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. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary The Member spoke in support of regulations on geographical indications, urging the Government to go beyond registration procedures and actively protect Sri Lankan product reputations and enforce intellectual property rights. He called for rebuilding national brands in tea, spices, rubber, coconut products, garments, fisheries and tuna, including through value addition, cultivation support and the use of embassies to secure markets. He also raised concerns about bribery and administrative rackets, safety issues from wind turbines in Kalpitiya, and urged urgent action to rescue Sri Lankans reportedly being abused by criminal groups in Myanmar. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Kanchana Welipitiya JJB AI summary The Hon. Kanchana Welipitiya supported Regulations under the Intellectual Property Act to establish a stronger geographical indication regime as part of the Government’s production-oriented economic programme. He argued that GI protection would help Sri Lankan products such as tea, cinnamon, pepper, blue sapphires and Ruhuna buffalo curd gain recognition, premium prices and export competitiveness by legally linking quality and origin. He contrasted Sri Lanka’s limited progress with countries such as China, Germany, Georgia and India, and said the Government’s policy aims to use GIs to expand rural producer incomes and export opportunities. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB AI summary Raised a point of order concerning delayed compensation for farmers affected by crop damage. He argued that the Government should already have gathered the necessary information and acted, noting that farmers lack funds to prepare seed paddy and that any further two-week delay would push assistance beyond the current season. Questions Under Standing Order 27(2) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Sivagnanam Shritharan raised questions under Standing Order 27(2) to the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation on flood damage to paddy cultivation during 2024/2025, particularly affecting smallholder farmers in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. He asked for national and regional figures on damaged paddy lands and affected farmers, and details of insurance, compensation, or relief schemes. He also urged immediate issuance of compensation application forms in Kilinochchi, noting that harvesting had largely begun or ended before the guaranteed paddy price was announced and that yields had fallen sharply due to flooding. Questions Under Standing Order 27(2) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar tabled a response stating that shrimp production and export earnings have declined sharply, with Puttalam District output falling from 12,449 metric tons in 2021 to 9,115 metric tons by end-2023, affecting around 4,000 direct and 5,000 indirect jobs. He attributed the decline to higher electricity and feed costs, EHP disease, and VAT impacts on farmers, and noted that a meeting with SLADA and NAQDA had agreed on measures including a long-term industry plan, legal action against unlawful broodstock and seed practices, Best Management Practices for disease control, and NARA-led research in 2025 on suitable species, areas, and domestic breeding. Procedural Matters and Points of Order Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe said traders had exploited a perceived rice shortage to sell above the maximum retail price, and noted that the Consumer Affairs Authority had conducted raids in several districts and would prosecute violations. He explained that the Government’s paddy purchasing price of Rs. 120 per kilogram was based on Hector Kobbekaduwa Institute costings, fertilizer subsidies, and an added component to cover farmers’ overheads. He argued that, considering milling conversion costs and by-product income, rice could be maintained at an MRP of Rs. 230 per kilogram, with Government intervention and Sathosa tenders aimed at protecting consumers while ensuring fair returns to farmers. Oral Question: Price Control of Rice Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara challenged the Minister’s response on rice prices, citing Central Bank and market figures showing retail prices above the stated maximum retail prices for Samba, Nadu and Kakulu rice. He argued that the Government’s paddy purchasing prices are below farmers’ costs, with farmers demanding at least Rs. 140 per kilogramme, and questioned the refusal to buy wet paddy. He asked whether the Government would revise the rice MRP in line with actual costs or strictly enforce the existing MRP through the Consumer Affairs Authority, including action against retailers. Oral Question: Price Control of Rice Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that maximum retail and wholesale prices for local and imported rice had been imposed by the Consumer Affairs Authority following an artificial price increase, with compliance monitored by the CAA. He said the Government had allowed public and private rice imports and directed Lanka Sathosa to release rice to cooperatives and the open market after discussions with millers chaired by the President. He also said the Paddy Marketing Board, with Sathosa and relevant ministries, had begun purchasing the 2024–2025 Maha season paddy harvest to build a Government buffer stock, with storage facilities being prepared and repaired. Oral Question: Price Control of Rice Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara asked the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development for current market prices of Nadu and Samba rice and whether the Government would take steps, including price controls, to reduce rice prices. He also sought information on Government-maintained rice reserves, their quantities, and the policy or actions being taken regarding rice imports to ensure consumers receive rice without shortages. Oral Question: Price Control of Rice Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Hon. Kins Nelson raised concerns that existing electric fences to prevent human-elephant conflict have not been maintained, with non-functioning batteries, no electricity in guard huts, and overgrown corridors reducing effectiveness. He requested that the Civil Security Department be re-engaged to help maintain fence corridors and that the fences be fully repaired before the upcoming Maha harvest. He warned that otherwise elephant-related damage to crops, stored paddy, homes, and livelihoods would increase despite compensation payments. Oral Question: Human-Elephant Conflict (Q.3/2024) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Kins Nelson raised concerns about severe human-elephant conflict in the Polonnaruwa District, affecting both farmers and schoolchildren, including 88 schools in the Dimbulagala Education Zone and 59 in the Hingurakgoda Education Zone. He cited the death of a schoolchild on 22 January in the Dimbulagala Divisional Secretariat Division and a subsequent attack on a farmer by the same elephant, asking why it had not been captured and relocated. He requested the Minister to state specific measures to address departmental shortcomings such as fuel shortages, broken vehicles, and inadequate maintenance of electric fences and elephant drives. Oral Question: Human-Elephant Conflict (Q.3/2024) Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Hon. Namal Rajapaksa questioned several Government positions, arguing that policy announcements on tourism regulations, paddy pricing, vehicle imports, unemployment, and coconut shortages lacked consistency or timely implementation. He criticized the delayed paddy price decision, saying many farmers had already sold part of the Maha harvest below the announced Rs. 120 price, and asked whether campaign promises on cheaper vehicles would be honoured. He demanded that the Government disclose details of the reported release of 323 containers, clarify statements on Provincial Council Elections, and state its position on USAID-funded programmes in Sri Lanka. Debate: Regulations on Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Foreign Exchange Act Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. T.K. Jayasundara JJB AI summary Hon. T.K. Jayasundara supported the foreign exchange and import-export regulations, arguing that import controls should be based on reserves, food security, national and environmental security, and human capital needs. He said the Government had increased foreign reserves to USD 6.1 billion and justified the phased resumption of vehicle imports for tourism, public transport and goods transport. He criticized previous administrations over alleged corruption, import policies affecting farmers, and misuse of privileges, and requested an investigation into a Ginigathhena incident involving deaths and alleged foreign employment fraud linked to a former Minister. He concluded by calling for unity across communities to rebuild the economy. Debate: Regulations on Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Foreign Exchange Act Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. Sarath Kumara, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary The speech supported parliamentary approval of an Order under the Foreign Exchange Act and Regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, describing them as temporary measures to protect reserves and support economic stabilization. It outlined limits on outward investments, targets to increase foreign reserves, and a phased relaxation of vehicle import restrictions with registration deadlines, penalties, and licence sanctions. It also explained recent rice import relaxations in response to shortages and said the Government is improving data systems and using these measures to normalize the economy, support tourism, revenue, production, and public transport. Procedural: Committee Composition and Debate Commencement Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar raised concern that coconut oil imports initiated under Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s Government had continued under the current Government, stating that over four million kilograms had been imported in the past three months. He said he would submit supporting details and copies of relevant letters to the Prime Minister, while indicating he would not ask a further supplementary question. Oral Question: Coconut Oil Import Policy (Q.291/2024) Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar questioned the Prime Minister on the Government’s policy regarding the import of refined and unrefined coconut oil and the applicable tax regime. He asked whether the provisions of the Gazette dated 01 January 2024 apply to such imports, whether VAT and the Social Security Contribution Levy are payable when unrefined coconut oil is imported, refined, and sold locally, and what procedure the Government uses to collect those taxes. Oral Question: Coconut Oil Import Policy (Q.291/2024) Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister JJB AI summary The Prime Minister attributed the coconut crisis to past fertilizer policy decisions, noting that coconut yields are affected by a 39–44 month biological lag. She said the Government is acting to ensure timely fertilizer availability, plans to support coconut cultivation through the upcoming Budget, and will separately manage short-term consumer supply concerns while longer-term production measures take effect. Oral Question: Coconut Production Decline (Q.290/2024) Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. Dharmapriya Dissanayake JJB AI summary Dharmapriya Dissanayake raised concerns about long-term under-application of fertilizer in coconut cultivation since around 2017, citing high fertilizer prices and the lengthy production cycle of coconuts as factors affecting yields. He asked whether the Government would provide concessions to estate owners and growers to obtain muriate of potash, which he described as essential for coconut production. Oral Question: Coconut Production Decline (Q.290/2024) Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister JJB AI summary A new Chairman has been appointed to the Fragmentation Board, and the Government intends to improve its functioning through stronger coordination. The Prime Minister attributed problems in the coconut sector to fragmented agencies, weak planning, inadequate replanting, and fertilizer gaps, and said institutions are being aligned under common short-, medium-, and long-term plans to address these issues. Oral Question: Coconut Production Decline (Q.290/2024) Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. Dharmapriya Dissanayake JJB AI summary Hon. Dharmapriya Dissanayake questioned the Government on the functioning of the Fragmentation Board, noting that although it was intended to prevent subdivision of plantation and coconut lands, it has lacked a Chairman and may have facilitated fragmentation instead. He asked whether new regulations would be introduced to strengthen prevention, whether the current requirement for Board approval for land parcels over five acres would be retained, and whether local authorities would be properly regulated in granting approvals. Oral Question: Coconut Production Decline (Q.290/2024) Read →