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

19 February 2026 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that NAMSL is intended to provide orderly and uniform facilities for traders, farmers and consumers, and to ease business rather than obstruct it. He said existing shop operators would be allowed to continue under five-year lease renewals, with rent revisions every three years based on government valuations and agreed terms. He also noted that a management committee including local administrative officials, trade and farmer representatives, Police and a bank had been appointed to regularize operations, and rejected allegations that the institution would act against traders. Oral Question: Kaduruwela Market Complex (Q.) AgriculturePublic FinanceLaw & Order Read →
19 February 2026 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe said the National Agri Market Services Limited had been legally regularized through a fresh Cabinet Memorandum and is a fully state-owned company under the Secretary to the Treasury. He argued that its purpose is to manage 18 economic centres uniformly, citing alleged misuse of state-owned shop rooms, including subletting, sales, and use by a bank at Kurunduwatta. He stated that board appointments are finalized by the Treasury Secretary and that tender-related decisions are implemented through the Ministry Secretary. Oral Question: Kaduruwela Market Complex (Q.) AgricultureCorruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
5 February 2026 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that the Government’s policy is to pursue production-led growth by facilitating productive sectors and expanding exports. He noted that exports to the United States declined from USD 3,291 million in 2022 to USD 2,762 million in 2023, before rising to USD 2,910 million in 2024, and said further growth is needed. He said the Government, through continued discussions and the Export Development Board, is working to increase market share, broaden the exporter base, diversify the export basket, and strengthen reserves. Ministry Statements: University Vacancies and Educational Opportunities Public FinanceEmployment Read →
5 February 2026 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that recent US tariff actions show preferential access is not automatic, noting Sri Lanka’s reciprocal tariff rate of 20 per cent compared with higher initial indications and varying rates for selected regional countries. He said discussions with the US are ongoing on a reciprocal tariff agreement covering goods, services, investment, digital trade, labour-related standards and other areas, but no final timeline or binding terms have been agreed and details remain confidential. He emphasized that the Government will protect vulnerable sectors such as agriculture, SMEs, apparel and fisheries through safeguards, phased liberalization, negative lists and trade remedy laws, while monitoring impacts and updating Parliament according to procedure. Ministry Statements: University Vacancies and Educational Opportunities Foreign AffairsPublic Finance Read →
5 February 2026 AI summary Discussions with the United States are being handled through formal intergovernmental channels, involving USTR and other US agencies, while Sri Lanka is represented by an inter-agency team chaired by the Finance Ministry Secretary. The process is conducted in line with Cabinet decisions and includes consultations with relevant ministries, regulators, and the private sector where appropriate. The response emphasized that Sri Lanka’s economic context, IMF-related reforms, vulnerabilities, and recent consolidation are being raised in the talks, and that the Government also briefed the US Embassy on the impact of Cyclone “Ditwah”. Ministry Statements: University Vacancies and Educational Opportunities Foreign AffairsPublic Finance Read →
22 January 2026 AI summary Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe defended the Government’s education reforms, arguing that the Opposition was spreading misinformation by linking curriculum changes to religion, sexuality and other political claims. He said starting ICT at Grade 6 was consistent with Sri Lanka’s educational structure, infrastructure limitations and international practice, and noted that primary education should focus on literacy, numeracy and languages. He also said the Government was addressing teacher recruitment, infrastructure and pension entitlements, while investigating whether alleged problematic curriculum material was an isolated lapse or politically motivated. Adjournment Debate: Comprehensive Educational Transformation Process Education Read →
22 January 2026 AI summary The Minister tabled a written answer with annexes on the Lanka Sathosa Super Market Complex in Kilinochchi, stating that the building and land use had received the required approvals from relevant land, local authority and urban development bodies. He reported that construction used Lanka Sathosa/CWE-related funds, with total recorded expenditure of Rs. 272,721,536.71, and noted Cabinet and Board decisions concerning an additional payment of Rs. 49,634,237.50. He also stated that the complex began operations on 28 July 2015, that parking land issues had been addressed through proposed long-term vesting, and that Lanka Sathosa leased the complex to 9 Complex Company for 10 years from 10 January 2024. Oral Question: Sathosa Store Building - Construction and Maintenance Public FinanceLand & Housing Read →
21 January 2026 AI summary The Minister tabled a written answer on cooperative rural banking in the Western Province, stating that while no separate cooperative rural bank branches are registered, 505 rural banks operate within 38 MPCSs and one banking society. He provided district-wise figures and said no branches are non-operational, though branches of the Dehiwala–Mount Lavinia and Maharagama MPCSs have faced deposit repayment difficulties. He stated that repayments are being made through recovery of overdue loans and asset disposal, and that inquiries under provincial cooperative regulations and CID investigations are ongoing where responsibility for financial crises is alleged. Second Round of Oral Questions and Standing Order clarification Public FinanceAgriculture Read →
20 January 2026 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that the President had not spoken against any religion, but had warned against using religion to incite racism, and noted reports that complaints may be made to the CID over the matter. He linked this to the Amendment and education reforms before Parliament, saying the Government would continue providing relief and facilities to those in need under the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” programme. Debate - Aswesuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme Religion & CultureEducation Read →
