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- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa disputed the Government’s claim that 100,000 MT of fertilizer is sufficient, stating that farmers face shortages of urea, MOP, and TSP and urging verification in farming areas. While welcoming initial relief measures, he called for them to be substantially expanded using a larger portion of the reported Rs. 1.4 trillion in savings so that the public receives tangible relief. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill and Related Orders - Continuation (Post-Lunch) Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake - President, Minister of Defence; Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development; and Minister of Digital Economy AI summary The President outlined a three-month relief package in response to war-related global cost pressures affecting fuel, fertilizer, electricity and low-income households. Measures include Treasury subsidies of Rs. 100 per litre for diesel and Rs. 20 for regular petrol, additional fuel support for fishers, fixed-price urea and increased fertilizer assistance for paddy, other field crops and tea smallholders, plus a one-off April increase in Aswesuma payments. He said electricity cost increases were driven by low hydro levels, fuel costs and coal quality issues, and announced a temporary subsidy for consumers using under 90 units while stating that costs arising from substandard coal would be recovered from suppliers rather than passed to consumers. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading and Related Orders (Chair Change - Introduction) Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB AI summary Asked whether an investigation is being conducted into why a large stock of fertilizer remained in storage for nearly three years despite strong demand from farmers. The question was raised as a second supplementary, seeking accountability for the delay in making fertilizer available. Oral Question: Aswesuma Programme - Appeals and Objections Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Aravinda Senarath JJB AI summary The Member states that, according to the Fertilizer Secretariat, Urea fertilizer has not deteriorated and is certified as usable for the current season, so there is no obstacle to its release. He adds that tests are still being conducted on MOP fertilizer to determine its suitability before it is released to the market. Oral Question: Aswesuma Programme - Appeals and Objections Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB AI summary Asked whether the more than 41,000 kilograms of fertilizer held in storage for nearly three years have been tested for quality and standards before distribution. He also sought clarification on the method of distributing the fertilizer, citing national concerns about fertilizer quality. Oral Question: Aswesuma Programme - Appeals and Objections Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Aravinda Senarath JJB AI summary Answering on behalf of the Agriculture Minister, Aravinda Senarath confirmed that the Tambuttegama Agrarian Service Centre holds 41,828.95 kg of MOP fertilizer and 0.307 metric tons of urea, with the MOP stored since June 2023 and the urea since the 2022/2023 Maha season. He said the stock came under an Asian Development Bank-supported concessional fertilizer programme and remained largely unsold because it arrived after Yala 2023 cultivation needs were met and the centre could not frequently adjust prices to compete with private suppliers. He outlined past sales at revised prices and said farmers were informed through field officers, committees, farmer organizations and seasonal meetings, with credit purchases enabled through the Agrarian Bank, but no definite date could be given for clearing the remaining stock. Oral Question: Aswesuma Programme - Appeals and Objections Read →
- 7 April 2026 Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake said the Ministry would inform the Member of the date for presenting the relevant Bill and rejected an allegation of regional favoritism by the Fisheries Minister. He stated that enforcement against Indian poaching vessels and banned fishing methods was being carried out uniformly under fisheries laws and regulations, including in Mullaitivu, where officials accused of facilitating illegal methods had been transferred. Oral Question: Fishermen in Puttalam District - Fuel Subsidy (Q.749/2025) Read →
- 7 April 2026 Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy raised concerns about unresolved issues affecting small boat owners and workers, contrasting them with better-regulated large fishing vessels. He alleged unequal treatment of fishermen, claiming banned fishing methods are tolerated in the Minister’s area while fishermen in Kalpitiya are targeted more harshly. He urged the Government to bring forward the long-pending Fisheries Bill, under preparation since 2018–2019 and covering matters such as madal, trawling and NARA findings, and asked when it would be introduced to protect fishermen’s livelihoods. Oral Question: Fishermen in Puttalam District - Fuel Subsidy (Q.749/2025) Read →
- 7 April 2026 Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake said the President would provide details on measures responding to the sudden fuel price increase, including additional fuel subsidies for fishermen and a special April allowance for fishermen who are Samurdhi beneficiaries. He noted that subsidies would distinguish between large and small boats and be linked to travel distance using navigation tracking, bills, and a proposed QR code system for 32,000–38,000 registered small boats. He said these safeguards are intended to ensure accountability in the use of public funds and encourage savings and integration with the formal financial system. Oral Question: Fishermen in Puttalam District - Fuel Subsidy (Q.749/2025) Read →
- 7 April 2026 Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy said fishermen previously relied on direct fuel delivery, sometimes on credit, making bill submission difficult, and noted that a past six-month subsidy had not been extended. He highlighted rising fuel and fishing gear costs and broader livelihood pressures, including the need for pensions and support. He asked whether the Government plans a new relief scheme for fishermen and how it would be implemented. Oral Question: Fishermen in Puttalam District - Fuel Subsidy (Q.749/2025) Read →
