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. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama JJB AI summary (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama stated that farmers affected by construction-related non-cultivation had been promised compensation, with a list prepared, but no payments had been made despite repeated assurances. He requested intervention to ensure the compensation is paid and proposed appointing a Parliamentary Committee or taking other measures to examine the matter. Oral Question: Nilwala River Salinity Barrier - Farmer Compensation (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that the Consumer Affairs Authority has detected substandard coconut oil unfit for consumption, citing adulteration, poor production and storage practices, unsafe reuse of containers, inadequate labelling, and reprocessing of used oil as common problems. He said the Government has issued Gazette notifications under the Consumer Affairs Authority Act, is working with the Coconut Development Authority and Ministry of Health, and conducts raids and sample testing to address quality and traceability issues. He also outlined challenges faced by small and medium oil mill owners, including raw material shortages, price volatility, rising costs, limited credit access, environmental compliance burdens, low innovation, and competition from imported oil sold as local, adding that policy and regulatory measures are being pursued through relevant ministries. Oral Question: Substandard Coconut Oil (Q.3/2025) Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Asked the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development whether substandard coconut oil unfit for consumption has been found in the market, how it enters supply chains, what tactics are used, and what measures are being taken to prevent its sale. He also sought reasons why quality coconut oil is not reaching consumers, and requested details of the problems faced by small and medium-scale oil mill owners and proposed solutions. Oral Question: Substandard Coconut Oil (Q.3/2025) Read →
- 4 March 2025 The Hon. Waruna Liyanage SJB AI summary Hon. Waruna Liyanage moved an Adjournment Motion calling for the Ministry of Irrigation to formulate a systematic programme to address recurrent flooding in Ratnapura District, where several Divisional Secretary’s Divisions are inundated multiple times annually. He requested that future Budget allocations include measures to protect lives and property, while also making better use of Kalu Ganga water that currently flows to the sea. He proposed options including diverting water through Kuda-oya toward Udawalawe and Hambantota to support cultivation, and exploring “dry dam” projects on Kalu Ganga tributaries for flood control and possible small-scale hydropower generation. Adjournment Motion: Flood Mitigation in Ratnapura District Read →
- 4 March 2025 The Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha - Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary The Minister presented the report of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation covering several annual and performance reports from agencies under the agriculture, livestock, land and irrigation sectors. The documents included reports from fertilizer, post-harvest, livestock, engineering, animal production, irrigation and agrarian development institutions for various years, and were ordered to lie upon the Table. Papers presented Read →
- 3 March 2025 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Government is monitoring industrial park operators through park committees and will support viable closed or distressed enterprises with financial and technical assistance, including coordination with banks and relevant Budget provisions. He stated that recovery plans are being requested from closed operators and that, where feasible, they will be encouraged to restart operations before any reallocation is considered. Oral Question: Industrial Parks in Sri Lanka - Current Status (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 3 March 2025 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that the Industrial Development Board Chairman has already taken action on the matter. He said that, due to limited allocations and high demand, priority this year will be given to completing the Elpitiya and Kalutara-area industrial estates before initiating new estates. Oral Question: Industrial Parks in Elpitiya (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 3 March 2025 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, figures were provided on gem-mining permits issued by the National Gem and Jewellery Authority from 2020 to 2024, rising from 4,665 in 2020 to 7,897 in 2024, with a peak of 8,286 in 2023. For Badulla District, 1,434 licensed gem mines were reported for 2021-2024 across DS Divisions, with the highest numbers in Lunugala, Haldummulla and Passara, and active mines increasing from 181 in 2021 to 434 by end-2024. It was also stated that lists of mines properly closed and backfilled according to standards for 2020-2024, including licensee and site details, have been compiled and are available with the Authority. Oral Question: Gem-Mining Permits (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana raised concerns that low fuel stocks at Beruwala and other harbours were preventing multi-day fishing vessels from going to sea, warning that the situation would become serious if supplies were not restored. He also asked the Minister to address what he described as a monopoly in the import of VMS devices, noting that prices had risen sharply and requesting that vessel owners be allowed to import them directly. Oral Question: Fishery Harbours Development and Multi-Day Vessel Operations (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that fuel support for fishers was shifted from the original mechanism to a reimbursement system after access problems arose, and that although funds have been sent, some delays have been reported and will be referred to the Minister. He also said the Government is aware of congestion at Beruwala harbour, including laid-up boats exceeding capacity, and is giving special attention to developing it as a leading, well-equipped fishery harbour. Oral Question: Fishery Harbours Development and Multi-Day Vessel Operations (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, the Minister reported that Sri Lanka has 24 fishery harbours and outlined proposed development and maintenance allocations for fuel systems, harbour infrastructure, equipment, lighting, pumps, beacons and vehicles. He provided vessel figures, stating that 5,488 multi-day vessels and 929 one-day vessels are currently engaged or registered, with 182 multi-day and 24 one-day vessels not engaged in fishing. He detailed ongoing support measures including fuel reimbursement allowances for diesel and kerosene users, Chinese grant programmes for kerosene and fishing nets, artificial reef projects, FAO-supported efficiency pilots, online licensing and vessel monitoring systems, fisher health and first-aid certification, export facilitation, and a forthcoming enhanced pension scheme. Oral Question: Fishery Harbours Development and Multi-Day Vessel Operations (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana asked the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources to provide details on Sri Lanka’s fishery harbours, including their number and development measures. He also sought separate figures for registered, active, and inactive multi-day and one-day fishing vessels, and asked what measures had been taken to develop the fishing industry. Oral Question: Fishery Harbours Development and Multi-Day Vessel Operations (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 25 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Hon. Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana acknowledged budget allocations for the Jaffna Library and nutrition programmes, but argued that the Government had not fulfilled key promises on education, including tax relief on school stationery and adequate support for school facilities such as water and sanitation. He questioned the use of Rs. 6,000 vouchers for low-income students and said health-related tax burdens and shortages in public hospitals were forcing people to spend more privately. He also criticised the paddy procurement allocation as insufficient, arguing that reliance on private millers could raise rice prices and worsen living costs for ordinary families. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 (Continuation Day 7) Read →
- 25 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Sellaththamby Thilaganathan JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Sellaththamby Thilaganathan supported the 2025 Budget, highlighting allocations for Northern Province development, including Rs. 5,000 million for rural roads and district-level funding which he argued prioritizes war-affected areas on a per capita basis. He cited plans to revive the Kankesanthurai cement factory, Paranthan Chemical Company and Ottuchudanil tile factory, and to rehabilitate the Vattuvagal bridge. He also outlined proposed facilities and services for Mullaitivu and Mannar, including Fire Brigade units, hospital expansion, a public library, cultural centres, and grazing arrangements for cattle near the Kattukkarai tank. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 (Continuation Day 7) Read →
- 25 February 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama JJB AI summary Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama defended the Budget as a national, economy-wide plan prepared under severe poverty and food insecurity, rather than a set of sectoral allocations. He highlighted increased spending on education, school nutrition, rural transport, roads, seed production, smart agriculture, livestock, minor irrigation, research and development, and scientific waste management. He argued that these measures would support agriculture, industry, public services, and sectors such as tea and cinnamon, while rejecting Opposition claims on crime trends by citing homicide and grievous injury statistics for 2023 and 2024. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 (Continuation Day 7) Read →
- 25 February 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahman criticized the Government’s approach to consultation, saying it relied on supportive committees rather than farmer assemblies that had protested in Colombo. He argued that rice policy decisions favoured mill owners over farmers, citing meetings with millers and an increase of Rs. 10 that he said benefited them while farmers received Rs. 120 per kilo. He also questioned the Government’s claim that there were no cronies, alleging that a 50 MW wind power tender was granted with Cabinet approval despite procurement and appeal rejections to a person who had supported the campaign. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 (Continuation Day 7) Read →
- 25 February 2025 Hon. Ajith Gihan JJB AI summary Hon. Ajith Gihan defended the Budget as a production- and export-oriented programme aimed at reducing the deficit while prioritizing agriculture, food security, poverty alleviation, infrastructure, and fair distribution of economic benefits. He said allocations for agriculture, Aswesuma, transport and other services were intended to rebuild the economy and involve the wider population, contrasting this with previous Budgets that he said benefited select groups. He criticized the Opposition’s approach to the debate and said it should support national recovery, while noting plans to improve revenue collection and streamline trade through a new Customs Act to address leakages. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 (Continuation Day 7) Read →
- 25 February 2025 The Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi JJB AI summary Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi framed the 2025 Budget as a historic turning point comparable to the 1970 and 1977 Budgets, arguing that its central objective is the “democratization of the economy” through broader participation and fairer distribution of growth. He highlighted targets and measures including 5 per cent growth, investment in agriculture, food security, technology, agro-industry, digital transformation across 12 sectors, and improved public service efficiency and accountability. He also defended salary increases and private-sector wage interventions as necessary to raise purchasing power, and said the Budget seeks to deliver jobs, enterprises, better health and education, and national development. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 (Continuation Day 7) Read →
- 25 February 2025 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka criticized the Budget as departing from the Government’s manifesto, arguing that promised VAT removals and tax cuts had not materialized while revenue targets, withholding tax, excise measures, vehicle taxes, and import restrictions would burden ordinary people. He said support promised to fishers, farmers, unemployed graduates, and older job seekers was inadequate or absent, and alleged that paddy pricing decisions favoured millers over farmers. He urged the Government to allow previously granted vehicle permits for executive-grade and medical officers to be used. He also condemned an alleged threat made by a Government State Minister against Hon. Namal Rajapaksa and said the Opposition would not be intimidated. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 (Day 1-7) Read →
- 25 February 2025 Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development JJB AI summary The Minister said Sri Lanka has 26 domestic canned fish manufacturers with capacity far above local demand, producing over 500,000 tins daily against demand of about 180,000. He noted industry concerns over raw fish imports, tin supplies and VAT, but said VAT had not placed local producers at an undue disadvantage. He stated that Maximum Retail Prices of Rs. 380, Rs. 420 and Rs. 517 were introduced at manufacturers’ request, keeping domestic canned fish competitive against imported tins landing above Rs. 520. Oral Question: SriLankan Airlines (Q.3/2024) Read →