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 December 2024 AI summary Acknowledging a rice market shortfall and allegations of hoarding, the Minister said the Government is taking short-term measures to stabilize supply, including permitting up to 70,000 metric tons of rice imports, of which about 50,000 metric tons are expected to arrive. He said Sathosa is releasing 200 metric tons of rice daily at Rs. 220 per kilo, covering about three percent of daily demand, until imports and private stocks enter the market. He also stated that some traders and loan recipients are attempting to manipulate stocks and prices, and said he would present details and pursue longer-term measures to prevent market abuse. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) Cost of LivingAgricultureCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
4 December 2024 AI summary Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe outlined government measures to address rice shortages, stating that official production data indicated a surplus but market shortages reflected gaps in data, competing uses of paddy byproducts, banking constraints on millers, and flood damage to cultivated land. He said import restrictions on all rice varieties had been lifted until 21 December, with expected imports through private channels, Sathosa and the State Trading Corporation, and that millers had agreed to supply rice to Sathosa at Rs. 220 per kilo. He also announced measures to ease coconut shortages by directing state plantation companies to supply Sathosa, enabling sales at Rs. 130 per coconut and distributing one million coconuts over two weeks. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate AgricultureCost of LivingPublic Finance Read →