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- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Kosala Nuwan Jayaweera AI summary Hon. Kosala Nuwan Jayaweera defended the Government’s position on the Peradeniya University Vice-Chancellor incident, stating that the National People’s Power Government would protect student movement rights and freedom of expression. He rejected opposition criticism over rice and coconut prices, arguing that past governments and former Kegalle representatives had left large areas of paddy, estate, coconut, and cinnamon land abandoned. He said the Government’s 2025 plan for Kegalle includes restoring fallow lands, developing estates, improving urban facilities such as the Mawanella bus stand, and addressing living conditions and education needs of estate communities, including Tamil-speaking residents. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Import/Export Control Act, Foreign Exchange Act, and Other Acts (continued) Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Sunil Biyanwila JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Biyanwila argued that the National People’s Power cannot be expected to resolve decades of economic and political problems within 100 days, but has already changed political culture by rejecting corruption and patronage. He said the Government is addressing development needs fairly, prioritising agriculture and tourism, and responding to the coconut shortage by supporting fertilizer availability and cultivators after past neglect reduced yields. He invited the Opposition to join the Government’s “people’s agenda” to rebuild the economy and advance national development. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Import/Export Control Act, Foreign Exchange Act, and Other Acts (continued) Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Kanthasamy Prabu JJB AI summary Kanthasamy Prabu outlined proposals to increase Batticaloa’s contribution to national production through sustainable use of natural resources, tourism, agriculture, fisheries, livestock, MSMEs and revival of abandoned industries. He called for action against illegal sand mining, deforestation and timber smuggling, and proposed solar power and electric fencing to address human-elephant conflict in border villages. He also urged upgrading Batticaloa Airport, introducing lagoon seaplane services, expanding vocational training, establishing an Ayurvedic hospital linked to tourism, opening Sathosa and Osusala outlets, and attracting diaspora investment to create factories, industrial zones and employment in the conflict-affected district. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Import/Export Control Act, Foreign Exchange Act, and Other Acts (continued) Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Roshan Akmeemana JJB AI summary Hon. Roshan Akmeemana rejected Opposition criticism of the Government’s first 100 days, contrasting it with the Central Bank bond scam under the former Yahapalana administration and its alleged financial losses. He clarified that enforcement action on auxiliary fittings in buses and three-wheelers is based on an existing 2024 Motor Traffic circular, not a new Government measure, and said Police have been instructed to allow a grace period before filing cases. He argued that Sri Lanka needs a long-term transformative development strategy, drawing lessons from other countries without copying them, and said the Government would pursue a path between unplanned liberalization and blanket protectionism, including stronger planning for agriculture and domestic industry. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Import/Export Control Act, Foreign Exchange Act, and Other Acts (continued) Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath raised concerns about a proposed prawn farm in the Vakarai Divisional Secretariat Division, noting that it had been discussed at the District Coordinating Committee, with a feasibility study completed and thousands of acres allocated. He requested a re-study that considers the interests of local communities and asked for the involvement of the Minister of Environment in addressing the issue. Debate: Orders and Regulations (continued) Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath raised several development and service delivery issues in Batticaloa District, including the need for more elephant fencing, wildlife stations and officers to address the human-elephant conflict. He requested health infrastructure for Batticaloa Teaching Hospital, including MRI and CT scanners, a cath lab, brachytherapy facilities, an Osusala, and possible future land for hospital expansion through relocation of the prison. He also urged action on the delayed Kithul–Rugam Reservoir Project, early Government paddy purchases at the guaranteed price, cleaning of Batticaloa Lagoon and improved drainage, and establishment of a Faculty of Law at Eastern University. Debate: Orders and Regulations (continued) Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Upul Kithsiri JJB AI summary Regulations, rules and orders approved by the previous Cabinet were presented, with emphasis on improving implementation and ensuring quality control over imports and exports, citing past incidents involving ethanol, unsafe food imports, Thriposha contamination and unsuitable rice that the new Government re-exported. He said the Government would introduce proper systems for the casino sector and defended its economic and agricultural policies by criticizing the Yahapalana period, sovereign bond borrowing, and the 2021 chemical fertilizer ban, while noting the increase of the fertilizer subsidy to Rs. 25,000. He stated that the Government’s priorities include addressing food security, farmer support, schoolchildren’s welfare, land title issues, roads and water supply, and pledged to correct misuse of public funds and deliver services over its term. Debate: Orders and Regulations (continued) Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe challenged Hon. Kabir Hashim’s criticism of International Sovereign Bonds, stating that many of the bonds described as “odious” were issued during Hashim’s period in office and asking whether he was aware of how they were being taken. He also referred to the Government’s programme for the upcoming rice season, including the role of cooperatives and planned changes, and questioned whether the Opposition had acknowledged those measures. Debate: Orders and Regulations (continued) Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Kabir Hashim SJB AI summary Kabir Hashim criticized the Government for not using rice import tax revenue to support fertilizer provision or compensate farmers for crop losses at Rs. 40,000. He questioned the JVP-led Government’s approach to debt restructuring, saying it had previously opposed “odious debt” and promised audits similar to Ecuador’s 2008 debt review but had not acted on this in office. He also argued that domestic debt restructuring unfairly burdened workers through impacts on the EPF and ETF, and said the Government had failed to deliver the “system change” it pledged. Debate: Orders and Regulations (continued) Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Kabir