- 7 April 2026 Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake, answering on behalf of the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, provided details on the fuel subsidy for the Puttalam Fisheries District, stating that there are 13,130 active marine fishermen, 14,903 boats recommended for the subsidy, and Rs. 148,714,450 allocated or paid. He explained that subsidies are paid to boat owners rather than individual fishermen, through a computerized registration and verification process using district fisheries data, fuel bills, certified vessel lists, and direct bank transfers. He also noted that delays could occur due to incorrect or inactive bank accounts, and said supplementary questions would be referred to the relevant Ministry for answers. Oral Question: Fishermen in Puttalam District - Fuel Subsidy (Q.749/2025) Read →
- 7 April 2026 Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy asked the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources for details on the fuel subsidy for fishermen in the Puttalam District. He sought figures on the number of fishermen engaged in the industry, how many currently receive the subsidy, the funds allocated for it, and the measures taken to ensure timely distribution. Oral Question: Fishermen in Puttalam District - Fuel Subsidy (Q.749/2025) Read →
- 7 April 2026 Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary The Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure presented the 2024 Annual Report of the Sri Lanka Tea Board. He moved that the report be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability, and the motion was agreed to. Papers: Auditor-General's Report and Ministry Annual Reports Tabling Read →
- 20 March 2026 [Unnamed Speaker] AI summary Key economic sectors including agriculture, fisheries, and industry were described as requiring support, with the Economic Surveillance Committee and four subcommittees tasked with maintaining public services, energy supply, essential services, and welfare assistance. The remarks noted that the Central Bank is meeting regularly to assess domestic and global economic developments. The speech emphasized the Government’s responsibility to protect essential services and support vulnerable groups, while urging the Opposition to act responsibly during the economic crisis. Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan raised concerns about the economic impact of fuel and gas shortages, especially in the Vanni, where long queues, hoarding and overpricing were affecting communities. He said farmers and fishermen were particularly affected by limited fuel allocations and proposed priority fuel access for their organizations upon formal requests. He also urged that fuel-saving measures such as a Wednesday public holiday should consider daily wage earners, and suggested an arrangement with India to secure continuous supplies of fuel and essential goods. Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary Minister Sunil Handunnetti said the Government had prioritized fuel allocation to 21 industrial and service sectors, especially exporters and value-chain institutions, rather than individual vehicles, to keep the economy functioning during the fuel crisis. He provided figures on institutional requests, CPC load approvals and sectoral allocations, and said mechanisms through companies, associations, Divisional Secretaries and relevant ministries were being used to address micro-entities and special cases. He stated that the Government aimed to keep the economy open, protect export and tourism markets while maintaining neutrality in the wider conflict, and would table detailed fuel allocation documents in Hansard to show actions taken. He also thanked public officers and ministries involved in coordinating essential services and industrial fuel distribution. Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. W.H.M. Dharmasena SJB AI summary Hon. W.H.M. Dharmasena raised concerns about fuel shortages affecting farmers, fishers, transport workers and industries during the harvest and Yala cultivation period. He requested a special expedited mechanism, possibly through QR systems or recommendations by Divisional Secretaries and Agrarian Officers, to supply diesel to farmers and sectors such as sugar cane transport for Pelwatte and Sevanagala mills. He also alleged that losses from substandard coal imports had increased reliance on oil-fired power generation and worsened diesel shortages, urging corrective action and priority support for poor communities, especially farmers in Moneragala. Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi argued that the fuel crisis is severely affecting fisheries, agriculture, tourism, transport and small livelihoods, and linked the shortage to increased fuel diversion for thermal power generation after reduced coal-based generation. He questioned the practical implementation of announced fuel allocations for fishing boats and farmers, citing inadequate harbour fuel points, lack of mechanisms for outboard craft, and unrealistic quotas for harvesters and tractors, and called for effective local harbour committees. He requested priority fuel access for small tourist vehicles and criticized the Government’s fuel pricing, taxation and reserve claims. He also urged the authorities to ensure functioning mortuary cold-room facilities along the southern coast in case conflict-related foreign fatalities require storage. Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara argued that Sri Lanka’s current energy and gas shortages were caused not only by the war but also by earlier government mismanagement, citing gas price increases, queues, coal procurement allegations, and the need to burn large volumes of diesel for power generation. He questioned why the Power Minister remains in office despite corruption allegations and criticized assigning him responsibility for the oil crisis. He also objected to Parliament being adjourned during the crisis, saying it limited scrutiny, and asked what measures the Government would take on rising fertilizer prices affecting farmers and on fuel supply after earlier assurances that there was no crisis. Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne said the Government is managing current global fuel and supply pressures from a stronger economic position than the previous administration, with reserves of USD 7 billion. He assured farmers that there is no fertilizer shortage for the Yala season, said Government will purchase available fertilizer stocks directly and distribute them through farmer organizations, and warned against black-market purchases. He also outlined a simplified fuel distribution process for farmers and cited compensation payments and import controls as part of measures to strengthen agriculture and food security, adding that rice stocks and planned cultivation would prevent a shortage. Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Read →