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 2026 AI summary The Government stated that it has taken measures to address price and supply concerns by stocking essential goods through CWE, STC, and Lanka Sathosa for at least one month. It said goods are being procured in quantities above the requirement and sold through Sathosa below prevailing market prices to stabilize prices and ensure consumer access. Oral Question: Presidential Vehicle Pool Management (Q.19/2025) Public FinanceCost of Living Read →
20 March 2026 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that he was responding to the Hon. Member’s supplementary question. He noted that the Member had raised several issues, which formed the matter under consideration. Oral Question: Presidential Vehicle Pool Management (Q.19/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe indicated that he would respond to the question before the House. No substantive details or policy position were provided in the excerpt. Oral Question: Presidential Vehicle Pool Management (Q.19/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 March 2026 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe said price controls have been applied selectively where necessary to protect farmers and domestic producers, while imports remain restricted and rice imports have been suspended. He stated that Sri Lanka has a three-month surplus of the main rice varieties, contributing to lower market prices for Kekulu and Nadu rice below or near the maximum retail price. He also referred to a Lanka Sathosa campaign and noted that global shipping disruptions had affected supply conditions. Oral Question: Presidential Vehicle Pool Management (Q.19/2025) Cost of LivingAgriculture Read →
20 March 2026 AI summary The Minister provided a detailed statistical response on household and national consumption, production, imports, duties, prices, and cost factors for essential commodities including sugar, dhal, rice, wheat flour, milk powder, and coconut. He cited 2025 estimates and historical household consumption data from the Department of Census and Statistics and coconut data from the Coconut Development Authority, noting import values by HS code and domestic production figures. He stated that price and cost differences arise from input costs, exchange rates, weather impacts, logistics margins, and tariff or levy policies. Oral Question: Presidential Vehicle Pool Management (Q.19/2025) Cost of LivingPublic FinanceAgriculture Read →
20 March 2026 AI summary The Minister sought clarification on which six rice categories the Member’s question referred to, noting that rice is classified into several types including white and red kakulu, samba, naadu and basmati. He stated that white naadu and red naadu are the most prevalent varieties and indicated that quantity figures are available if required. Oral Question: Presidential Vehicle Pool Management (Q.19/2025) Agriculture Read →
17 March 2026 AI summary Moved the adjournment of Parliament. The Presiding Member then proposed the question for debate. Adjournment Debate: Status of Development Officers and Parliament Adjournment Parliamentary Procedure Read →
17 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe said the Government is prioritizing fuel and energy allocation for essential sectors including agriculture, transport, industry, tourism and fisheries, with specific quotas for paddy harvesting, ploughing and threshing. He said supply-chain disruptions caused by external geopolitical pressures, rather than lack of Treasury funds, are the main challenge, and noted measures such as fuel support for distribution networks and a QR-linked app to assist tourist transport without queuing. He also stated that LPG demand had risen due to precautionary refilling, and outlined current and scheduled Litro imports intended to meet monthly requirements and secure future supply. Continuation of Debate: CIABOC Remuneration and Service Conditions Cost of LivingInfrastructureAgriculture Read →
17 March 2026 AI summary The Minister supported avoiding Pradeshiya and District Development Committee meetings on parliamentary sitting days except in emergencies with Members’ consent. He said the Government was strengthening CIABOC under the Anti-Corruption Act by addressing staff, premises, court capacity and risk allowance needs, and noted that older corruption complaints were now progressing. He also justified the temporary holiday and suspension of one sitting day as fuel-conservation measures amid the Iran conflict and possible disruption to global oil supplies, stating that urgent procurement of fuel, gas and coal had been authorized with Procurement Commission approval. He said the Government would prioritize fuel for agriculture, essential services and food production during the external shock. Continuation of Debate: CIABOC Remuneration and Service Conditions Cost of LivingForeign AffairsCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
5 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe said the co-operative sector is governed through both national-level and provincial frameworks following the 13th Amendment, with some provincial interim constitutions causing difficulties for members. He stated that a Cabinet-approved committee is reviewing amendments to both central and provincial co-operative laws, particularly relating to co-operative banks and societies. Draft bills have been prepared, and the Government intends to bring the amendments this year to protect co-operative enterprises, members’ rights, and strengthen the sector. Oral Question: Injustice to Gampaha SANASA Depositors (Q.8) Public FinanceLaw & OrderEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
5 March 2026 AI summary Funds invested in the SANASA bank belong to members of 379 Gampaha District societies and a wider network, involving about Rs. 3,000 million, with alleged irregularities occurring between 2010 and 2019. The Minister stated that action is being taken against 16 committee members and acknowledged failures by co-operative authorities, including inadequate audits and delayed legal action. He said 68 lending co-operative societies, mainly in the Western Province, are in financial crisis, and that investigations and interventions are being expedited through the Western Province Co-operative Commissioner on the Attorney General’s advice. Oral Question: Injustice to Gampaha SANASA Depositors (Q.8) Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
5 March 2026 AI summary The Minister responded to a question on the Limited Gampaha District Federation of Co-operative Thrift and Credit Societies, stating that 376 member depositors and 3,937 external depositors are affected, with deposits totaling about Rs. 3.035 billion. He outlined actions taken, including special and statutory audits, referrals to the CID and Bribery Commission, an inquiry under the Western Province Co-operative Statute, charge sheets against 16 committee members, and seven-year disqualifications imposed on 14 members. He added that advice has been sought from the Attorney General and further action will proceed accordingly, including possible action under the Public Property Act. Oral Question: Injustice to Gampaha SANASA Depositors (Q.8) Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
5 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe informed Parliament that he accepted a petition from Mr. D.A. Jagan Pushpakumara of Jayasiripura, Anuradhapura. Petitions: Citizens' Petitions Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
3 March 2026 AI summary The Minister said the Regulation under Section 22 of the Foreign Exchange Act was being debated against a backdrop of global conflict affecting Sri Lanka’s economy and workers in the Middle East, and stated the Government’s position that world leaders should intervene to stop the war and protect lives. He rejected Opposition claims on rising poverty by citing Official Poverty Line figures and argued that recent reductions reflected inflation control and price moderation. He detailed Government measures to secure LPG and fuel supplies, including import volumes, vessel schedules, daily cylinder distribution, action on companies failing to supply the market, possible cylinder exchanges, and plans to expand storage through new LPG and fuel tank farm projects. He urged the public not to panic-buy, stating that fuel and gas supplies were adequate and that recent shortages were easing. Debate: Regulation under Foreign Exchange Act, No. 12 of 2017 Public FinanceForeign AffairsCost of Living Read →
19 February 2026 AI summary The Minister said there was no overall gas shortage, stating that Litro’s tendered supplies were arriving as scheduled, with 24,000 metric tons delivered in January and further February shipments due on the 22nd, 26th and 28th. He attributed temporary market tightness to disruptions at Laugfs, which led consumers to shift to Litro, and said Litro would raise daily releases from 1,100–1,200 metric tons to 1,500 metric tons for three days. He said the Consumer Affairs Authority had summoned Laugfs, was instructed to ensure supplies to its customers, and would take legal action if necessary, while the Government would intervene to protect consumers if the private supplier failed to cooperate. Debate: Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Public FinanceCost of Living Read →
19 February 2026 AI summary The tender was awarded to the lowest bidder, and no breach of tender conditions by that supplier has been identified. The issue arose when a private company supplying about 20 percent of the market failed to deliver, increasing demand on the other company, and measures are being taken to resolve the situation. Debate: Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Public Finance Read →
19 February 2026 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe’s recorded intervention consists only of an address to the Deputy Speaker. No substantive issue, proposal, question, or argument is provided in the excerpt. Debate: Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Parliamentary Procedure Read →
19 February 2026 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that the recent LPG market tightness was due to Laugfs being unavailable while Litro continued supply, prompting consumers to rush to purchase gas. He said Litro would release 1,500 metric tons per day for three days to cover the shortfall and that directions had been issued to the relevant company, with further decisions to be taken if it failed to comply. Debate: Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Cost of Living Read →
19 February 2026 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe responded to concerns about gas queues, stating that the issue was caused by Laugfs halting distribution for two to three weeks, prompting its customers to seek Litro gas and creating a temporary demand surge. He said Litro, which supplies over 80 percent of the market, would increase daily releases from about 1,200 to 1,500 metric tons for several days, had buffer stocks, and had scheduled incoming shipments. He added that Laugfs had been instructed in writing and summoned by the Consumer Affairs Authority to resume supply, with a Laugfs shipment expected on the 25th. Debate: Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Public FinanceCost of Living Read →
19 February 2026 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe said the issues concerning economic centre management fall under his Ministry and involve procurement and management decisions, including irregular construction practices, unaccounted payments, and audit queries linked to earlier work by officials who are no longer in post. He stated that the Ministry will provide written clarification on ongoing actions. He added that NAMSL has been legally established, with board appointments made under Cabinet approval and relevant criteria, to manage Sri Lanka’s economic centres properly. Oral Question: Kaduruwela Market Complex (Q.) Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →