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

20 March 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe briefly affirmed that the requested action would be carried out. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 March 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe briefly responded to Hon. Harsha de Silva by assuring that no harm would come to innocent persons. No further policy position, proposal, or legislative detail was provided in the statement. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Justice & Human Rights Read →
20 March 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe briefly acknowledges agreement from others in the chamber and offers thanks. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or question is raised in the remark. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe yielded a moment from his allocated speaking time to another member during the debate. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 March 2025 AI summary The Minister said the debate covered 23 institutions under the Ministry of Finance and urged fuller Opposition participation, while noting matters linked to the Department of Import and Export Control and the Department of Trade and Investment Policies. He stated that unresolved issues in the Finance portfolio, including aspects of the 2015 Central Bank bond scam, require further investigation by the current Government. He said inquiries were examining alleged payments through a jointly operated Seylan Bank account, 156 cheques, and possible indirect payments to politicians via wine stores, with names and evidence to be disclosed as investigations proceed. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
19 March 2025 AI summary The Minister moved that the Committee report progress and seek leave to sit again. The motion was agreed to, and the Committee reported progress with proceedings scheduled to resume on Thursday, 20 March 2025. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
19 March 2025 AI summary Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe moved an amendment under Head 301, Programme 01 during the Committee Stage of the Appropriation Bill, 2025. The intervention was procedural and related to the consideration of budgetary allocations under that Head. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
19 March 2025 AI summary The Minister responded to a question on VAT and other taxes affecting domestic products, stating that the Government is considering these issues. He said the Co-operative Wholesale Establishment would be strengthened through supplier and government-to-government commercial agreements, including with India, Vietnam, and Thailand, to ensure continuous supply and forward procurement. He added that the Ministry aims to re-enter wholesale trade and oversee wholesale markets such as Peliyagoda and Polonnaruwa to provide goods at affordable prices. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) AgriculturePublic FinanceCost of Living Read →
19 March 2025 AI summary The Minister invited a Member to proceed quickly with a question, indicating that he was able to hear them. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or legislative matter was addressed in this brief intervention. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
19 March 2025 AI summary The Minister noted that the allotted time for the proceedings had expired and indicated that it would need to be extended again. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
19 March 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that the institution responsible for supplying goods to Sathosa had previously been closed and is now being restarted. He announced plans to establish three wholesale trading centres in Colombo, Matara and Kurunegala within the year. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Cost of LivingInfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
19 March 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that prices of 40 essential items sold through Sathosa have been reduced by 20 per cent compared with the previous six months, and that a related document was tabled. He said the Government intends to continue reducing prices to provide relief, while noting that procurement has been constrained because the Co-operative Wholesale Establishment had been inactive and its lorry fleet had previously been sold as scrap. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Cost of LivingPublic Finance Read →
19 March 2025 AI summary The Minister outlined measures to strengthen the co-operative sector, including reinforcing the Co-operative Insurance Company and clarifying that director appointments remain the responsibility of individual co-operatives based on shareholding. He said the Ministry, through the Registrar of Companies, aims to expand capital market participation by encouraging more sizeable companies to list on the stock exchange. He also announced legal reforms to enable Geographical Indications and plans to accede to the Madrid Protocol within the year to secure international protection for Sri Lankan products, arts, music, and inventions, while continuing efforts to strengthen Sathosa and the CWE. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) AgriculturePublic Finance Read →
19 March 2025 AI summary Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe defended reforms at Sathosa and other state institutions, saying the Government was bringing private-sector expertise into public bodies to strengthen them rather than sell them. He said Sathosa faced long-standing irregularities, including Rs. 350 million worth of goods unaccounted for since 2014, ongoing CID complaints, weak computer systems, and quality-control issues in rice procurement, and outlined steps such as filling 21 vacancies, appointing an acting CEO, and procuring an integrated stock and sales system. Responding to allegations on tax evasion and procurement, he said the Government would not protect offenders and was acting through the Consumer Affairs Authority, Inland Revenue Department and other agencies, citing VAT details of several companies named in the debate. He also said vehicles held by the Presidential Secretariat were being redistributed to institutions as required and rejected claims that appointments were based on union affiliation rather than merit. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Corruption & Governance ReformAgriculturePublic Finance Read →
19 March 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe disputed figures cited by Hon. Dayasiri regarding milling capacities of 0.5 million to 0.7 million metric tons, stating that such capacities do not exist in Sri Lanka. He argued that the claim was implausible in the context of the country’s total annual harvest of about 4.5 million metric tons and urged members not to present inaccurate figures. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Agriculture Read →
19 March 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that the matter raised would be brought to the attention of the relevant Minister, noting that it did not fall under his purview. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
19 March 2025 AI summary Clarified that responsibility for the Valachchenai Paper Mill does not fall under his purview, but under the Ministry of Industries and Enterprise Development. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
19 March 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that such complaints cannot be presented to Parliament. The remark was procedural in nature, indicating a limitation on raising those matters in the chamber. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
19 March 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe advised the Member to lodge a complaint with the Election Commission regarding the matter raised. The intervention was procedural and directed the issue to the relevant electoral authority. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
19 March 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that Aswesuma beneficiaries have already received increased allowances, while over 800,000 people who have applied for but are not receiving Aswesuma have received no support. He said the Government decided to provide relief specifically to that group. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Cost of Living Read →