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- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that the relevant measure should be phased out in an orderly, systematic manner rather than removed abruptly. He argued that sudden removal could disrupt the supply of rice to the market and harm farmers, and said the approach should protect both farmers and consumers. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahuman questioned the Government’s rice import policy and price controls, noting that imported rice costing about Rs. 150 per kilo in India becomes about Rs. 215 after taxes when landed in Sri Lanka. He asked how traders could sell white Kekulu and Nadu rice at the controlled price of Rs. 220 per kilo after accounting for transport and other costs. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe clarified that 70,000 metric tons of rice are being imported through a tender procedure. He noted that the import window remains open until the 20th, allowing any party to bring rice into the market between the 4th and the 20th. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Hon. Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam raised concerns over unresolved pension adjustments for teachers who retired between 2016 and 2019, citing Public Administration Circulars 3/2016 and 35/2019 and urging payment of arrears affecting about 118,000 pensioners. He called for targeted Budget programmes for persons with disabilities and female-headed households in the North and East, and requested intervention to address delays and alleged bribery in vehicle ownership transfers and number plate issuance at the Motor Traffic Department. He also sought urgent funding for elephant fences in the Vanni District amid rising human–elephant conflict, and timely payment of fertilizer support to protect agricultural yields. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, Namal Karunaratne tabled a response outlining planned paddy purchasing arrangements through district secretaries, the Paddy Marketing Board, subsidized loans to small and medium millers, and cooperatives and farmer organizations. The response stated that approximately 300,000 metric tons would be purchased, with minimum prices for the 2024/25 Maha season to be set by adding a 30% profit margin to production costs determined by the Department of Agriculture. The purchasing period was given as 15 January to 30 April 2025. Oral Questions (Questions 1–10) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe responded to concerns about imported rice, stating that Customs conducts container-by-container checks at three points and compliant consignments can be cleared within about four hours. He said three of 75 containers from one private importer were found to contain weevils and were ordered to be re-exported, emphasizing that only rice fit for human consumption would be allowed into the market. He also referred to a Consumer Affairs Authority case involving 2,000 MT of unfit rice in Anuradhapura that had been repackaged for human consumption and was ordered to be diverted for animal feed. Oral Questions (Questions 1–10) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake raised concerns about the safety and quality of imported rice, noting that some containers had reportedly been sent back after checks by the Health Ministry’s Food Control Administration Unit. He urged the authorities to urgently verify whether the rice is fit for consumption and its age, and said that in an emergency the Government should prioritize importing rice for public consumption over collecting the 15 per cent tax. Oral Questions (Questions 1–10) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake argued that, given the current shortage of rice before the harvest, priority should be given to consumers while also recognizing farmers’ difficulties. He urged the Trade Minister not to rely solely on state entities such as the STC for imports, citing past delays, and said experienced private importers should have been used earlier. He asked the Government to ensure imported rice reaches consumers at controlled prices, while noting that farmers still lack confidence in support schemes and often sell to moneylenders. Oral Questions (Questions 1–10) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe – Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development AI summary The Minister stated that Cabinet approvals on 25 November and 2 December 2024 authorized rice imports by Lanka Sathosa, the Sri Lanka State Trading Corporation and the private sector, with imports beginning after the market was opened on 4 December. He reported that by 17 December about 12,000 metric tonnes had been cleared, and that maximum retail prices had been gazetted at Rs. 210 per kg for kekulu, Rs. 220 for nadu and Rs. 230 for samba. He also cited Consumer Affairs Authority data showing about 300,000 metric tonnes of rice stocks in 416 mills across 20 districts by 5 November, and said imports were intended to address shortages, stabilize prices and support food security through Sathosa, co-operatives, supermarkets and limited private-sector participation. Oral Questions (Questions 1–10) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake asked the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development for details on rice imports approved at the current Government’s first Cabinet meeting. He sought the imported quantity, consumer sale price, data on public and private paddy and rice stocks, and an explanation of the benefit of importing rice despite providing fertilizer subsidies to paddy farmers. Oral Questions (Questions 1–10) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake rejected criticism over fertilizer distribution, stating that the Government could only have distributed fertilizer if it had already been available and loaded when it assumed office. He urged Members to keep Question Time procedural, with Ministers answering questions and only two supplementary questions allowed, and asked that proceedings move on without further political exchanges. Oral Questions (Questions 1–10) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne JJB AI summary The Hon. Namal Karunaratne stated that the Government is prepared to proceed with purchasing paddy, despite what he described as inaction by previous administrations. He indicated that the process must begin from the current starting point and would move forward regardless. Oral Questions (Questions 1–10) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara sought clarification on previously asked questions regarding agricultural preparations, noting that fertilizer distribution had been completed and harvesting was about a month away. He asked what concrete and practical measures were currently being implemented in advance of the harvest. Oral Questions (Questions 1–10) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne JJB AI summary Namal Karunaratne said the Government intends to purchase over 300,000 metric tons of paddy despite limited state drying, milling, and storage capacity. He noted that existing government warehouses can hold about 326,000 metric tons but many of the 353 facilities require repairs, and paddy must be dried to 14 per cent moisture. He said the Government will use private-sector dryers and support while also enabling small, medium, and large millers to purchase paddy, creating three purchasing channels. Oral Questions (Questions 1–10) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Rohana Bandara urged the Government to ensure fairness to both consumers and farmers in paddy purchasing, including action if a 50 kg bag exceeds Rs. 9,000. He asked how much paddy the Paddy Marketing Board plans to buy and whether funds will be available without delay from the Treasury. He also raised the practical issue of high moisture levels after machine harvesting, noting farmers lack facilities to dry paddy to 14 per cent, and requested a mechanism to address drying and prevent distress sales. Oral Questions (Questions 1–10) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne JJB AI summary Namal Karunaratne said early paddy harvesting would begin by the end of next month, with other varieties following through February, and that arrangements were being made for government paddy purchasing. He stated that production costs per kilogram would be calculated to set a guaranteed price giving farmers a fair margin, while also establishing controlled rice prices to protect consumers. Oral Questions (Questions 1–10) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Rohana Bandara complained that his question had not been answered directly. He asked the Government to state whether it would ensure a fair price for paddy in the coming season and what price the Paddy Marketing Board would offer. Oral Questions (Questions 1–10) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne JJB AI summary Namal Karunaratne stated that previous government paddy procurement and rice sales involved significant subsidies and losses, citing purchases at Rs. 120 per 8 kg equivalent with additional costs and sales at Rs. 80 per kg, as well as earlier sales below purchase cost. He said the last Yala season saw no government procurement and existing stocks were sold, leaving the new government, at the start of the Maha season, without state stocks while small and medium millers also lacked reserves. Oral Questions (Questions 1–10) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Rohana Bandara raised concerns over rising rice prices and questioned the effectiveness of government imports in stabilizing the market. He argued that the Rs. 65 tax on imported rice keeps import prices aligned with domestic prices, while paddy prices have risen above Rs. 9,000 per 50 kg bag. He asked whether the Government would maintain prices when the next harvest enters the market to ensure farmers receive a fair price. Oral Questions (Questions 1–10) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister distinguished privatization from involving domestic stakeholders in farm development under Government oversight, stating that no process harmful to national interests would be pursued. He acknowledged delays in fertilizer-related payments, including the Rs. 25,000 per hectare assistance to farmers, and said the causes had been identified and would be rectified. He assured that fertilizer issues would not affect the next season and that the Government would work to improve conditions for farmers. Oral Questions (Questions 1–10) Read →