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

5 March 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that the Government would address accumulated administrative issues, including regularizing appointments for employees without EPF coverage and clearing pension backlogs for around 800 retirees. He also said a policy proposal had been made to manage surcharges when recovering the 60 per cent Government contribution, to prevent gratuity payments being fully absorbed, and linked these measures to strengthening social empowerment and service delivery. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 EmploymentPublic Finance Read →
5 March 2025 AI summary Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe outlined Trade Ministry plans to improve access to affordable fish through processed, frozen packs sold via Sathosa in collaboration with the Fisheries Corporation, with a target of expanding the retail network by 1,000 outlets over three years. He also addressed longstanding administrative and pension issues affecting Samurdhi/Divineguma/Aswesuma staff, including unresolved appointments, delayed pensions, unsettled funds, and the status of 1,100 Samurdhi Banks. He said a Cabinet Paper has been submitted on the disputed recovery of 60 per cent Government EPF/ETF contributions, related surcharges, pending appointments, and retirement benefits, while implementation would proceed subject to the outcome of ongoing court proceedings. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Cost of LivingPublic FinanceEmployment Read →
5 March 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe acknowledged gaps in import regulation, including missing HS codes and inadequate testing protocols, and said legal amendments are being prepared, particularly to strengthen consumer protection through revisions to the Consumer Affairs Authority Act. He stated that Customs testing would be improved, investigations into locally refined imported coconut oil are ongoing, and committees are working on standards, import quality, and market protection measures to be brought before Parliament. Oral Question: Substandard Coconut Oil (Q.3/2025) Justice & Human RightsPublic Finance Read →
5 March 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe said fraudulent practices in coconut oil imports, including companies closing and reopening under new names to avoid accountability, had been identified. He stated that the Ports Authority and Customs are taking measures to prevent such consignments entering the country and that amendments to the Consumer Affairs Authority Act are being prepared to strengthen legal action and impose tougher penalties. Oral Question: Substandard Coconut Oil (Q.3/2025) Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
5 March 2025 AI summary Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that the Consumer Affairs Authority has detected substandard coconut oil unfit for consumption, citing adulteration, poor production and storage practices, unsafe reuse of containers, inadequate labelling, and reprocessing of used oil as common problems. He said the Government has issued Gazette notifications under the Consumer Affairs Authority Act, is working with the Coconut Development Authority and Ministry of Health, and conducts raids and sample testing to address quality and traceability issues. He also outlined challenges faced by small and medium oil mill owners, including raw material shortages, price volatility, rising costs, limited credit access, environmental compliance burdens, low innovation, and competition from imported oil sold as local, adding that policy and regulatory measures are being pursued through relevant ministries. Oral Question: Substandard Coconut Oil (Q.3/2025) Cost of LivingPublic FinanceAgriculture Read →
4 March 2025 AI summary The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that the Government is finalizing the Rs. 1,700 plantation wage agreement through the Wages Board, following earlier non-compliance by some companies. He said the proposed structure is Rs. 1,350 as the daily wage with a Rs. 350 kilo-rate top-up, and that most companies have agreed despite continued resistance from some. He added that companies have been asked to provide 25 days of work so workers can earn a monthly equivalent of Rs. 33,750. Appropriation Bill 2025 — Twelfth Allotted Day — Committee Stage Public FinanceEmployment Read →
4 March 2025 AI summary The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe objected that if another Member makes a claim in Parliament, he should be given an opportunity to respond. His intervention was procedural in nature, seeking the Chair’s permission to reply rather than advancing a substantive policy argument. Appropriation Bill 2025 — Twelfth Allotted Day — Committee Stage Parliamentary Procedure Read →
4 March 2025 AI summary The Minister outlined labour force figures and sectoral employment patterns while focusing on proposed wage increases in the public, private, plantation and pension sectors. He said the Government would amend the Minimum Wages Act to consolidate allowances and raise the private sector basic minimum wage to Rs. 30,000 by January next year, while plantation wage arrangements were being negotiated around a daily minimum and kilo-rate options. He detailed increases to public sector salaries, including for clerical/support grades, drivers, development officers, police, nurses and doctors, and stated that overtime and daily-rate calculations would increase rather than reduce payments. He said the Budget allocates about Rs. 325 billion over three years for public sector salary increases and about Rs. 40 billion for pension enhancements, and rejected claims that health-sector allowances or rates had been cut. Appropriation Bill 2025 — Twelfth Allotted Day — Committee Stage Cost of LivingPublic FinanceEmployment Read →
3 March 2025 AI summary Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe said the Government is reforming the energy sector to reduce corruption, waste and entrenched supplier arrangements in the CEB and CPC, while ensuring uninterrupted fuel and electricity supply. He stated that renewable energy expansion is being prioritized, including rooftop solar improvements, land identification for large-scale solar, lower tariffs achieved for wind and solar projects, and forthcoming tenders for storage. He said fuel dealer margin and tax discount issues would be corrected through existing law and discussions, and rejected claims of a nationwide fuel shortage. He also announced that a new Electricity Act would be brought in 2025 to prevent privatization, reverse fragmentation of the CEB, consolidate its functions, and support lower-cost power generation. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) EnvironmentCorruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
