Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Anuradhapura

Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development

Profession: Politician

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Speeches 402 #9 of 225·#4 in party

Attendance 3/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

402 speeches

17 December 2024 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe urged the Chair to require the Member to ask his first supplementary question rather than turn the exchange into a debate. He said that if a debate was desired, it should be formally requested. Oral Question: White Onion Fraud and Trade Ministry Investigation (Q.52/2024) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
17 December 2024 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that no substantive questions had been raised before supplementary questions were sought. He indicated a procedural issue regarding the order of questioning in the House. Oral Question: White Onion Fraud and Trade Ministry Investigation (Q.52/2024) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
17 December 2024 AI summary The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe informed the Member that two supplementary questions were permitted and invited them to proceed with the first supplementary. Oral Question: White Onion Fraud and Trade Ministry Investigation (Q.52/2024) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
17 December 2024 AI summary The Chair informed Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe that he had already used one of his two permitted supplementary questions, indicating the procedural limit during the question period. Oral Question: White Onion Fraud and Trade Ministry Investigation (Q.52/2024) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
17 December 2024 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe reported on investigations into alleged fraud involving a Lanka Sathosa white onion consignment, stating that an internal disciplinary inquiry is ongoing and that related judicial proceedings are before the Welisara Magistrate’s Court, with the Attorney General expected to file indictments in the High Court. He named several former officials and noted that Sonal Brothers (Pvt) Ltd. officials had also been identified as suspects, while saying it is not yet possible to confirm all individuals definitively linked to the fraud. He said the consignment was bought at Rs. 105 per kg and sold at Rs. 135 per kg despite a system-recorded market price of Rs. 355 per kg, leading the CID to allege loss of potential state revenue, and added that implicated officers are no longer serving at the institution. Oral Question: White Onion Fraud and Trade Ministry Investigation (Q.52/2024) Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
17 December 2024 AI summary The Minister answered a question on the 2021 “garlic scam,” stating that 54,860 kg of garlic handed to Sathosa at Rs. 110 per kg was sold the same day to a Sathosa supplier at about Rs. 135 per kg, despite a retail price of Rs. 355, causing an estimated loss of around Rs. 12 million to Sathosa. He said preliminary and internal inquiries identified six persons, disciplinary action was taken against involved Sathosa officials, and a case is before the Welisara Magistrate’s Court. He added that the CID has sought the Attorney-General’s opinion, steps are being taken regarding High Court proceedings, and relevant inquiry reports have been tabled or placed in the Library. Oral Question: White Onion Fraud and Trade Ministry Investigation (Q.52/2024) Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
17 December 2024 AI summary The Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development presented the 2023 Performance Report and Annual Accounts of the Measurement Units, Standards and Services Department. He moved that the report be referred to the relevant committee, and the House agreed. Papers: Auditor-General's Report and Reports Tabled Parliamentary Procedure Read →
6 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe moved that Hon. Kitnan Selvaraj take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which Hon. (Snr. Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara left the Chair and Hon. Kitnan Selvaraj assumed the Chair. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Parliamentary Procedure Read →
6 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe accused the previous government of responsibility for mass killings, citing 60,000 deaths, while questioning its call for compensation to affected families. He stated that perpetrators and those who protected them should be punished, and said the current government would take action against them. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Justice & Human RightsLaw & Order Read →
6 December 2024 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe rose on a Point of Order. No substantive argument, proposal, or question was recorded in the provided excerpt. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Parliamentary Procedure Read →
6 December 2024 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe briefly questioned why the “Shakthi Sahal” programme was not continued during the relevant five-year period. The intervention sought clarification from another Member in the context of a discussion on that programme. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Parliamentary Procedure Read →
6 December 2024 AI summary Imports have been opened until 20 December, with discussions held with importers to bring in the maximum feasible quantity. Due to flood damage in the Eastern Province requiring over 70,000 acres to be replanted, only about 50,000 tons may be imported immediately, while a tender for 52,000 tons has been floated. The aim is to secure enough supply to stabilize the market while avoiding harm to farmers. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Cost of LivingAgriculture Read →
6 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe alleged that certain rice millers, including Ratna Rice Mill, had obtained large public-bank loans but were withholding rice from the market, contributing to higher prices. He warned that future bank financing would be reconsidered for those not supplying rice, and said the Government would act against “mafias” in rice, coconuts, and other essential goods to stabilize prices ahead of the festive season. He also described the Vote on Account as an interim measure before a full Budget aimed at workers, producers, industries, and the Government’s “Clean Sri Lanka” programme. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Cost of LivingPublic FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
6 December 2024 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe briefly responded to another Member, asking them not to become agitated and stating that he was in the process of answering their point. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or legislative matter was raised in this intervention. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Parliamentary Procedure Read →
6 December 2024 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe said discussions had been held with both large and small rice millers, noting that small millers lacked stocks while large millers held bank-financed stocks. He stated that supplies had begun to Sathosa, with 100,000 kg delivered the previous day and 50,000 kg that day, to be distributed at around Rs. 220. He said millers had also been instructed to release rice to the open market under maximum retail prices of Rs. 220 for Nadu, Rs. 210 for Kekulu, and Rs. 230 for Samba, with priority given to Sathosa to ensure monitoring of stocks. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Public FinanceCost of Living Read →
6 December 2024 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe objected that his allotted speaking time was being affected by interruptions while he was responding to another Member’s question. He sought clarification on whether his 20-minute allocation had expired. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Parliamentary Procedure Read →
6 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe said the Government would proceed within existing understandings, including with the IMF, while avoiding instability and implementing the NPP’s programme following its mandate. He referred to past debt accumulation and questioned the use of some loan proceeds, stating that forensic audits are being pursued. He said the short-term Vote on Account would be followed by a Budget under the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme, and addressed price pressures on essential goods. On rice, he said large millers with about Rs. 15 billion in state bank loans had been instructed to release stocks, with supplies now going to Sathosa and maximum retail prices notified for Nadu, Kekulu and Samba rice. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters AgriculturePublic FinanceCost of Living Read →
6 December 2024 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that two days before the Presidential Election, President Ranil Wickremesinghe entered into an agreement subject to prior conditions and understandings. The remark appears to question the circumstances and implications of that agreement in the context of the election period. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
6 December 2024 AI summary The Minister defended the Vote on Account and said the Government must complete IMF-linked debt restructuring arrangements inherited from the previous administration, including bilateral agreements and sovereign bond settlements, in order to stabilize the economy and implement its programme. He stated that the proposed Rs. 3,000 billion increase in the borrowing limit is connected to completing the sovereign bond restructuring, which he said had already been provided for under the 2024 Budget by the former Finance Minister. He also responded to Opposition questions on issues including corruption, SriLankan Airlines, market shortages, commodity prices, wages and flood relief, arguing that the Government would proceed with its mandate and the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme while engaging with international institutions. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
5 December 2024 AI summary The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that coconuts are being made available through Sathosa outlets from that day. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) Cost of Living Read →