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- 25 February 2025 Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Hon. Kins Nelson raised concerns that the guaranteed paddy price applies only where moisture is capped at 14%, while many farmers, especially in the North Central Province, lack drying facilities and are forced to sell wet paddy at about Rs. 110. He said the Nadu rice shortage continues and that large millers are influencing both paddy and rice prices, and urged the Minister to intervene before the New Year to ensure fair prices for consumers and fair returns for farmers during the Maha harvest. Oral Question: SriLankan Airlines (Q.3/2024) Read →
- 25 February 2025 Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that the Rs. 65 per kilogram duty on imported rice is intended to protect domestic rice market prices and farmers’ paddy prices during the harvest period, noting the Government’s guaranteed paddy prices of Rs. 120 for Nadu and Rs. 125 for Samba. He said the Consumer Affairs Authority is monitoring mills and retailers for compliance with controlled prices, with 38 shops raided for overpricing. He added that one Polonnaruwa mill with substantial state bank loans was found to be dictating higher prices, and that special action would be taken to ensure prices do not exceed controlled levels. Oral Question: SriLankan Airlines (Q.3/2024) Read →
- 25 February 2025 Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development JJB AI summary The Minister provided year-by-year data on rice imports from 2015 to January 2025, including quantities, CIF values, source countries, and noted that the full list of importers had been placed in the Library as a soft copy. He said major import volumes occurred in 2015, 2017, 2018, 2021 and 2022, and explained that some specialty rice imports were made for diplomatic missions and specific restaurants with official authorization. He stated that 169,470 metric tons were imported between December 2024 and January 2025 in anticipation of shortages, while Government policy remains to promote domestic production, minimize imports, coordinate with relevant ministries to prevent shortages, and purchase paddy stocks to stabilize prices. Oral Question: SriLankan Airlines (Q.3/2024) Read →
- 25 February 2025 Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Hon. Kins Nelson requested detailed information from the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development on rice imports to Sri Lanka since 2015, including quantities, expenditure, source countries, and importing institutions. He also asked what measures the Government intends to take to reduce future rice imports, seeking an explanation if the information cannot be provided. Oral Question: SriLankan Airlines (Q.3/2024) Read →
- 24 February 2025 The Hon. Sunil Biyanwila JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Biyanwila defended the Government’s inaugural Budget, arguing that it has stabilized the economy and disproved Opposition claims about instability and threats to religion or tradition. He highlighted Budget measures to strengthen agriculture, including improving coconut yields, expanding maize cultivation, reducing imports of crops such as potatoes and onions by around 2027, developing dairy production, and increasing cooperative-sector capacity for produce marketing and paddy purchasing. He also stated that forthcoming public servant salary increases and continued Government delivery would undermine Opposition criticism, while reaffirming a commitment to hold those responsible for past crimes accountable. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Sixth Allotted Day Read →
- 24 February 2025 The Hon. Manjula Suraweera Arachchi JJB AI summary Manjula Suraweera Arachchi used the Budget Second Reading debate to highlight Nuwara Eliya District’s contribution to the national economy through tea, dairy, vegetables, potatoes and spices, while arguing that its people continue to face severe deprivation. He cited shortages and deficiencies in education, health, housing and roads, including teacher vacancies, limited advanced-level science facilities, under-equipped hospitals, line-room housing and thousands of poor roads. He said the Budget should mark a shift toward sharing the benefits of production with these communities through “economic democracy” and addressing long-standing neglect. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Sixth Allotted Day Read →
- 24 February 2025 The Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen SJB AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen said the Government has a moral responsibility to deliver on its election promises to the diverse communities that supported it. He requested that the Rs. 10 million allocated for each MP’s area be implemented with the input of all 225 MPs, and urged stronger programmes for farmers despite increased Budget allocations to education, agriculture and health. He thanked the Government for allocating Rs. 1,000 million for the Vattuvakal Bridge in Mullaitivu and called for rehabilitation of the Mannar–Puttalam road, including repair of three damaged bridges, to improve North-South connectivity and reduce travel distance. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Sixth Allotted Day Read →
