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

8 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe defended the Government’s economic forecasts and Budget measures, arguing that growth could exceed the projected 3.1 percent as the economy stabilizes after bankruptcy. He said the Government was allocating about Rs. 1,400 billion for capital expenditure, restarting stalled projects, supporting tourism and manufacturing, keeping interest rates low, and granting an additional 3 percent interest on senior citizens’ deposits. Referring to the debate on relaxing quantitative restrictions on vehicle imports, he said imports were expected to reach about US$ 1 billion this year, with letters of credit already opened for more than US$ 400 million, generating revenue while allowing pending imports. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles EmploymentPublic FinanceInfrastructure Read →
8 May 2025 AI summary The Minister said the Resolution under the Customs Ordinance concerns the orderly reopening of vehicle imports after earlier prohibitions, with regulations aligned to reserves and inflation objectives. He rejected allegations that the Government or military were promoting racism in the North and East, stating that genuine land issues would be addressed while action would be taken against misuse of State lands. He also defended the Government’s local election performance and outlined its economic outlook, citing expected GDP growth, nominal GDP expansion to 2030, exchange-rate stability, and a cautious approach to import liberalization. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles Law & OrderForeign AffairsPublic Finance Read →
8 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that maximum retail prices for rice and guaranteed prices for paddy are intended to protect both consumers and farmers. He said market opening with duties would be limited to what is necessary, noting that current stocks are adequate, farmers have received good prices, and the Government will ensure an uninterrupted rice supply. Questions under Standing Order 27(2) - Land Acquisition in North and East; Ministry Statements on Rice and Finance AgricultureCost of Living Read →
8 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that rice import policy is aimed at protecting paddy farmers, noting that around 27% of the population depends on paddy cultivation. He said imports are being allowed where necessary, including permits for 200,000 MT of maize for poultry and other industries, and arrangements for beer producers to import their own annual rice requirement. He attributed current pressure on the rice market, particularly Kakulu rice, to animal feed and industrial demand, and said the Government would import required Kakulu quantities directly for those sectors to protect both consumers and industry. Questions under Standing Order 27(2) - Land Acquisition in North and East; Ministry Statements on Rice and Finance Public FinanceAgriculture Read →
8 May 2025 AI summary The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that the Maha 2024/25 harvest is estimated to be about 200,000 metric tons below expectations and that the matter has been referred to the Food Security Committee to maintain uninterrupted market availability of rice. He said around 65% of stocks comprise Nadu, Samba, Keeri Samba and Red Rice, and noted that while other varieties have adequate verified stocks, the Government may import the required quantity of Keeri Samba if a shortfall arises. Questions under Standing Order 27(2) - Land Acquisition in North and East; Ministry Statements on Rice and Finance Public FinanceAgriculture Read →
8 May 2025 AI summary The Minister tabled a written reply to Hon. Ravi Karunanayake’s Standing Order 27(2) question on rice supply, prices and imports. The reply stated that the Maha 2024/25 paddy harvest is forecast at 2.6 million metric tons, with reduced Nadu cultivation and possible Samba/Keeri Samba shortages, while 103,409.8 metric tons of rice were imported in the first quarter of 2025. It noted that intermediaries and high private purchase prices may affect market prices, and said the Government is using guaranteed paddy prices, monitoring by the Consumer Affairs Authority, and selective short-term private imports under maximum retail prices to stabilize supply and prices. Questions under Standing Order 27(2) - Land Acquisition in North and East; Ministry Statements on Rice and Finance AgricultureCost of Living Read →
10 April 2025 AI summary Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe supported further action on the Batalanda Commission report, stating that the Batalanda Housing Scheme, originally intended for Fertilizer Corporation employees, had been converted into an illegal detention and torture centre during 1988-1989. He accused former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and associated police units of responsibility for abuses there and argued that the law must be applied against those involved. He said the Government would pursue proper inquiries into Batalanda and other alleged detention centres, while placing the issue in the wider context of past political violence in both the South and the North. Debate: Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Batalanda Torture Chambers Corruption & Governance ReformJustice & Human Rights Read →
10 April 2025 AI summary The Minister tabled a written answer stating that no acute rice shortage has been reported and that adequate stocks are available, though large-scale millers account for a major share of market activity. The response outlined Government measures to stabilize supply and prices, including Food Policy and Security Committee monitoring, possible future rice imports if needed, gazetted maximum wholesale and retail prices, Consumer Affairs Authority enforcement, collection of stock and market data, and sales through Lanka Sathosa and the Co-operative Wholesale Establishment. Second Round of Oral Questions and Standing Order 27(2) Questions (Tabled) AgricultureCost of Living Read →
10 April 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that the question raised by Hon. Ravi Karunanayake under Standing Order 27(2) would be answered at the next sitting of Parliament. Procedural: Request for Standing Order 27(2) Question and Tabling Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 April 2025 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that VAT should be collected throughout the supply chain, including from feed vendors and large traders, while small producers below the threshold remain exempt and can claim input VAT where applicable. He said the Government aims to protect small producers and address structural issues in production costs, while using VAT revenue to fund public services and infrastructure. He also explained changes to Withholding Tax, noting that monthly interest income up to Rs. 150,000 is exempt and deductions apply only to higher interest earners, with declarations available for eligible depositors. Debate: Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading (Afternoon Session and Reported Business) Public FinanceAgricultureEducation Read →
9 April 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that the Government would protect the education rights of all children without discrimination and respond to any impediments, while following procedures for private schools and funding public education. He rejected claims that the Prevention of Terrorism Act was being used oppressively in relation to a youth arrested over a sticker, arguing that authorities must act to prevent public safety risks and extremism-related escalation. On the VAT (Amendment) Bill, he said the Government was reducing VAT burdens on items such as dairy products, addressing SVAT misuse, exempting factory worker transport and meals from VAT, and engaging the United States on tariff issues. He also said small egg producers below the VAT threshold should not use VAT as a reason to raise prices, identifying feed costs as the main issue and noting plans to import maize while protecting local farmers. Debate: Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading (Afternoon Session and Reported Business) Public FinanceEducationLaw & Order Read →
21 March 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe responded to Opposition allegations about rice imported by the State Trading Corporation, citing a Sri Lanka Standards Institution certification dated 30 December 2024. He stated that tests for arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury were within permitted limits and urged members not to create public concern without evidence. He tabled the SLSI report, which was placed in the Library. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Public FinanceCost of Living Read →
21 March 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe’s recorded contribution consists only of the formal address to the Presiding Member. No substantive argument, proposal, question, or policy position is included in the provided text. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Parliamentary Procedure Read →
21 March 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe rejected a claim he attributed to social media misinformation and clarified that the purchase price in question was Rs. 1,350. He urged the other Member not to make false statements on that basis. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Public Finance Read →
21 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe clarified the contents of a government relief commodity bag, listing essential food items such as rice, meat, onions, potatoes, lentils, canned fish, sugar, flour, tea, and Suposha. He responded to concerns about suppliers, stating that while representatives of major companies may have been involved, contracts were awarded through tenders and not unfairly to affiliated entities. He added that two state institutions had been selected and that Suposha was procured from the company producing Triposha. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Cost of LivingPublic Finance Read →
21 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe said he would re-table the document or material he had previously presented to Parliament in response to the matter raised by another Member. He indicated that doing so would help clarify or facilitate the issue under discussion. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Parliamentary Procedure Read →
21 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe raised a Point of Order in response to an allegation, stating that documents could be tabled if requested. He rejected what he described as false claims and said he would not table false reports merely to counter them. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Parliamentary Procedure Read →
21 March 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe rejected claims about the Government’s New Year relief goods pack, saying misinformation from social media had been repeated in Parliament. He clarified that the pack includes state-produced Suposha, not Samaposha, procured at about Rs. 135 per 200g packet, and said supplies, brown sugar from Pelawatte, and STC rice were being sourced with quality checks. He stated the objective is to provide a Rs. 5,000 pack for Rs. 2,500 to 807,000 Aswesuma registrants who did not receive benefits in the second round, and urged Members to verify concerns with the relevant authorities before raising them. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Cost of LivingPublic Finance Read →
21 March 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that the NPP had established an Economic and Business Council that includes prominent corporate directors, naming Sarath Ganegoda and Rohan Gunathilaka among others. He questioned what objection or issue was being raised regarding their involvement. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Public Finance Read →
20 March 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe said ongoing investigations into past misuse of public funds would continue, with the aim of uncovering transactions and punishing those responsible. He outlined reforms at the Department of Import and Export Control, including digital licensing, stronger regulatory checks for food and agricultural safety, and support for a broader digital economy. He said the Government is developing a National Tariff Policy to provide stable, transparent taxation, protect domestic industries and agriculture, prevent dumping, manage trade and foreign exchange pressures, and attract foreign direct investment. He also noted work on anti-dumping and countervailing regulations and criticized the Opposition’s limited attendance during the debate. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Foreign AffairsPublic Finance Read →