20 January 2026 AI summary The Minister sought approval to extend the Aswesuma Welfare Benefits Payment Scheme for six months for around 500,000 beneficiaries, while outlining related housing and community development initiatives, including a target of 16,000 houses and wider inter-ministerial plans for 50,000 houses. He highlighted government interventions to reduce prices of essential goods, citing reductions in onions, potatoes, sugar, milk powder, wheat flour and rice prices, alongside social protection measures. He defended ongoing education reforms based on curriculum, infrastructure, human resources, monitoring and evaluation, and public awareness, rejecting Opposition criticism over disputed content in a Grade 6 English module and calling for any no-confidence motion to be formally tabled. He said the reforms would proceed from Grade 1 with identified lapses corrected and public communication strengthened. Debate - Aswesuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme Cost of LivingEducationPublic Finance Read →
6 January 2026 AI summary The Minister stated that the functions of the former Ministry of Trade, Consumer Affairs, Co-operative Development and Christian Religious Affairs were transferred in 2018 to another ministry under Extraordinary Gazette No. 2103/33 of 28 December 2018. He informed Parliament that, as a result, the current Ministry has no document files relating to the requested period regarding official vehicles. Questions and Papers (Resumption after Adjournment) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
19 December 2025 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe moved a procedural motion for Hon. Upul Kithsiri to take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which the Deputy Chairperson of Committees left the Chair and Hon. Upul Kithsiri assumed it. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 240 – Programme 02 – Cyclone Disaster Relief (Rs. 500 Billion) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
19 December 2025 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe said the Government was preparing for both post-flood recovery and a possible dry season, noting a forecast 15 per cent rainfall reduction, the need for crop insurance, disease prevention, resettlement, road clearance, tank repairs and food security. He rejected Opposition allegations that relief had not been provided, saying the Government had mounted a major operation within about 20 days after unprecedented nationwide flooding that caused nearly 700 deaths and left many missing. He emphasized the cultural and economic importance of village tanks, citing more than 630 breaches in Anuradhapura and the use of over 150,000 sandbags to repair 65 tanks, while thanking farmers, villagers, the tri-forces, Police and Civil Security personnel for supporting repairs during the Maha cultivation season. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 240 – Programme 02 – Cyclone Disaster Relief (Rs. 500 Billion) AgricultureEnvironmentPublic Finance Read →
19 December 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe supported the Rs. 500 billion supplementary estimate for relief and reconstruction following Cyclone “Dicha,” stating that the allocation specifies how funds will be used to compensate affected communities and rebuild damaged areas. He rejected Opposition claims that the Government had prior knowledge of the threat and failed to act, arguing that seasonal rainfall risks had been discussed through official channels, including the Food Policy and Security Committee on 23 November and briefings by the Meteorological Department at the start of the Maha season. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 240 – Programme 02 – Cyclone Disaster Relief (Rs. 500 Billion) Public FinanceAgricultureEnvironment Read →
5 December 2025 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe moved the approval of the National Institute of Co-operative Development’s Annual Report for 2023, including the Auditor-General’s observations, under the relevant provisions of Act No. 1 of 2001. He noted that the report had been considered by the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Sustainable Use of Resources and subsequently presented to Parliament. The motion was put to the House and agreed to. Procedural - Bills and Resolutions: Second Reading and Approvals Parliamentary Procedure Read →
5 December 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Finance, Wasantha Samarasinghe moved amendments during the Committee Stage of the 2026 Appropriation Bill relating to the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development and its departments. The amendments increased capital provision under Head 116 by Rs. 1.5 billion, linked to Budget Proposals Nos. 26 and 59, and increased the Department of Food Commissioner’s capital provision by Rs. 250 million under Budget Proposal No. 24. The Committee agreed to the amended recurrent and capital allocations for the Ministry and related institutions, including the Departments of Commerce, Registrar of Companies, Measurement Units, Standards and Services, National Intellectual Property Office, Co-operative Development, and the Co-operative Employees Commission. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Continued Budget Debate and Amendments Public Finance Read →
5 December 2025 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe thanked the Sri Lankan diaspora, foreign nationals, assisting countries, state institutions, security forces, local officials, and other workers for their role in responding to cyclone-related damage. He said recovery and rebuilding would take time beyond the initial emergency response, and invited the Opposition to support reconstruction while avoiding remarks he described as insensitive to affected people. He stated that the President and Government were leading the rebuilding effort with international, national, public, private, and civil society support. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionInfrastructure Read →
5 December 2025 AI summary The Minister said the final Committee Stage debate was overtaken by the impact of the “Dissha” cyclone, defending the declaration of special leave for public servants through Circular 30/2025 while noting that essential and disaster relief staff could still be called in. He outlined extensive national and Anuradhapura District damage, including nearly 500 deaths, around 350 missing persons, major displacement, widespread housing and crop losses, and damage to hundreds of tanks and irrigation structures. He said the Government had appointed an Essential Services Commissioner-General, was organizing cleaning and relief operations, and would need to plan for replanting, agricultural inputs, and mitigation. He also rejected criticism of rescue efforts, citing the Kalawewa bridge bus rescue as an example of coordinated action by the Navy, Air Force, Police and Civil Defence under difficult conditions. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Law & OrderPublic FinanceEnvironment Read →
5 December 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe put the matter before the House and proceeded to the next item after members indicated assent. He then called Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha to speak, allocating him 16 minutes. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Opening and Scheduling Parliamentary Procedure Read →
5 December 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe proposed allocating half an hour of speaking time to each side of the House. The intervention concerned the procedural arrangement for debate time. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Opening and Scheduling Parliamentary Procedure Read →