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- 19 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera raised concerns that the objectives of the Holuwagoda initiative have not been fully achieved, noting that about 4,000 acres have become heavily waterlogged, including paddy lands now unsuitable for other cultivation. He said the new Government is planning measures to reduce accumulated water, but requested a proper review of the project, particularly as expected tourism benefits have not materialized due to low foreign arrivals. Oral Questions: Holuwagoda Development Project and Sports Facilities Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera JJB AI summary Dr. Nishantha Samaraweera asked the Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure to report on the current status of the Holuwagoda Development Project. He sought details on the extent of agricultural land expected to be developed, obstacles preventing its agricultural use, and whether the project’s benefits have materialized in proportion to the expenditure incurred. Oral Questions: Holuwagoda Development Project and Sports Facilities Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha - Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation presented the 2023 Annual Report of the Central Advisory Unit on Engineering Works. He proposed that the report be referred to the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, and the proposal was agreed to. Papers Presented: Annual Reports and Ministry Statements Read →
- 18 February 2025 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe welcomed beneficial measures in the Budget and said the Opposition would support positive initiatives while guiding the Government where needed. He urged timely guaranteed prices and irrigation funding for flood-affected farmers in the Eastern Province, especially Ampara, and called for greater education allocations, including development of South Eastern University with proposed Faculties of Medicine and Law. He also stated that the Opposition is ready for elections, called for a new Constitution to address the ethnic question, and raised concern that the Clean Sri Lanka programme has not yet adequately included Tamil or Muslim representation. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Read →
- 18 February 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper argued that the 2025 Budget has neglected the Eastern Province, citing only a brief reference to development through Indian multi-sector grant assistance and no substantive domestic allocations for key needs. He highlighted recent flood damage linked to Gal Oya/Senanayake Samudraya, calling for downstream development, a secondary dam, proper bridge repairs, and smart irrigation planning to address climate change impacts on agriculture. He also said the Budget lacks provisions for Eastern tourism and transport infrastructure, including rail improvements serving destinations such as Nilaveli, Arugam Bay/Pottuvil and Pasikudah. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Read →
- 18 February 2025 The Hon. Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary Deputy Minister Harshana Suriyapperuma outlined Budget allocations across key sectors, including transport, water, housing, regional development, food security, environmental protection, entrepreneurship, energy, and other public services. He stated that these allocations, such as Rs. 73.9 billion for railways, Rs. 254 billion for food security, and Rs. 190 billion for quality-of-life facilities, are intended to support the Government’s economic programme to rebuild the country. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Read →
- 17 February 2025 The Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayaka AI summary Anura Kumara Dissanayaka outlined budget proposals covering overseas workers, senior citizens, anti-drug programmes, prisoner skills training, and transport infrastructure. Measures included increasing duty-free allowances for returning migrant workers, funding a 3 per cent additional interest scheme for senior citizens’ fixed deposits, allocating Rs. 500 million for drug prevention and rehabilitation, and expanding vocational training for prisoners. He also proposed major public transport investments, including low-floor buses, rail coach refurbishment and local production, studies for Kelani Valley Line extension, agricultural freight by rail, and continued support for the Kandy Multimodal Transport Terminal. On SriLankan Airlines, he said the Treasury would allocate Rs. 20,000 million in 2025 for legacy debt servicing, while requiring the airline to fund daily operations through improved profitability. Appropriation Bill, 2025: Second Reading - Debate Adjourned Read →
- 17 February 2025 Ministerial Consultative Committee on Irrigation and Rural Infrastructure AI summary The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Irrigation and Rural Infrastructure met on 17 February 2025 under the chairmanship of Hon. K. V. Samantha Vidyaratna. The attendance included members from both government and opposition, indicating a committee session rather than a substantive parliamentary speech or debate contribution. Parliamentary Structure and Committees Read →
- 17 February 2025 Ministerial Consultative Committee on Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources AI summary The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources is listed with Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar as Chairman and a group of Members serving on the Committee. The entry records the Committee’s membership for the parliamentary record and does not include a substantive speech, policy position, proposal, or question. Parliamentary Structure and Committees Read →
- 17 February 2025 Ministerial Consultative Committee on Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation AI summary The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation met on 17 February 2025 under the chairmanship of Hon. K. D. Lal Kantha, with the participation of ministers and members from government and opposition. The listing records the members present, indicating committee consideration of matters within the agriculture, livestock, lands and irrigation portfolio, but no specific debate content, proposals, questions, or decisions are provided in the excerpt. Parliamentary Structure and Committees Read →
- 14 February 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa presented the 2019 Annual Report of the National Livestock Development Board and the 2019 Performance Report of the Department of Agrarian Development on behalf of the relevant Minister. He moved that the reports be referred to the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, and the motion was agreed to. Tabling of Papers: Auditor-General Reports and Ministerial Orders Read →
- 7 February 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara urged the Government to ensure paddy procurement prices are competitive with prevailing market rates, warning that otherwise farmers will sell to private traders and state purchasing efforts will fail. He proposed expediting Yala cultivation, considering an additional crop where possible, and providing prompt credit support to small millers through District Secretaries to strengthen procurement and supply. He also called for proper stock management and rotation of purchased rice to avoid past mismanagement, framing the motion as a cooperative effort to protect both farmers and consumers. Private Members' Motion 3: Making Arrangements for Maintaining a Rice Reserve Read →
- 7 February 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister said the Government is implementing a programme to maintain rice availability and price stability through guaranteed paddy prices, state procurement, and market intervention via the Paddy Marketing Board, SATOSA, and cooperatives. He stated that Rs. 5 billion has been allocated to the PMB, with additional bank-backed financing including a planned Rs. 10 billion pledge loan for SATOSA, and that the Government aims to procure about 10 per cent of the season’s paddy, store it mainly as paddy, and mill and sell rice below market prices. He also outlined plans to use private and state mills, reopen storage and milling capacity, and increase Yala production to offset flood-related Maha shortfalls and prevent further market instability. Private Members' Motion 3: Making Arrangements for Maintaining a Rice Reserve Read →
- 7 February 2025 The Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB AI summary Hon. Imran Maharoof supported the motion to establish a programme for maintaining Government rice stocks, while questioning whether current controlled rice prices benefit farmers, consumers, or intermediaries. He highlighted difficulties faced by farmers in the Eastern Province, particularly Trincomalee, including flood damage, inadequate drying facilities, damaged agricultural roads, and unrepaired tanks. He called for compensation, infrastructure repairs, tank rehabilitation, and broader programmes to protect and encourage farmers. Private Members' Motion 3: Making Arrangements for Maintaining a Rice Reserve Read →
- 7 February 2025 The Hon. Upul Kithsiri JJB AI summary Hon. Upul Kithsiri welcomed Hon. Rohana Bandara’s private member’s motion and said the Government was already taking steps to address paddy and rice price stability. He argued that current paddy prices reflect reduced production costs compared with 2021–2022, citing lower fertilizer and land preparation costs, and said prices were being set to balance farmer and consumer interests. He stated that the Government was strengthening SATOSA and cooperatives through a public-private programme to maintain rice reserves, including inspections of storage facilities such as the Ambilipitiya rice store, and aimed to prevent stock shortages and price instability. Private Members' Motion 3: Making Arrangements for Maintaining a Rice Reserve Read →
- 7 February 2025 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan supported Hon. Rohana Bandara’s Private Member’s Motion calling for the Government to maintain an official rice reserve and storage system. He argued that despite the East’s role as a major paddy-producing region, Sri Lanka continues to face shortages and imports, while private hoarding and profiteering affect poor consumers. He urged the Government to ensure fair prices, equitable distribution, prevention of shortages and price spikes, and proper storage standards to avoid spoilage and protect rice quality. Private Members' Motion 3: Making Arrangements for Maintaining a Rice Reserve Read →
- 7 February 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri supported Hon. Rohana Bandara’s motion as a potential means to curb the dominance of large rice millers, but questioned whether the Government had the capacity to implement it. He challenged inconsistent claims about paddy production costs and fertilizer subsidies, asking how costs could have fallen when inputs, machinery, and land preparation costs had increased. He called for a practical, time-bound plan for purchasing paddy, maintaining a rice buffer, and milling paddy into rice, arguing that concrete implementation would reduce miller dominance and build public confidence. Private Members' Motion 3: Making Arrangements for Maintaining a Rice Reserve Read →
- 7 February 2025 The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB AI summary Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna supported Hon. Rohana Bandara’s motion on paddy and rice sector issues, stating that the Government had already begun interventions after reviewing the decline in Paddy Marketing Board procurement and storage capacity. He said 166 stores had been refurbished, Treasury funds allocated for paddy purchases, and warehouses opened in key producing provinces, while abandoned facilities and mills were being restored to supply rice at subsidized prices. He also said the Government was addressing seed quality through local production and regulating substandard agrochemicals, and cited official estimates that current paddy prices generally covered production costs for farmers. Private Members' Motion 3: Making Arrangements for Maintaining a Rice Reserve Read →
- 7 February 2025 The Hon. Chathura Galappaththi SJB AI summary Hon. Chathura Galappaththi supported the proposal to maintain a government buffer stock of rice but argued that storing paddy alone is insufficient because emergency rice supply depends on milling capacity, which he said is limited and contributes to market concentration. He proposed that the Government maintain buffer stocks of milled rice as well as paddy, citing a 2012 pilot project near Veyangoda using mechanical aeration that reportedly stored rice for over 15 months at low cost. He said such a system would support national food security, bridge seasonal supply gaps, enable emergency access to rice, and help stabilize retail prices. Private Members' Motion 3: Making Arrangements for Maintaining a Rice Reserve Read →
- 7 February 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Rohana Bandara moved a Private Member’s Motion urging the Government to establish and maintain a public rice reserve to counter monopoly control in the rice market, stabilize prices, and reduce reliance on imports. He argued that farmer protection and consumer affordability must be balanced through a fair guaranteed paddy price, improved seed quality, regulation of agro-input prices and standards, and removal of taxes and duties on agricultural inputs and machinery. He proposed using revenue collected from rice import duties to create a Rs. 100 billion fund, managed jointly with institutions such as the Paddy Marketing Board, farmer organizations, SANASA, and the Consumer Affairs Authority, to finance paddy purchasing, storage, and market intervention on a continuous basis. Private Members' Motion 3: Making Arrangements for Maintaining a Rice Reserve Read →