- 24 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB AI summary Minister Upali Pannilage defended the NPP Government’s inaugural Budget as aligned with its “Prosperous Country – Beautiful Life” mandate and based on increasing production, broad public participation in production, and equitable distribution of growth. He highlighted allocations for agriculture, irrigation, fertilizer support, coconut expansion in the North, tourism development, and provincial and district development to reduce regional disparities. He also emphasized expanded investment in education, higher education scholarships, public health including medicine procurement and removal of VAT on medicine-related inputs, and over Rs. 700 billion for social welfare and protection. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Sixth Allotted Day Read →
- 24 February 2025 The Hon. Aravinda Senarath JJB AI summary Hon. Aravinda Senarath defended the National People’s Power Government’s first Budget, arguing that it sets a production-oriented economic direction after decades of policy failure and is aligned with the Government’s “Prosperous Country – Beautiful Life” mandate. He highlighted proposals on export expansion, investment facilitation, MSME revival, reduced public expenditure, salary increases for public servants and Pirivena teachers, support for pensioners, farmers and plantation communities, and a Rs. 619 billion allocation for education-related programmes. He criticized the Opposition for offering little constructive critique and accused previous UNP, SLFP and coalition governments of fostering underworld activity, while stating that the Government would control such activity through legal means. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Sixth Allotted Day Read →
- 24 February 2025 The Hon. Sudath Balagalla JJB AI summary Hon. Sudath Balagalla defended the Government’s 2025 maiden Budget as a response to long-standing failures in education, health, public services, agriculture, industry, governance and environmental management under previous administrations. Citing conditions in remote schools and hospitals in Mahiyanganaya, he argued that the Budget should prioritize rebuilding basic services and addressing inequalities faced by rural communities. He said the Government would support farmers through water, land, seed and a guaranteed paddy price margin of Rs. 120 per kilo, while securing rice stocks and promoting sustainable agriculture. He also referred to past efforts to protect land in Wellassa and stated that the Government would develop such land for the benefit of local people rather than follow previous privatization policies. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Sixth Allotted Day Read →
- 24 February 2025 The Hon. Nishantha Perera JJB AI summary The speech defended the NPP Government’s inaugural Budget by arguing that it inherited a damaged economy, high debt, weakened public services, and corruption from previous administrations. It cited past borrowing, alleged tax and procurement scandals, and relief to politically connected businesses as reasons for the crisis, while presenting Budget 2025 as a recovery plan focused on production, village-level investment, Clean Sri Lanka, human development, and digitization. The Member highlighted claims of reduced expenditure by the President, Prime Minister and Ministers, and outlined allocations for small tea growers, nurseries, replanting, mechanization, solar projects, and support to the gem industry. He also linked current underworld crime concerns to criminals allegedly nurtured by former regimes. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Sixth Allotted Day Read →
- 24 February 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake argued that investment and tourism in underdeveloped regions are being constrained by administrative delays and approval bottlenecks. He cautioned that abolishing SVAT should be accompanied by timely VAT refunds, otherwise delayed Inland Revenue refunds would deter investors. He also called for faster BOI and Port City approvals and urged officials to enable initiatives such as night visits to Sigiriya to increase tourism revenue, citing the President’s own concerns about lengthy approvals across multiple institutions. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Sixth Allotted Day Read →
- 24 February 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake welcomed measures on taxation, digitalization, public-private partnerships, SME loan settlement, port development, credit guarantees and SOE reforms, but questioned why no allocation was made for tourism. He queried the adequacy and location in the Budget of the Rs. 5 billion support for paddy purchasing, arguing it was small relative to the Maha harvest’s value. He also asked which sectors would receive priority capital to achieve export and FDI targets, and raised concerns that high domestic interest rates would undermine investment competitiveness compared with other countries. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Sixth Allotted Day Read →