28 February 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that requirements under the Companies Act and existing Company Secretariat procedures would be reviewed. He also indicated that the suggestion to lower paid-up capital thresholds would be examined. Oral Question 2 - Companies Registered with Registrar of Companies (Q.426/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
28 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that business registration processes have become faster and more accessible, particularly for younger entrepreneurs moving from sole proprietorships to partnerships. He said fee reforms are being considered, including a shift to a paid-up capital basis and rationalized charges, and added that further facilitation of easier registration would take into account the proposal raised. Oral Question 2 - Companies Registered with Registrar of Companies (Q.426/2025) Public Finance Read →
28 February 2025 AI summary The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that discussions are ongoing and necessary steps are being taken to expedite the relevant matter. Oral Question 2 - Companies Registered with Registrar of Companies (Q.426/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
28 February 2025 AI summary Recruitment is to proceed according to due procedure, allowing both qualified internal and external candidates to apply. Regarding IT system concerns, past issues between the institution and the vendor were noted, but KPMG, which has managed the system for over 15 years, has agreed to provide necessary support to prevent disruptions. The matter is being advanced expeditiously. Oral Question 2 - Companies Registered with Registrar of Companies (Q.426/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
28 February 2025 AI summary Of the 202,426 registered companies, only about 65,000 are active, and approximately 25,000 to 27,000 pay taxes. Wasantha Samarasinghe said ICT upgrades are being expedited and that Cabinet approval has been obtained to fill the Registrar General post, which is currently held in an acting capacity, with recruitment being fast-tracked among qualified candidates. Oral Question 2 - Companies Registered with Registrar of Companies (Q.426/2025) Parliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →
28 February 2025 AI summary The Minister answered a question on the Registrar of Companies, naming Mrs. K.A.P. de Silva as the current Acting Registrar General and providing a timeline of recent officeholders and vacancies. He stated that 223,383 companies had been incorporated from 5 May 2007 to 31 January 2025, with 202,426 active companies, and that registration normally takes two to four working days. He also reported total incorporation revenue of Rs. 9,906.748 million from 2003 to 2024 and said company-related processes under the Companies Act No. 7 of 2007 are online and computerized, though the Department is not fully automated. Oral Question 2 - Companies Registered with Registrar of Companies (Q.426/2025) Public Finance Read →
27 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe listed several former Presidential Advisors and associates who, he said, had received vehicles from the Presidential Secretariat, arguing that 64 such vehicles had been issued in a manner that burdened the public. He contrasted this with the current administration’s reduced vehicle use and expenditure, stating that wasteful costs on vehicles, premises, and related facilities had been curtailed to protect public trust. He defended the Budget as delivering the largest salary increase in Sri Lanka’s history for public servants, with intervention for private sector workers, and said the Government was working to rebuild the country after bankruptcy caused by corruption and waste. Debate: Committee Stage of the 2025 Appropriation Bill - Special Expenditure Heads (Heads 1-25) and Amendments Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
27 February 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe criticised the misuse of parliamentary vehicle permits, stating that personal relationships do not excuse wrongdoing. He referred to former Members who allegedly served briefly, obtained vehicle permits and left Parliament, arguing that the present controversy is a consequence of such practices. Debate: Committee Stage of the 2025 Appropriation Bill - Special Expenditure Heads (Heads 1-25) and Amendments Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
27 February 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe referred to a list of vehicles used by private staff, along with related allowances and fuel expenses. He noted that the list included appointments such as Prof. Sunanda Madduma Bandara as Trade Union Advisor/Senior Advisor to the President and Saman Rathnapriya as Director, Trade Unions, with details of the vehicles assigned to them. Debate: Committee Stage of the 2025 Appropriation Bill - Special Expenditure Heads (Heads 1-25) and Amendments Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
27 February 2025 AI summary Clarified that monthly income up to Rs. 150,000 remains exempt from tax under the Withholding Tax arrangements. He stated that where the Withholding Tax rate was increased from 5 per cent to 10 per cent, refunds would be made where applicable, while noting that some persons fall outside the WHT system despite broader tax rate increases. Debate: Committee Stage of the 2025 Appropriation Bill - Special Expenditure Heads (Heads 1-25) and Amendments Public Finance Read →
25 February 2025 AI summary The Minister said Sri Lanka has 26 domestic canned fish manufacturers with capacity far above local demand, producing over 500,000 tins daily against demand of about 180,000. He noted industry concerns over raw fish imports, tin supplies and VAT, but said VAT had not placed local producers at an undue disadvantage. He stated that Maximum Retail Prices of Rs. 380, Rs. 420 and Rs. 517 were introduced at manufacturers’ request, keeping domestic canned fish competitive against imported tins landing above Rs. 520. Oral Question: SriLankan Airlines (Q.3/2024) AgricultureCost of Living Read →