Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Anuradhapura

Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development

Profession: Politician

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 402 #9 of 225·#4 in party

Attendance 3/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

402 speeches

11 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe rose on a point of Order during the proceedings. No substantive argument, proposal, or question is recorded beyond the interrupted attempt to speak. Points of Order - Broadcasting and Warrant Matter Parliamentary Procedure Read →
11 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe said the 2017 handling of SLIIT under the 2015–2019 UNP Government ignored Presidential Commission observations and that the Cabinet at the time bore collective responsibility. He argued that the Rs. 408 million repayment was made from SLIIT funds that belonged to Mahapola, amounting to a serious offence. He said, following COPE recommendations, legal action is being pursued through the CID and Bribery Commission to restore Mahapola’s trusteeship and ownership while retaining SLIIT as an institution, expanding scholarships, and keeping programmes affordable. Oral Questions - First Round Public FinanceEducationCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
11 July 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that Rs. 373 million from the Mahapola Higher Education Scholarship Trust Fund was used to construct SLIIT buildings, but several requested details were unavailable and are being sought. He said a 2017 Cabinet decision and Gazette recognized SLIIT as an autonomous non-governmental institution not coming under any Ministry, limiting the Ministry’s present ability to act. In response to supplementary questions, he alleged irregularities in the transfer of control of SLIIT from Mahapola, noted that Rs. 408 million was repaid using SLIIT’s own retained earnings, and said COPE had recommended legal action. He indicated that steps are being taken to pursue accountability, restore Mahapola’s trusteeship and ownership of SLIIT, and use its income to support scholarships and affordable education programmes. Oral Questions - First Round Corruption & Governance ReformPublic FinanceEducation Read →
9 July 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that the Government is committed to protecting domestic producers of big onions, potatoes, and red onions in key districts, while balancing farmer and consumer interests. He noted that local production accounts for about 10–15% of national demand and said policy measures would ensure it is not undermined. A detailed response on the matter was promised for Friday. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Paddy Purchase, Rice Import, Horticultural Crops; Question of Privilege AgricultureCost of Living Read →
9 July 2025 AI summary The Minister said the Question had been submitted only the previous evening and requested time until Friday to provide detailed answers. He noted that the Food Security Committee at the Presidential Secretariat had discussed measures to protect domestic production of crops such as red onions, big onions, and potatoes, and had resolved to take steps to safeguard local crops. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Paddy Purchase, Rice Import, Horticultural Crops; Question of Privilege Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 July 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that the question had been received only the previous afternoon and that the relevant data were held by multiple institutions. He said the guaranteed price of Rs. 120 per kilogram was based on the Hector Kobbekaduwa Institute’s estimated production cost of about Rs. 96 per kilogram plus a one-third margin, and undertook to provide a detailed, institution-certified breakdown in writing. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Paddy Purchase, Rice Import, Horticultural Crops; Question of Privilege Public FinanceAgriculture Read →
9 July 2025 AI summary The Minister said the Opposition Leader’s Standing Order 27(2) question reached the Ministry only the previous afternoon and that several assertions required verification. He outlined available figures on rice consumption, Maha and Yala production, stockholding agencies, and recent imports, including 178,000 MT of rice, a proposed 40,000 MT for Keeri Samba, and 278,000 MT of maize for livestock and related industries. He also noted reported demand for rice by breweries and sake production, and stated that comprehensive written answers would be provided after confirming data with the relevant institutions. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Paddy Purchase, Rice Import, Horticultural Crops; Question of Privilege Cost of LivingAgriculture Read →
9 July 2025 AI summary The Minister presented the 2022 Performance Report of the Department of Food Commissioner and the 2024 Annual Performance Report of the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development. He moved that the reports be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Sustainable Resource Management, and the motion was agreed to. Papers: Annual Performance Reports AgricultureParliamentary Procedure Read →
8 July 2025 AI summary The Minister corrected claims about Raigam Group representation, stating its directors are on the board of Puttalam Salt Ltd. and not Mantai Salt Ltd. He said the Government is working to improve agricultural production and import data, uses protective duties on pulses such as mung and cowpea to balance imports with farmer protection, and has extended parate moratorium measures while encouraging loan rescheduling, particularly through state banks. On salt, he explained that import restrictions were lifted due to climate-related production shortfalls, outlined current harvest and import figures, and said late shipments outside the permitted window would be re-exported or taken for state distribution through relevant agencies. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act - Salt Import Regulations (Gazette No. 2437/04) AgriculturePublic Finance Read →