- 22 February 2025 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary The Minister responded to concerns about bottom trawling and illegal fishing, stating that over 200 bottom trawl boats operate in Sri Lanka and that recent assessments and enforcement action have been undertaken. He said a forthcoming Bill would introduce provisions to restrict trawling to designated zones under specific licensing and controls, following consultations with fishers and leaders. He cited seizures of illegal fishing boats in Jaffna, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi and Mannar in 2023 and 2025, and called for enforcement, public awareness and cross-party support to eliminate destructive fishing methods. Adjournment Motion: Prevention of Unlawful Fishing Activities in the North Read →
- 22 February 2025 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary The Minister supported the motion on illegal fishing, identifying bottom trawling by pair/trawl boats as a major cause of damage to livelihoods and the marine environment in the Northern Province. He welcomed the issue being raised in Parliament and said he had intended to begin discussions with Tamil Members from the North and East, particularly Northern Province MPs. He stated that illegal fishing must be stopped. Adjournment Motion: Prevention of Unlawful Fishing Activities in the North Read →
- 22 February 2025 The Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy JJB AI summary Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy supported the Adjournment Motion on fisheries issues in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, noting their major historical contribution to Sri Lanka’s fish production and the national economy. He said war, displacement, illegal fishing, and transboundary incursions have severely damaged livelihoods, marine resources, and coral reefs, particularly in Jaffna. He urged the Fisheries Ministry and relevant authorities to take immediate action to address these problems and protect affected fishers’ livelihoods. Adjournment Motion: Prevention of Unlawful Fishing Activities in the North Read →
- 22 February 2025 The Hon. Roshan Akmeemana JJB AI summary Hon. Roshan Akmeemana reported recent enforcement action against fisheries-related offences, citing raids and prosecutions in Jaffna, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi, Mannar, and Trincomalee, including 18 cases in Trincomalee in January and 8 in the first half of February. He said enforcement alone is insufficient because the legal framework is not yet complete, and noted resource constraints in the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, including limited staff and vehicles. He stated that the government recognizes the seriousness of the issue, is working to address it quickly, and seeks cooperation from the Opposition and fishing communities. Adjournment Motion: Prevention of Unlawful Fishing Activities in the North Read →
- 22 February 2025 The Hon. Roshan Akmeemana JJB AI summary Hon. Roshan Akmeemana said prohibited fishing methods such as purse seine nets, dynamite, and light-based fishing are causing serious hardship for coastal fishing communities in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, including Trincomalee, across ethnic lines. He argued that the issue must be understood in the context of inadequate state support for fishers’ livelihoods, which can drive some local fishers into illegal practices. He noted that the Government has begun coordinated enforcement with the Navy, Coast Guard, Police, and a dedicated task force, including plans for a joint Navy/Coast Guard checkpoint near Nandikadal Lagoon and Mullivaikkal to curb dynamite fishing. Adjournment Motion: Prevention of Unlawful Fishing Activities in the North Read →
- 22 February 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam seconded the Adjournment Motion on behalf of Northern fishermen, arguing that illegal fishing is destroying Northern marine resources and threatening fishing livelihoods. He urged the Fisheries Minister, Hon. Chandrasegar, to press Cabinet for immediate action and said ITAK MPs would support him by applying external pressure. He referred to the 2017 Private Member’s Bill brought by Hon. M.A. Sumanthiran that became law, and warned that failure to resolve the issue had damaged the position of the previous Minister, Hon. Douglas Devananda. Adjournment Motion: Prevention of Unlawful Fishing Activities in the North Read →
- 22 February 2025 The Hon. Nandana Pathmakumara JJB AI summary Hon. Nandana Pathmakumara supported the 2025 Budget presented by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake as Minister of Finance, arguing that it is directed toward health, education, moral development, agriculture, environmental cleanliness, and improved public services. He cited allocations for Triposha and nutrition, non-communicable disease treatment, Suwa Sariya, hospital management committees, education at all levels, religious-based moral education, and sports, while linking these to the Government’s wider objectives of “Clean Sri Lanka” and a prosperous country. He criticized the Opposition as politically motivated and said public trust in the Government’s relief measures and programmes would be reflected at the forthcoming local government elections. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate (Fifth Allotted Day) Read →