## Summary
Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna submitted Written Question No. 913/2025 to the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation seeking comprehensive information about Agricultural Research and Production Assistants (ARPAs) deployed at the Grama Niladhari Division level across Sri Lanka. The question requests details on their deployment numbers by district, departmental affiliation, supervisory structure, official duties, and assigned research activities. Additionally, the member seeks information on whether performance reviews are conducted for ARPAs, the agricultural progress achieved through their work in recent years, and whether steps will be taken to deploy them in regular field inspections to address sector-level issues.
Question No. 913/2025 to the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation:
(a) Will he inform this House—
(i) whether Agricultural Research and Production Assistants (ARPAs) have been appointed at Grama Niladhari Division level in Sri Lanka;
(ii) if so, the number of ARPAs currently serving in each District, separately;
(iii) the Department to which they belong;
(iv) the designation of their immediate superior officer;
(v) their main official responsibilities;
(vi) whether they have been given a duty list; and
(vii) the research activities assigned to them at present?
(b) Will he also inform this House—
(i) whether performance reviews are conducted in respect of ARPAs;
(ii) the progress achieved in the agriculture sector through their services in recent years; and
(iii) whether measures will be taken to engage them in regular field inspections to provide solutions to issues in the sector?
(c) If not, why?