practices, restoration of loan facilities, and inclusion of housing and support programmes for fishermen. He asked the Minister to resolve disputes involving the Navy, including blocked access for fishermen in Pulmoddai. He also questioned the enforcement of purse seine fishing rules, arguing that if it is banned under the 1986 regulations, the ban should be applied uniformly nationwide rather than only in the North and East. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy JJB AI summary Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy urged modernization of the Sea-Nor boat and gear facilities in Karainagar and Gurunagar, with Government and foreign partner funding, and called for fish processing and value-addition factories in the North to improve fishermen’s incomes. He highlighted the damage caused by illegal Indian bottom trawling in northern waters, citing large daily and annual losses to local fishers, environmental destruction, and reduced fish stocks, and asked for action to protect livelihoods and increase fish production. He also raised concerns about malnutrition and multidimensional vulnerability in the North, linking improved fisheries to better protein intake, GDP, and foreign exchange. On social security, he noted vulnerable groups affected by war, poverty, disability, addiction, and female-headed households, called for fairer “Aswesuma” beneficiary selection, and requested stronger social protection, infrastructure, and support for small entrepreneurs. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan ITAK AI summary Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan argued that the 2025 Budget allocation for fisheries is insufficient, particularly the reduced capital allocation, given the dependence of Trincomalee and the Eastern Province on the sector. He called for stronger action against Indian trawlers, dynamiting, small-mesh nets and especially purse seine fishing, proposing a full ban and joint monitoring teams with fishermen. He urged government intervention over alleged land encroachment by the Raigam salt project affecting inland fishers, strengthening of fishermen’s cooperatives, ice plants, value addition, completion of Oluvil harbour, concessional credit and multiday fishing centres. He also requested housing support for fishers and assistance for aquaculture through free fingerlings and development of inland water bodies in Trincomalee. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary The Member raised questions for the Fisheries Minister based on the “Major Public Investment Projects” document, referring to fisheries-sector projects valued over Rs. 250 million. He began by citing the development of the Myliddy Fishery Harbour as one such project, but part of his remarks was expunged by order of the Chair. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam raised concerns about northern fishermen, particularly in Jaffna, facing losses from Indian poaching despite a heavy Navy presence, and called for compensation and stronger protection. He urged the Ministry to provide substantial financial assistance, including support for multiday boats, and to ensure the Myliddy harbour benefits local fishermen by handing management to northern fishermen’s federations. He also objected to outside fishermen operating in Nayaru and to sea cucumber permits allegedly granted to non-locals in Kudaarappu, requesting immediate regulatory action. He further asked for dredging, groyne strengthening, and improved coastal access roads from Karkovalam to Neduntivu to support safe fishing operations. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen SJB AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen urged corrections to Aswesuma beneficiary selection, including Divisional Secretariat-level grievance redress, use and modernization of Samurdhi banks, promotions for long-serving Samurdhi officers, and wider coverage after the economic crisis. He called for stronger action against Indian trawlers, support for inland fisheries and the proposed Aquaculture Centre of Excellence in Mannar, and urgent coastal protection for Vankalai. He also requested redesign of Oluvil Harbour to benefit Eastern Province multi-day boat owners, targeted modernization support for IMUL vessels, and revocation or clarification of the Kalpitiya/Chilaw night-diving ban following NARA’s findings. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan urged stronger support for the fisheries sector, including fuel support, insurance for gear lost due to Indian bottom trawlers, cold storage, fisheries harbours in Mullaitivu or Mannar, inland fisheries development, and a fisheries academic facility in the North. He called for structured talks with the Tamil Nadu Government and the Indian Central Government to stop illegal trawler incursions, while opposing third-country involvement in the northern maritime area. He also requested action against illegal fishing practices, corrupt officials, and delays caused by the fishermen’s pass system, arguing that improved livelihoods and education in fishing communities would help the sector earn foreign exchange. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage: Heads 124, 216, 331, 151 and 290 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Ajith Gihan JJB AI summary Ajith Gihan supported the Budget allocation for the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic Resources and Marine Resources, arguing that the new Government should be given time to address long-standing problems in the sector. He cited the scale of Sri Lanka’s maritime zone and fisheries employment, and said high fuel, gear and operating costs, institutional debt, and neglected bodies such as NAQDA, North Sea Ltd. and Cey-Nor had weakened the industry. He stated that the Government plans rule-based management, revival of aquaculture, inland fisheries, prawn farming and related institutions, with technology-enabled progress expected within a year. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage: Heads 124, 216, 331, 151 and 290 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana urged the Government to implement its fisheries-related election commitments, particularly reducing diesel by the promised Rs. 160 per litre and paying overdue kerosene subsidies for fishermen in areas such as Beruwala. He raised concerns about high fish prices, fuel and gear costs, salt shortages affecting dry-fish production, and imports of fish products that he said depress local fishermen’s incomes. He also called for introducing satellite-based fish-location technology, expanding cold storage capacity, allowing competitive importation of approved VMS devices, and supporting mechanization for net-mending and related activities. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage: Heads 124, 216, 331, 151 and 290 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran raised concern over unlawful incursions by Indian bottom-trawling vessels into Sri Lankan waters, particularly in the North and East, stating that they are destroying marine habitats and undermining local fishermen’s livelihoods. He called for strict enforcement of Sri Lanka’s ban on bottom trawling, legal action against both foreign and local illegal fishers, and stronger action by the Navy, Police and Fisheries authorities to protect maritime boundaries. He urged the Minister to intervene firmly and warned that affected fishing communities in Jaffna, Mannar, Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi may be forced into public protest if their livelihoods are not protected. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage: Heads 124, 216, 331, 151 and 290 Read →
- 5 March 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB AI summary Minister Pannilage defended the President’s use of poverty data in the Budget, arguing that multidimensional poverty must be assessed through living standards, education and health rather than a single indicator. He said the Ministry’s priorities are rural development and social security, including preparation of development plans for all 14,022 Grama Niladhari divisions through a new Rural Development Agency, supported by Rs. 1,012 million and reallocated Grama Shakthi funds. He stated that Rs. 749 billion has been earmarked for social protection, including a new disability registry, an increase in the disability allowance from Rs. 7,500 to Rs. 10,000, and expanded coverage from about 139,000 to 410,000 beneficiaries. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage: Heads 124, 216, 331, 151 and 290 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi said fuel subsidy payments to his fishing boats had been received for November but not for the subsequent four months, citing bank statements as evidence. He rejected insinuations against fishers, asked what had happened to the promised Rs. 150 per litre support, and questioned who was receiving the alleged Rs. 60 commission under previous arrangements. He urged the authorities to stop making false claims and ensure the subsidy is delivered properly. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage: Heads 124, 216, 331, 151 and 290 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Rathna Gamage - Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister outlined the Government’s fisheries programme under the 2025 Budget, noting an increased allocation of Rs. 11.44 billion plus Rs. 3 billion for fuel relief, with Rs. 863 million already disbursed under a Rs. 25-per-litre subsidy scheme. He said the Ministry is introducing a coordinated central-provincial administrative framework, expanding and rectifying harbour facilities, addressing ice monopolies, reducing post-harvest losses through new technology, and expanding fish distribution through Ceylon Fisheries Corporation outlets, Sathosa and Co-op Cities. He also highlighted measures for the North, inland fisheries under NAQDA’s “Reservoirs to Factories” concept, and proposed reforms to fisher insurance and institutional debts inherited by the Fisheries Corporation. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage: Heads 124, 216, 331, 151 and 290 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi stated that documentation from prior “Blue Economy” initiatives is available to the Ministry and offered cooperation with the Fisheries Minister to rebuild the sector. He asked that the existing surveys and reports on the Rekawa and Marawila harbour projects be reviewed, and called for an investigation into alleged waste of funds and responsibility for it. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage: Heads 124, 216, 331, 151 and 290 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi supported returning “Ocean Resources” to the Fisheries Ministry and proposed placing the Ocean University under it, arguing that Sri Lanka needs a dedicated institution and plan to develop ocean-based sectors sustainably. He criticized the 2025 Budget for insufficient support to fisheries, especially fuel relief, and proposed subsidized diesel through fisheries harbour outlets, alongside concessionary loans to refit laid-up multi-day vessels. He also called for a boat ambulance and rescue service, resumed upgrading of fish landing sites, consultation-based redrafting of fisheries law amendments, and rehabilitation of stalled or deteriorated harbour and anchorage projects including Rekawa, Marawila/Matallae, and Kirinda. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage: Heads 124, 216, 331, 151 and 290 Read →