Hashim SJB AI summary Kabir Hashim argued that the Government’s first 100 days had not delivered the “system change” promised to voters, particularly on reducing living costs, addressing food insecurity, reforming debt-related burdens, and tackling corruption. He compared current prices with reductions achieved under the 2015 Yahapalana 100-day programme, citing high rice and coconut prices and recent WFP/FAO findings on rising food insecurity. He alleged that large rice millers and related business and financial networks continue to benefit while farmers and consumers remain disadvantaged, and demanded a clear Government plan to dismantle such monopolies and ensure fair prices. Debate: Orders and Regulations (continued) Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, the answer tabled stated that 17 institutions fall under the Ministry: 9 in agriculture, 2 in livestock, 3 in lands, and 3 in irrigation, with further details placed in the Library. It also reported that Mahaweli Livestock and Agricultural Enterprises (Private) Company is being restructured as a public-private partnership and that Cabinet decisions in 2015 and 2020 approved bringing it and Sri Lanka Poultry Development (Private) Company under the National Livestock Development Board, with implementation steps underway. Procedural Matters and Standing Order 27(2) Question on Prevention of Terrorism Act Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne JJB AI summary Hon. Namal Karunaratne stated that paddy purchases would not be handled solely by the Paddy Marketing Board, but also by Sathosa, the Co-operative Department and other institutions, so financing should not be a constraint. He reiterated support for a fair pricing formula based on production cost plus 30 per cent, citing the earlier Rs. 130 demand when production cost was Rs. 99.75. He said farmer fairness would be balanced with the Trade Ministry’s responsibility to protect consumers. Procedural Matters and Standing Order 27(2) Question on Prevention of Terrorism Act Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara questioned the Government’s plan to purchase over 300,000 metric tons of paddy with an allocation of Rs. 30 billion, arguing that the implied per-kilogram price would be below farmers’ expectations. He noted that the Government had previously demanded Rs. 130 per kilo while in Opposition and asked what price it intends to pay farmers this season, given higher production costs and current farmer demands. Procedural Matters and Standing Order 27(2) Question on Prevention of Terrorism Act Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne JJB AI summary Namal Karunaratne stated that around 800,000 hectares had been cultivated during the Maha season, with only limited flood damage, and that total paddy production for the year was expected to reach about 4.5 million metric tons. He said the Government and Paddy Marketing Board have 352 warehouses, with renovations underway after years of neglect, and are preparing to purchase over 300,000 metric tons of paddy. He added that discussions had been held with small and medium-scale millers and farmer representatives, and that the Government would proceed with purchasing to address the situation. Procedural Matters and Standing Order 27(2) Question on Prevention of Terrorism Act Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Rohana Bandara questioned the Government on measures to prevent a rice shortage after the high-yield Maha harvest, citing inadequate prior intervention and stock-building. He asked whether the Government would use its reported 320,000 metric tons of storage capacity and a proposed Rs. 30 billion allocation to purchase paddy, and sought details on the expected harvest volume and planned procurement quantity. Procedural Matters and Standing Order 27(2) Question on Prevention of Terrorism Act Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne provided paddy production figures for 2015-2024 and a provisional 2025 Maha forecast, noting annual totals ranging from 2.383 million metric tons in 2017 to 5.149 million metric tons in 2021. He detailed Paddy Marketing Board purchases as a share of production, stating that government purchases were very low in recent years, including no Maha 2023 purchases, 2,153 MT in Yala 2023, 2,637 MT in Maha 2024, and 119 MT in Yala 2024. He said Sri Lanka has no fixed year-round paddy price, and that the PMB intervenes through seasonal guaranteed minimum prices, buffer stocks for food security, and rice releases through Sathosa and co-operatives during periods of price increases. Procedural Matters and Standing Order 27(2) Question on Prevention of Terrorism Act Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary The Minister tabled a Finance Ministry document on the fertilizer subsidy programme. He reported that Rs. 16,351 million had been released from October 2024 to 7 January 2025, specifying monthly releases of Rs. 164 million in October, Rs. 5,777 million in November, Rs. 4,015 million in December, and Rs. 6,395 million by 7 January 2025. Procedural Matters and Standing Order 27(2) Question on Prevention of Terrorism Act Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development JJB AI summary The Minister responded to concerns about a “rice mafia” and explained that the Sathosa rice tender, now in its fourth round, is being evaluated under standard government procurement criteria. He said rice import restrictions were relaxed from 21 December and extended until 10 January 2025, with about 40,000 metric tons expected to arrive, so there was no general rice shortage, though red raw rice remained tight. He attributed the red rice tightness partly to pre-election rice distribution and stated that the Paddy Marketing Board, Sathosa, and co-operatives would buy Maha season stocks sufficient for about one and a half months to stabilize supply and protect consumers. Procedural Matters and Standing Order 27(2) Question on Prevention of Terrorism Act Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Namal Rajapaksa sought clarification from the Prime Minister on whether the fertilizer-related support for paddy farmers was Rs. 25,000 or Rs. 15,000, noting that harvesting was imminent and delayed fertilizer use would be ineffective. He questioned how the Government would provide funds given reported statements by the Deputy Minister of Finance about a lack of money, and asked whether payments would continue after harvest. He also warned of a possible rice shortage and alleged an emerging problem in the rice supply chain affecting consumers, asking for the Government’s plan to address it. Oral Question: Clean Sri Lanka Programme and Related Questions to Prime Minister Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary In response to a question on fertilizer subsidy payments in the Ampara District, Harini Amarasuriya stated that 95.4% of farmers had received the first instalment and 99.7% the second instalment of the Rs. 25,000 payment. She said the remaining Rs. 10,000 balance would be paid within two weeks and emphasized that fertilizer subsidies are provided before, not after, harvesting. Oral Question: Clean Sri Lanka Programme and Related Questions to Prime Minister Read →