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

21 May 2025 AI summary Annual salt consumption is about 180,000 metric tonnes, while national production capacity is around 200,000 metric tonnes in a good year across public entities, cooperatives and private firms. Due to weather-related reductions in actual output, imports were required on this occasion. Debate: Finance Act Order - Continued Discussion (Multiple Speakers) Agriculture Read →
21 May 2025 AI summary The Minister said salt imports became necessary after weather-related damage reduced domestic production, noting that even opposition members had acknowledged rain-related losses. He stated that Hambantota salterns have a combined capacity of about 100,000 metric tons, but production fell from around 80,000 metric tons last year to about 60,000 metric tons this year. He added that any allegations of fraud or corruption are under investigation and that action would be taken if wrongdoing is found. Debate: Finance Act Order - Continued Discussion (Multiple Speakers) AgricultureCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
21 May 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that the Government will respond to questions raised under Standing Order 27(2) and rejected attempts to discourage the movement of salt from the North to the South. He emphasized that goods should move freely across Sri Lanka in both directions and said divisive agitation on regional trade would not be permitted. Debate: Finance Act Order - Continued Discussion (Multiple Speakers) Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionPublic Finance Read →
21 May 2025 AI summary The Minister rejected Opposition claims about local government results and the handling of the salt shortage, stating that allegations that 51,000 metric tons of imported salt were given to one private company were false. He said imports were arranged after requests from producers and after heavy rains damaged Hambantota and Puttalam production, with tenders through the State Trading Corporation, Cabinet approval for additional imports, and temporary permission for private importers. He outlined national salt demand, washing and supply constraints, allocations to Lanka Salt, Sathosa and dried-fish producers, and said the Government would prevent excessive retail pricing while reviewing relevant ownership arrangements when existing agreements end. Debate: Finance Act Order - Continued Discussion (Multiple Speakers) AgriculturePublic Finance Read →
21 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that the closure of the CWE had been done without properly identifying its assets and liabilities, resulting in expired leases and outdated rents at properties including Welisara and near the head office. He said inspections found expired or absent agreements for warehouses and small shops, issues with access to an adjacent court, and properties islandwide leased under questionable arrangements, including to political associates. He outlined steps to obtain valuations, execute new two-year lease agreements at fair market rates, regularize documentation through a legal panel, and re-establish the CWE as the “National Co-operative Wholesale Establishment” to intervene in wholesale trade. Oral Question: Warehouses of Co-operative Wholesale Establishment in Welisara - Lease (Q.8/2025) Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
20 May 2025 AI summary The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe attempted to raise a point of order during the sitting but did not specify a valid procedural ground. The Chair ruled that no point of order had been raised and declined to grant him the floor. Standing Order 27(2) Matter: Public Security and Gang Violence; Special Statement on Tamil Genocide Memorial Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 May 2025 AI summary Rs. 2,300 million has been released nationwide, not only for the Anuradhapura District. Private Members' Motion (P.12/2024): Enhancing State Sector Involvement in Food Import and Distribution Public Finance Read →
9 May 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that if the matter in question is disputed or alleged to be unlawful, it should be taken before the courts. His remark framed the issue as one for judicial determination rather than parliamentary assertion. Private Members' Motion (P.12/2024): Enhancing State Sector Involvement in Food Import and Distribution Justice & Human Rights Read →
9 May 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe urged members not to make unfounded allegations and said any claims should be formally reported through complaints. He cautioned against using false claims for political purposes. Private Members' Motion (P.12/2024): Enhancing State Sector Involvement in Food Import and Distribution Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe rose on a point of order. No substantive argument, proposal, or question was recorded in the provided excerpt. Private Members' Motion (P.12/2024): Enhancing State Sector Involvement in Food Import and Distribution Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 May 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe clarified that no individuals had been named in the matter under discussion. The intervention appears to respond to a procedural or personal clarification within the debate. Private Members' Motion (P.12/2024): Enhancing State Sector Involvement in Food Import and Distribution Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 May 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe states that he was referring to reports that the Member’s name and Hon. Sarath’s name had been used, prompting the Member’s agitation. He suggests that the Member should investigate who used the names and in what manner. Private Members' Motion (P.12/2024): Enhancing State Sector Involvement in Food Import and Distribution Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 May 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that a person’s name may have been misused in relation to a failed project and said that matter could be investigated. He emphasized that his main point was the project’s failure and the losses incurred. Private Members' Motion (P.12/2024): Enhancing State Sector Involvement in Food Import and Distribution Public Finance Read →
9 May 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that he would bring and show the relevant item or evidence to the House. The intervention was brief and appears to refer to a matter raised immediately beforehand in the debate. Private Members' Motion (P.12/2024): Enhancing State Sector Involvement in Food Import and Distribution Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe alleged that loans to the “Shakthi” rice millers’ co-operative in Polonnaruwa resulted in an Rs. 800 million loss. He cited an internal audit report, stating that it recorded rice being given to Hon. T. B. Sarath and to the person he was addressing, implying the matter required scrutiny. Private Members' Motion (P.12/2024): Enhancing State Sector Involvement in Food Import and Distribution Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
9 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe clarified that he had not stated that there were any dues owed. The intervention appears to respond to or correct a prior exchange in the debate. Private Members' Motion (P.12/2024): Enhancing State Sector Involvement in Food Import and Distribution Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 May 2025 AI summary Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe said the Government is already implementing policies related to diplomatic appointments, housing, MPs’ pensions, and food security, and has established a multi-ministry Food Security Committee to address shortages. He criticised past decisions to wind down Sathosa and the Co-operative Wholesale Establishment, citing major debts, losses, asset sales and disrupted distribution, and rejected the “Shakthi Sahal” model on the basis of audit findings showing losses and unpaid dues. He outlined plans to rebuild wholesale and co-operative distribution, form producer co-operatives, restart CWE facilities, purchase paddy at guaranteed prices, sell rice at controlled prices, provide fertilizer subsidies, address new demand from liquor and poultry-feed industries, and use storage capacity such as the Dambulla cool rooms to stabilise supply and consumer prices. Private Members' Motion (P.12/2024): Enhancing State Sector Involvement in Food Import and Distribution AgricultureCorruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
9 May 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that, under the previous legal framework, Ministers and State Ministers were entitled to receive two salaries. He noted that this practice has now changed and only one salary is being drawn. Private Members' Motion (P.2/2024): Curtailing Privileges of MPs and Former Heads of State Public Finance Read →
9 May 2025 AI summary The Minister presented the 2023 Annual Report of the Polgolla National Co-operative Development Institute. He moved that it be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability, and the motion was agreed to. Opening and Announcements Parliamentary ProcedureAgriculture Read →
8 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe moved that Hon. Aravinda Senarath take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which the Deputy Speaker left the Chair and Hon. Aravinda Senarath presided. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles Parliamentary Procedure Read →