8 July 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that a cooperative entity approved in the North-Central Province cannot use that approval to operate branches nationwide, noting reported links to Aranayake through a director. He said the North-Central Governor and Commissioner have been instructed to expedite the inquiry, with a report to be presented soon, and added that legal action would follow where gaps in cooperative law have been exploited. Oral Question: Registered Co-operative Societies and Banks in North-Central Province (Q. 845/2025) Law & OrderCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
8 July 2025 AI summary The Minister said registration powers under the Co-operative Societies law, vested in Provincial Councils, may have been misused to establish entities operating as financial institutions under the co-operative name. He stated that investigations are examining member enrolment, elections, interim Boards, Board appointments, the source of assets exceeding Rs. 1 billion, and approvals reportedly granted by a former Governor. He also questioned whether branches opened in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa complied with the law and Central Bank regulations, citing possible money laundering concerns. Oral Question: Registered Co-operative Societies and Banks in North-Central Province (Q. 845/2025) Law & OrderPublic FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
8 July 2025 AI summary The Minister provided details on registered co-operative institutions, stating that there are 178 multi-purpose co-operative societies, two co-operative bank societies, and related branches, and outlined the registration process involving legal compliance, capacity assessment, documentation, and recommendations from Co-operative Development Officers. He also gave information on the Saubhagya Co-operative Society Ltd. and the Anuradhapura District Rural Capital Development Co-operative Society Ltd., including their registration dates, numbers, and addresses, and stated that ownership rests with their members. He added that employee recruitment had been carried out by the respective Boards of Directors after interviews, with the Saubhagya society’s matter submitted to the Co-operative Employees Commission for approval. Oral Question: Registered Co-operative Societies and Banks in North-Central Province (Q. 845/2025) Agriculture Read →
8 July 2025 AI summary The Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development tabled Orders under the Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties Act, No. 2 of 2018, as published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2429/32 of 27 March 2025. The House agreed to the motion. Announcements and Papers Public Finance Read →
4 June 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe rejected claims made in relation to “Derana 360°,” stating that Sathosa did not award a tender to E&Y because E&Y had withdrawn from the process. He urged accurate presentation of facts, after which the sitting proceeded with a procedural motion for Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara to take the Chair. Debate: Anti-Corruption Act Regulations Parliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →
4 June 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe denied Mujibur Rahman’s allegation that a Sathosa system audit tender had been awarded to a company linked to Presidential Advisor Duminda Hulugalle. He challenged Rahman to prove the claim, stating he would resign his ministerial post if it were true, and asked whether Rahman would resign his parliamentary seat if it were false. Debate: Anti-Corruption Act Regulations Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
4 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe raised a Point of Order objecting to a previous speaker naming him and alleging he would be imprisoned. He challenged the Opposition to file a complaint against him if they had grounds, and accused them of misusing parliamentary privilege to make false claims. Debate: Anti-Corruption Act Regulations Parliamentary Procedure Read →
4 June 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that allegations regarding port container releases are being investigated by a committee under the Finance Minister. He said any false statements should be referred to the CID and emphasized that the Government is acting within the law to address corruption and prevent public misinformation. Debate: Anti-Corruption Act Regulations Justice & Human RightsCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
4 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe rejected allegations that North Central Provincial Council vehicles were sold for Rs. 28 million, tabling valuation and tender documents to show that disposals followed Government Valuation procedures, were publicly advertised, and in several cases received bids above valuation while bids below valuation were rejected. He also referred to allegations about fast-tracked port container releases, stating that a committee chaired by the Finance Minister had examined Customs actions and that investigations were nearing completion. He said the Government would strengthen laws and pursue inquiries through CIABOC, FCID and CID to address theft, fraud and corruption. Debate: Anti-Corruption Act Regulations Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
4 June 2025 AI summary The Minister supported amendments to the Anti-Corruption Act, stating that they are intended to ensure accurate declarations of assets and liabilities and prevent false or incomplete submissions. He linked the reforms to the Government’s anti-corruption mandate and rejected claims that omissions could be excused as forgetfulness. He also criticized opposition allegations about government misconduct, citing investigations into claims about the President’s assets and presenting North Central Provincial Council auction notices to dispute allegations about vehicle sales. Debate: Anti-Corruption Act Regulations Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
22 May 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that 12,450 metric tons of salt had been imported. Debate: Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969 and Disposal of Property Act Resolutions Agriculture Read →