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- 22 February 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Lalith Kumara JJB AI summary Hon. Chaminda Lalith Kumara supported the 2025 Budget, stating that the Government’s mandate enabled it to redirect savings from reduced political privileges toward public benefits, including salary increases, support for workers, domestic industry, and production. He emphasized agriculture and food security, citing fertilizer support, irrigation allocations, and the goal of meeting a significant share of nutritional needs domestically. He urged officials to implement allocations efficiently within the remaining months of the year and called on the Opposition to contribute constructively to rebuilding sectors such as transport, health, and education. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate (Fifth Allotted Day) Read →
- 22 February 2025 The Hon. Nishantha Perera JJB AI summary Hon. Nishantha Perera raised a second supplementary question regarding LRC lands in the Goluwamulla GN Division. He asked whether those lands had been allocated for government or industrial purposes and sought clarification on current activities there, including cinnamon cultivation and any subdivision or sale of the land. Oral Questions: STaRR Project (Q.1/2025), KL-2 Project Kalutara (Q.2/2025), Lands - Elpitiya DS (Q.3/2025), Meegahakiula Bus Station (Q.4/2025) Read →
- 22 February 2025 The Hon. Nishantha Perera JJB AI summary Asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation a question regarding lands owned by the Land Reform Commission in the Elpitiya Divisional Secretary’s Division. The matter was raised in the context of identifying or obtaining information on LRC-owned lands in that area. Oral Questions: STaRR Project (Q.1/2025), KL-2 Project Kalutara (Q.2/2025), Lands - Elpitiya DS (Q.3/2025), Meegahakiula Bus Station (Q.4/2025) Read →
- 22 February 2025 Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the 2025 allocation for the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure includes multiple programmes to support the tea sector, including grants for smallholder replanting, new planting, infilling, mechanization, irrigation, transport equipment, nursery establishment, and factory upgrades. He said payments due from the previous year’s replanting programme would also be settled in 2025, and outlined additional measures such as solar panels for factories and support for plucking teams. The remarks were made in response to concerns raised about Government support for tea cultivation. Oral Questions: STaRR Project (Q.1/2025), KL-2 Project Kalutara (Q.2/2025), Lands - Elpitiya DS (Q.3/2025), Meegahakiula Bus Station (Q.4/2025) Read →
- 22 February 2025 The Hon. T.K. Jayasundara JJB AI summary Asked what concrete measures and future policy direction are included in the current Budget for the tea industry. The question sought clarification on the Government’s planned support and forward path for that sector. Oral Questions: STaRR Project (Q.1/2025), KL-2 Project Kalutara (Q.2/2025), Lands - Elpitiya DS (Q.3/2025), Meegahakiula Bus Station (Q.4/2025) Read →
- 22 February 2025 The Hon. T.K. Jayasundara JJB AI summary T.K. Jayasundara asked the Minister whether the STaRR Project, intended to revive the tea industry, had achieved its objectives and improved effectiveness. He also sought clarification on whether any irregularities had been identified in the project and what action had been taken in response. Oral Questions: STaRR Project (Q.1/2025), KL-2 Project Kalutara (Q.2/2025), Lands - Elpitiya DS (Q.3/2025), Meegahakiula Bus Station (Q.4/2025) Read →
- 22 February 2025 Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary In response to a parliamentary question, the Minister stated that although the tea industry has faced setbacks, 2024 production rose to 262 million kilograms, the highest in three years. He provided details of the IFAD-supported Smallholder Tea and Rubber Revitalization Project, including Rs. 8,703.71 million disbursed as a loan on blended terms repayable by 2040, its administrative officers, and tea replanting of 4,131.798 hectares across six districts. He said Rs. 325,765 was paid per acre for replanting, administrative expenditure was Rs. 538.618 million by April 2024, field operations ended in September 2023, the project closed in March 2024, and there were no outstanding payments to growers. Oral Questions: STaRR Project (Q.1/2025), KL-2 Project Kalutara (Q.2/2025), Lands - Elpitiya DS (Q.3/2025), Meegahakiula Bus Station (Q.4/2025) Read →
- 22 February 2025 The Hon. T.K. Jayasundara JJB AI summary A question was directed to the Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure seeking details on the “STaRR” Project as it relates to the tea industry. The intervention appears to request information on the project’s scope, implementation, and relevance to plantation-sector development. Oral Questions: STaRR Project (Q.1/2025), KL-2 Project Kalutara (Q.2/2025), Lands - Elpitiya DS (Q.3/2025), Meegahakiula Bus Station (Q.4/2025) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Rasamanickam raised concerns over recurring elephant-train collisions and wider human-elephant conflict in Batticaloa, including crop damage and delays in supplying elephant firecrackers. He asked the Government to state whether it would implement resolutions from the Batticaloa District Development Committee and proposed practical measures such as sensors, improved lighting, and addressing visibility problems near rail bends. He urged Ministers to use Adjournment debates to provide solutions rather than political responses, while expressing willingness to work with the Government on remedial measures. Adjournment Motion: Elephant Deaths Due to Train Collisions Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera addressed the Motion on human–elephant conflict, linking the issue to historical development, irrigation and agricultural expansion that reduced elephant habitats, while stressing that responsibility should be shared across governments. He questioned whether the 2025 Budget contains any specific allocation, particularly for preventing elephant-train collisions, and asked the Minister to clarify the proposed technological solutions. He called for a cross-party, science-based approach involving wildlife, railway and other experts, and for better coordination among relevant departments to find a fair solution for people, elephants and the economy. Adjournment Motion: Elephant Deaths Due to Train Collisions Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Sudath Balagalla JJB AI summary Hon. Sudath Balagalla seconded the Adjournment Motion on the human-elephant conflict, arguing that successive governments had failed to provide wildlife with habitat, water, and food while also failing affected communities. He said the government would take responsibility for wildlife management by building tanks, ensuring forage, and creating forest corridors, noting that eight of 12 elephant corridors are blocked and should be addressed. He also briefly rejected Opposition criticism on paddy prices, stating that the government had scientific and policy responses to both human and animal welfare concerns. Adjournment Motion: Elephant Deaths Due to Train Collisions Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Chrishantha Abeysena - Minister of Science and Technology JJB AI summary The Minister defended the Government’s first Budget, arguing that the economic collapse and institutional weaknesses were rooted in past administrations and that the current priority is economic stabilization, productivity, exports, and rebuilding confidence. He said Rs. 20.9 billion has been allocated across government for science and technology, including funds for health testing, plantation crops, fisheries, farming, bamboo cultivation, and universities, with Rs. 5 billion to his Ministry. He also responded to criticism on public-sector pay, stating that past allowance-based salary adjustments created disparities and that the proposed increases would reach full implementation within one year and nine months from April 2025, without new taxes in the Budget. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB AI summary Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna supported the 2025 Budget, arguing that it is designed to stabilize the economy, revive agriculture, and address long-neglected regional needs, including in the North. He highlighted allocations for agricultural modernization, small-scale agri-enterprises, seed production, livestock development, dairy self-sufficiency, environmental protection, education reform, and rural innovation. He said the Government’s approach is to build a productive, technology-driven economy with opportunities for youth, entrepreneurs, farmers, women, and other affected groups, rather than returning to previous policy paths. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Upul Kithsiri JJB AI summary Hon. Upul Kithsiri defended the 2025 Budget as a forward development plan of a government in office for only three months, while noting that unpaid liabilities from past projects still constrain implementation. He highlighted salary increases, the procedure for Rs. 10 million decentralized MP allocations, expected foreign investment following visits to India and China, and new welfare measures for persons with disabilities and children in probation homes. He also cited allocations for mental health programmes, rural drinking water, rural roads, export agriculture, and value-added sectors such as gems and spices, while rejecting claims that districts such as Galle had been neglected. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Fasmin Sharif JJB AI summary Hon. Fasmin Sharif supported the 2025 Budget, describing it as inclusive and highlighting allocations for drinking water, welfare payments, public servants’ salaries, estate-sector housing and training, plantation wages, transport, agriculture, education, exports, and logistics infrastructure. He said Gampola had long been neglected despite its tourism potential and requested further funding for public facilities, water supply, hotels, spice gardens, and related development. He also raised concerns over alleged wasteful spending and poor official decisions linked to flood management in Akkurana, requesting ministerial attention and action. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka SJB AI summary Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka criticised the 2025 Budget, arguing that the Government was claiming credit for an economic recovery that official reports show began in 2023, and questioned the medium-term plan to manage the primary balance given recurrent expenditure exceeding revenue. He said the Budget relies heavily on increased indirect taxes that burden poorer households while providing a smaller allocation for public sector salary increases, and warned that planned new borrowing of Rs. 4,000 billion would add future burdens. He acknowledged some expenditure control but raised concerns over agriculture, paddy prices, fertilizer support, and the feasibility of the Government’s rice market interventions. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Lieutenant Commander (Rtd.) Prageeth Madhuranga JJB AI summary Lt. Commander (Rtd.) Prageeth Madhuranga defended the Rs. 100 million allocation for a feasibility study on using rail to transport agricultural produce from Thambuttegama and other hubs, arguing it could reduce post-harvest losses, prices, and road congestion. He rejected claims that a recent High Court incident reflected a national security failure, stating suspects had been arrested and that the 2025 Budget’s Rs. 404 billion security allocation, including aircraft and patrol craft procurement, was adequate because wasteful security deployments had been curtailed. He highlighted allocations for poverty relief and social empowerment, including increased Aswesuma payments and extended transitional assistance, alongside major health and education funding. He argued that anti-corruption governance, fiscal management, and support for a production economy would help attract FDI and achieve growth. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP AI summary Chanaka Madugoda said the Opposition viewed the Government’s inaugural Budget with cautious optimism and asked that its criticisms be used constructively, while welcoming measures such as public sector salary increases, welfare enhancements, digitization funding, and some agricultural allocations. He questioned whether proposed private sector wages, estate worker daily wages, graduate recruitment commitments, and funding for export crops and smallholders were adequate, and argued that allocations for “Sri Lankan Day” and “Clean Sri Lanka” appeared duplicative. He also urged attention to Galle District needs, including the Greater Galle Water Project Phase II, MCC Road, central Galle development, and Wakwella Bridge, and raised concerns about practical transport facilities for MPs from modest backgrounds. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne defended the Government’s first Budget, saying it should be assessed over the full five-year mandate and four remaining budgets, and argued that it does not burden the general public. He listed increased allocations and benefits for education, health, agriculture, welfare, irrigation, vocational training, fertilizer subsidies, public sector salaries, reduced fuel and electricity prices, and the proposed development bank to support rural livelihoods. He contrasted the Budget with previous administrations’ budgets, stating that ministerial and presidential privileges, official residences, vehicle use, and large vote-head allocations have been curtailed as part of a promised change in political culture. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana said the first NPP Budget’s impact would only be clear after implementation, and urged the Government to provide transparent details on the promised phased public-sector salary increases and not reverse them after elections. He warned that the projected Rs. 325 billion salary cost could rise with new recruitment and said revenue targets from excise, customs, inland revenue, exports, and tourism must be managed carefully to avoid future tax increases. He also called for revising vehicle import tax structures to reduce burdens on small cars while taxing luxury vehicles more, and urged the Government to protect both farmers and consumers through fair paddy prices, limits on routine rice imports, and action against exploitative milling and harvesting practices. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →