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- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake AI summary Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the Government had taken measures to protect energy security and manage possible external shocks, including supply-chain disruptions, through operational committees overseeing essential goods, festive-season stocks, distribution, agriculture, fisheries, tea transport, and apparel-sector impacts. He highlighted 2025 as a key economic year, citing a projected budget deficit of 2.4 percent, a current account surplus of USD 1.8 billion, higher revenue collection, low inflation, and single-digit interest rates as evidence of stabilisation after earlier policy failures. He also stated that Cabinet had approved the restructuring of USD 175 million in SriLankan Airlines bonds, with signing expected that day, and argued that maintaining these trends for several years would strengthen economic resilience. Adjournment Debate: Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe explained that Paddy Marketing Board stocks from the Yala season, totaling 50,000 MT with an additional 4,000 MT bought by Sathosa, are being milled through registered service providers and mills. He stated that around 5,000 MT per month is being released to Lanka Sathosa, Triposha, the Food Commission, private sector buyers, and co-operatives, with over 8,000 MT released in the previous two months. He said PMB warehouse stocks are issued under agreements requiring mills to process and return rice, and that the process is continuing. Oral Question: Consumer Affairs Authority Rice Raids (Q.640/2025) Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Hon. Kins Nelson questioned the use of the Rs. 6 billion allocated in 2025 to the Paddy Marketing Board for purchasing paddy, asking how much of the Yala stock had been milled and released to the market, including through Lanka Sathosa at concessionary prices. He highlighted remaining stocks in warehouses, including 1.5 million kilograms at the Mahaweli warehouse in Vellikanda, Polonnaruwa, where some paddy had reportedly been damaged by water after elephant intrusion, and requested an investigation into whether it could still be milled. Oral Question: Consumer Affairs Authority Rice Raids (Q.640/2025) Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe said Keeri Samba production remains limited relative to rising demand, particularly from middle-class consumers and the tourism sector, while Nadu accounts for most rice consumption. He stated that cultivation has been expanded, including 78,000 hectares for the 2026 Maha season and planned increases in seed allocation and Yala cultivation, with the aim of bringing supply slightly above demand. He explained that temporary shortages arise because Keeri Samba is best milled after around six months of storage, and said limited imports/substitutions were allowed to bridge gaps. He added that big mills have been registered with the Paddy Marketing Board and that the Consumer Affairs Authority will conduct raids against sales above the guaranteed price of Rs. 260. Oral Question: Consumer Affairs Authority Rice Raids (Q.640/2025) Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary The Hon. Kins Nelson raised a supplementary question on the continuing shortage of Keeri Samba and Samba rice despite guaranteed prices of Rs. 260 and Rs. 240, noting that black-market traders are allegedly buying at much higher prices. He questioned whether major paddy mills are holding stocks, asked where black-market supplies originate, and sought details of concrete measures by the Ministry to release hidden stocks and make rice available to consumers at concessionary prices. Oral Question: Consumer Affairs Authority Rice Raids (Q.640/2025) Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera JJB AI summary The Minister said the Government recognizes farmers’ difficulties and will intervene to support them. He stated that the Ministry of Finance has already begun procurement for driers, though delivery will take time, and that steps are being taken to ensure adequate fertilizer and fuel for production and harvesting. Oral Question: Warehouse Receipts Financing Project Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Rohana Bandara questioned delays in implementing Budget allocations for agricultural driers and noted that existing warehouse development has stalled, arguing that identified farmer problems are not being followed by continuous action. He asked the Ministry for the status of the second-phase fertilizer subsidy, measures to protect farmers from high and uncertain urea prices, and practical support for harvest marketing, inputs, and fuel access for smallholder crop processing. Oral Question: Warehouse Receipts Financing Project Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera JJB AI summary Nishantha Jayaweera stated that the Ministry of Finance is addressing support for farmers and noted that the 2026 Budget allocated funds for threshing and related equipment. He said the Government would continue to support such measures. Oral Question: Warehouse Receipts Financing Project Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Rohana Bandara raised concerns about farmers being forced into distress sales during harvest, noting that a World Bank-supported warehouse and pledge-lending initiative has helped in areas such as Embilipitiya. He said fuel shortages are limiting farmers’ ability to transport produce to warehouses, but argued the scheme could reduce losses by enabling up to 70 per cent pledge lending against produce. He asked whether the Ministry of Finance would continue supporting and expanding the programme and what further steps are planned. Oral Question: Warehouse Receipts Financing Project Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera - Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, the Deputy Minister stated that the Warehouse Receipts Financing Project aims to provide quality storage for farmers and enable bank pledge loans using stored grain as collateral. He said three centres were built in 2015 with World Bank support and three more in 2018 with domestic funds, while the Embilipitiya centre was later transferred to the Spices and Allied Products Marketing Board, leaving five centres currently operating. He reported that 4,187 farmers are registered, with additional unregistered daily users, and that the centres are managed by the Regional Development Bank under District Secretary supervision with district-level advisory committees. Oral Question: Warehouse Receipts Financing Project Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that the Food Security Committee and Cabinet had taken short-term measures to curb food price increases by normalizing transport and supply chains. He said discussions were held with importers, producers, distributors, and the Pettah Traders’ Association to assess stocks and logistics, with fuel shortages and transport continuity identified as key constraints. He noted that the President had directed priority fuel allocation for health and essential goods transport, and cited current market prices for sugar, lentils, onions, and rice as evidence of easing prices. Oral Question: Presidential Vehicle Pool Management (Q.19/2025) Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe said price controls have been applied selectively where necessary to protect farmers and domestic producers, while imports remain restricted and rice imports have been suspended. He stated that Sri Lanka has a three-month surplus of the main rice varieties, contributing to lower market prices for Kekulu and Nadu rice below or near the maximum retail price. He also referred to a Lanka Sathosa campaign and noted that global shipping disruptions had affected supply conditions. Oral Question: Presidential Vehicle Pool Management (Q.19/2025) Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development JJB AI summary The Minister provided a detailed statistical response on household and national consumption, production, imports, duties, prices, and cost factors for essential commodities including sugar, dhal, rice, wheat flour, milk powder, and coconut. He cited 2025 estimates and historical household consumption data from the Department of Census and Statistics and coconut data from the Coconut Development Authority, noting import values by HS code and domestic production figures. He stated that price and cost differences arise from input costs, exchange rates, weather impacts, logistics margins, and tariff or levy policies. Oral Question: Presidential Vehicle Pool Management (Q.19/2025) Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development JJB AI summary The Minister sought clarification on which six rice categories the Member’s question referred to, noting that rice is classified into several types including white and red kakulu, samba, naadu and basmati. He stated that white naadu and red naadu are the most prevalent varieties and indicated that quantity figures are available if required. Oral Question: Presidential Vehicle Pool Management (Q.19/2025) Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake asked the Minister which varieties of rice are most prevalent, seeking clarification on rice production or availability. Oral Question: Presidential Vehicle Pool Management (Q.19/2025) Read →
- 19 March 2026 Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth welcomed education reforms but urged the Minister of Education to establish a separate Pottuvil Zonal Education Office, arguing that current arrangements split nearby Muslim, Tamil and Sinhala schools among three zones and require long travel for services. He said a Pottuvil zone would address a two-decade demand, improve supervision and support integrated education across communities without needing a new building. He also raised local concerns including staffing shortages at Panankadu Hospital, land and hospital development matters, inadequate QR fuel allocations and agricultural inputs for farmers, Forest Department restrictions on fallow lands, unresolved issues affecting Village Officers, and requests for sports and tourism facilities in Navithanveli and Pottuvil. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic and Security Crisis Read →
- 19 March 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath said the economic recovery effort was being strained by the previous year’s cyclone and the Middle East war-driven fuel crisis, and called for effective implementation of fuel distribution, including the QR system, for agriculture and fisheries in Batticaloa. He urged action against hoarding and artificial shortages of fertilizer and fuel, relief for affected businesses facing bank pressure, and long-term planning to reduce petroleum dependence through alternative and natural energy. He also raised concerns about the CID summoning of the Jaffna University Students’ Union President over a Black Day commemoration and requested regularized salary scales, grades, and promotions for long-serving Development Officers. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic and Security Crisis Read →
- 19 March 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan welcomed the rescue of Iranian sailors but focused on shortages of fertilizer, petrol and diesel in Nuwara Eliya, warning that these would disrupt agriculture, transport and the April tourism season. He requested additional fuel supplies for Nuwara Eliya during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year period and relief or grace periods for three-wheeler drivers unable to meet vehicle loan repayments due to fuel shortages. He also urged the Prime Minister to reconsider teacher appointment procedures and allocate a separate quota of 3,000 to 4,000 graduate teachers for plantation schools, citing longstanding educational disadvantages in estate areas. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic and Security Crisis Read →
- 19 March 2026 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka used the debate on regulations under the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act to criticize the Government’s loss of public trust over assurances on fuel, gas, electricity tariffs and essential supplies. He urged practical measures to allocate fuel for farmers, fisheries, tourism transport, logistics, three-wheel operators and heavy machinery, and asked that anomalies affecting vehicle registration and QR fuel access be resolved. He also raised concerns over the effects of international conflict on exports such as tea, fertilizer availability, and reduced advances to smallholders ahead of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. He called for the Government to reduce fuel-related tax burdens by at least 50 percent and provide Treasury relief to prevent further increases in electricity bills. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act Regulations Approval Read →
- 19 March 2026 The Hon. T.B. Sarath JJB AI summary Hon. T.B. Sarath raised a concern that unregistered 48 CC-type motorcycles used widely by farmers are being denied fuel at filling stations. He requested that a mechanism be introduced to allow fuel to be issued to these motorcycles, particularly in agricultural districts. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Economic Challenges and Aviation Sector Read →