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- 6 February 2025 The Hon. R.G. Wijerathna JJB AI summary Hon. R.G. Wijerathna supported the regulations under the Intellectual Property Act, No. 36 of 2003, to register geographical indications, arguing that they would protect producers and exporters, improve product quality, raise prices for standardized goods, and support a production-based economy. He said the proposed registration of agricultural products, foodstuffs, handicrafts, and other products could help revive rural industries, strengthen livelihoods, and reduce rural poverty if accompanied by infrastructure, funding, and removal of legal barriers. He also cited an alleged misuse of Pradeshiya Sabha land at Rikillagaskada as an example of local-level obstruction and said corrective legal steps had begun under the present Government. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna JJB AI summary Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna responded to earlier remarks on coconut prices, arguing that profitability conditions have changed since earlier periods of very low land lease costs. He stated that the Government is seeking to restore Sri Lanka’s international reputation after a period marked by heavy borrowing and extrajudicial killings, and defended the use of locally produced cashews at the Independence ceremony. He concluded by quoting the Dhammapada on the value of learning and wisdom. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB AI summary The Minister supported regulations under the Intellectual Property Act, No. 36 of 2003, to register geographical indications, noting their role in preventing misuse, protecting reputation, and increasing economic value. He argued that Sri Lanka had delayed too long in implementing such regulations and cited historical examples of the global value of Sri Lankan gems, cinnamon, and spices. He proposed extending geographical indication protection beyond Ceylon Tea and Ceylon Cinnamon to products such as Anamaduwa cashew, regional rice, betel, flowers, chilies, Kalpitiya fruits, pottery, brassware, cane products, and white coconut oil, saying recognition and standardization could create international markets for producer communities. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan urged government support for the palmyrah-based cottage industry in the North and Vanni, including export facilitation for food and craft products and reconsideration of restrictions affecting the use of mature palmyrah trees. He called for stronger action to control monkeys and elephants that damage farmers’ livelihoods, questioned the practicality of a proposed monkey census, and suggested export or other population-control measures. He also proposed importing foreign fruit seeds for domestic cultivation and export, demanded enforcement of controlled prices across all retailers rather than only SATHOSA, and said allegations circulating about him on Facebook should be reported to the Police or authorities for legal action. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan welcomed the Government’s announcement of a guaranteed price for paddy and its plan to procure from farmers, noting that this responds to a long-standing demand. He urged the Government to also consider compensation for losses faced by producers of black gram, vegetables, and other minor grains, arguing that support for these farmers would strengthen agricultural production. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Padmasiri Bandara JJB AI summary Hon. Padmasiri Bandara supported the regulations under the Intellectual Property Act for registering geographical indications, arguing that they would make an existing law operational and help protect and promote Sri Lankan products domestically and internationally. He rejected Opposition criticisms and said past governments had damaged Sri Lanka’s reputation, while the current government would not neglect pending legal issues relating to past killings. Referring to Polonnaruwa, he said rice brands, farming communities, national parks, reservoirs and heritage sites should be developed into nationally and internationally recognized assets without dispossessing existing businesses. He also linked intellectual property to retaining and attracting Sri Lankan expertise, stating that legal frameworks would be used to strengthen the country’s development and global image. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Lal Premanath JJB AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath supported the regulations under the Intellectual Property Act, No. 36 of 2003, to register geographical indications, arguing that Sri Lanka should use them to protect and promote products with distinctive geographic and cultural origins. He said such protections, including under frameworks like WTO TRIPS, would help prevent misuse and strengthen the production economy. Citing Ceylon Tea, cinnamon, and mee kiri as examples, he pledged that the Government would develop Sri Lanka’s unique resources into internationally recognized products. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Ismail Muththu Mohamed AI summary Hon. Ismail Muththu Mohamed raised several development and administrative issues affecting Vavuniya District during the debate on intellectual property. He welcomed the guaranteed price and procurement scheme for paddy but requested local procurement sub-offices in areas such as Chettikulam and Nedunkerny to avoid farmers incurring transport losses. He urged the release of cultivable lands and tank areas held by the Forest and Wildlife Conservation Departments, the provision of land permits and titles to residents, and faster approvals for tank rehabilitation. He also called for traffic signals near major schools in Vavuniya town and proper village and university signboards to improve safety and access. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Lieutenant Commander (Rtd.) Prageeth Madhuranga JJB AI summary The Hon. Lieutenant Commander (Rtd.) Prageeth Madhuranga supported the approval of regulations under the Intellectual Property Act for registering geographical indications, stating that GIs protect authenticity, prevent unauthorized use, and increase product value. He noted that while Ceylon Tea and Ceylon Cinnamon are already recognized, products such as Ceylon Pepper, King Coconut, pineapple, palmyrah, kithul, Jaffna mango, crafts, and textiles could also be registered through associations or cooperatives. He argued that GI registration would support the Government’s production economy agenda and cited international examples and price increases to encourage regions to pursue registrations. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara JJB AI summary The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara supported the regulations under the Intellectual Property Act, No. 36 of 2003, arguing that geographical indications and stronger quality standards could protect brands such as “Ceylon Tea” and prevent damage caused by low-quality exports. He cited recent foreign exchange earnings to show the relative decline of traditional exports such as tea, rubber, and coconut, and said higher-value, standards-based production could improve agricultural incomes and export revenue. He linked the regulations to the Government’s policy focus on a production economy, agriculture, modern technology, and value addition, and called on producers to act honestly in implementing the new framework. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper urged that, before implementing the relevant registration regulations, small-scale and regional producers be consulted and made aware of their importance, particularly for products associated with specific areas such as Jaffna, Valvettithurai, Maruthamunai and Valaichchenai. He requested a special initial programme, including simple and affordable legal aid for registration, noting that costs such as travel to Colombo and fees of over Rs. 45,000 would be burdensome for local entrepreneurs. He also raised concerns that the application process lacks a mechanism to verify whether registered products are genuinely sourced from the claimed region, warning that this could enable misuse, adulteration and false regional branding. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper supported the regulations under the Intellectual Property Act to register geographical indications, describing them as broadly commendable and important for protecting and marketing Sri Lanka’s region-specific products. He urged the Minister of Trade to consult experts and ensure accurate understanding of geographical indications, distinguishing them from trademarks and noting their basis in international intellectual property frameworks such as WIPO and TRIPS. He cited examples such as Ceylon Tea, king coconut, Maruthamunai handloom sarongs, regional curd, dodol, thalaguli and cashew to argue that Sri Lanka should better protect and promote products linked to particular places and traditions. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary Dr. Nalinda Jayathissa rejected Opposition allegations of corruption against the government, stating that its actions were intended to ease burdens on the public. Referring to the day’s Geographical Indications regulations, he said the government was advancing long-delayed work to promote Sri Lankan products such as tea, cinnamon, pepper, minerals, and palmyrah products in global markets. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Dinesh Hemantha JJB AI summary Hon. Dinesh Hemantha supported the operationalization of geographical indication regulations under the Intellectual Property Act, No. 36 of 2003, arguing that long-delayed implementation had deprived Sri Lankan exporters and producers of higher-value market opportunities. He cited international and local examples, including Colombian coffee and Sri Lankan cinnamon, gems, crafts, masks and palm products, and said GI protection could improve prices and export prospects. He also defended the Government’s positions on land and labour reforms as aimed at fair production and income distribution, and said vehicle imports would be managed cautiously to protect foreign reserves, inflation stability and export competitiveness. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary Ramalingam Chandrasekar supported amendments to the Intellectual Property Act aimed at strengthening legal ownership and protection for Sri Lankan products, including through geographical indications and related mechanisms. He argued that protections should extend beyond well-known products such as Ceylon Tea to palmyrah-based products, noting their production across 11 districts, the existence of hundreds of related products, and projected revenue potential. He proposed that ownership of protected palmyrah products be vested in palmyrah development associations rather than individuals, and said the Government had begun efforts to revive a sector damaged over previous decades. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Priyantha Wijerathna, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Priyantha Wijerathna supported the 2024 regulations under the Intellectual Property Act to enable domestic registration of Geographical Indications, arguing that Sri Lanka had lacked an operative registration framework despite the concept being included in law in 2003 and amended in 2022. He said the regulations would allow products such as Ceylon Tea and Ceylon Cinnamon to be registered locally and better protected and marketed internationally. He urged the Government to identify and register further potential GIs, including sapphires, pepper, cashew, natural salt from Panama, and curd from Digamadulla, linking the measure to export promotion, rural production, and economic development. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Nilusha Lakmali Gamage JJB AI summary Hon. Nilusha Lakmali Gamage supported the regulations under the Intellectual Property Act to establish registration of Geographical Indications, explaining their role in protecting products whose qualities or reputation are linked to a specific place. She said the 2022 amendment enables domestic and foreign GI registration in Sri Lanka, which could raise producer incomes, improve export value, protect against counterfeits, and benefit consumers. She emphasized that GI applications must be collective through associations, and identified potential Sri Lankan products such as Ceylon Tea, Ceylon Cinnamon, cashew, pepper, Ambalangoda masks, and Ratnapura gems. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Mohamed Sali Naleem AI summary Hon. Mohamed Sali Naleem supported the debate on regulations under the Intellectual Property Act relating to Geographical Indications and urged legal action against those involved in theft, robbery, or fraud. He raised concerns over declining cashew production in Batticaloa due to disease, proposing sapling distribution and Cashew Corporation plans to restore production as an export earner, while also requesting machinery and equipment to support palmyrah and cashew-related livelihoods. He further asked the Government to return land taken from Aligarh National School by the Eravur Police Station and suggested releasing nearby Coconut Cultivation Board land to address space constraints faced by the police station and Magistrate’s Court. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath raised North and East livelihood issues in the context of the IP Regulations, urging faster paddy procurement at controlled prices, temporary deployment of officers, increased storage capacity, and resolution of unavailable storage facilities including the Alayadivembu store. He requested flood mitigation and infrastructure measures, including rehabilitation of Kiran Bridge and priority for the Kithul–Rugam linkage, and called for stronger action against illegal fishing plus a new fishery harbour at Kaluwankeni. He also proposed reviving the Batticaloa paper mill, promoting cashew, coconut and agro-industry projects, addressing long-pending housing titles in Eravur, preventing police intimidation at civilian memorials, and developing a local economic model to reduce youth migration. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Chandana Thennakoon JJB AI summary Hon. Chandana Thennakoon supported the overdue regulations on geographical indications, stating that GIs protect products whose qualities are linked to specific regions and can benefit all compliant producers through legal protection, higher prices, consumer trust, and export promotion. He argued that Sri Lanka should strengthen GI protection for products such as Ceylon Tea, Ceylon Cinnamon, Ceylon Pepper, Ceylon Cashew, Ceylon King Coconut, and regional goods like Southern buffalo curd to prevent misuse, support rural producers, and promote tourism. He said the Government would promote a production economy, provide facilities to producers, and advance exports. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →