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

11 September 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe criticized Opposition MPs for moving and speaking on an adjournment motion before leaving the Chamber, leaving only one Opposition Member present by the end. He argued that this conduct wasted Parliamentary time, citing members who spoke on issues such as Polonnaruwa farmers and then departed. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
11 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe briefly remarked that another Member had left the Chamber after making a speech. The intervention appears to have been a procedural or rhetorical comment during the debate rather than a substantive policy statement. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
11 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe asks for the point of order to be stated, indicating a procedural intervention during the debate rather than advancing a substantive policy argument. No specific legislative issue, proposal, or demand is raised in the quoted speech. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
11 September 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe briefly noted that another member had also spoken and then left the chamber. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or question was raised in this remark. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
11 September 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that he had proposed to the Speaker that a small stage be set up on the Parliament grounds in the morning for a television show. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
11 September 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe said the matter raised by Hon. Ravi Karunanayake under Standing Order 27(2) had already been the subject of the previous evening’s adjournment debate, and said he would refer to the Hansard after responding the following day. He criticized Opposition members for using parliamentary opportunities for publicity, leaving before replies are given, and making personal insults against government members. He pledged support to the Speaker in maintaining the dignity and orderly conduct of the House. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
11 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that the issues raised in Hon. Ravi Karunanayake’s 27(2) Question and the adjournment debate concerned the same matters: paddy production, fertilizer, and rice supply. He said those points had already been addressed in the debate and that he would provide the formal answer to the 27(2) Question the following day. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Agriculture Read →
11 September 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe criticized the Opposition for allegedly disrupting proceedings after the Speaker’s ruling and using the incident for publicity. He said the Opposition had requested additional time for a debate at the Business Committee but was absent during it, including the Opposition Leader, whom he argued should have remained to represent the public and respond to the Government. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
11 September 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that no such procedure exists, addressing the Speaker. The remark appears to be a procedural objection or clarification, but no further details or substantive proposal were provided in the excerpt. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
11 September 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that he would attend when required and provide answers. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
11 September 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe responded to a claim by the Chief Opposition Organizer that government members “speak and go,” saying the Opposition could be given two full days to speak if the government were allowed to reply the following day. He argued that such conduct was not the government’s practice and questioned whether the Opposition had remained in the chamber to challenge the government’s points on farmers. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
11 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe, speaking during debate on the National Audit (Amendment) Bill and Supplementary Estimates, criticized the Opposition for allegedly staging disruptions to generate media and social media coverage rather than engaging with the business before Parliament. He said the Government could defeat any no-confidence motion and accused the Opposition of pressuring the Speaker and seeking procedural pretexts. He also argued that Opposition members had failed to participate substantively in the previous day’s adjournment debate on agriculture despite requesting time for it. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
11 September 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe accused Hon. Amila Prasad of acting against his conscience, referring to a social media post stating “Lakmali, forgive me” as evidence that he recognized wrongdoing. He argued that the matter was not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of conduct. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
11 September 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe drew attention to a social media post or other published post, asking the House to examine its contents. No further substantive argument, proposal, or policy position is provided in the excerpt. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
11 September 2025 AI summary The Minister challenges allegations of a lack of confidence, implying that recent developments or positions taken by the opposition undermine that claim. The remark appears to respond to an earlier argument in the debate questioning confidence in the government or a related policy matter. Ministerial Statements and Privilege Question Parliamentary Procedure Read →
10 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe outlined Government measures to support paddy purchasing and milling, stating that Rs. 6,528 million in loans had been approved for 244 mill owners, with 58 percent disbursed, and that Rs. 8 billion had been provided to the Paddy Marketing Board. He said the Government had set graded paddy prices, including Rs. 120 per kilogram for properly dried paddy, to prevent farmers being exploited by lower open-market prices, and would table harvest and purchase data for Members. He also referred to PMB purchase volumes in recent years, its outstanding bank debt of about Rs. 29.25 billion, and measures to bring non-performing and sealed mills back into the process, while rejecting Opposition allegations about the programme. Adjournment Debate: Fair Guaranteed Price for Paddy AgriculturePublic Finance Read →
10 September 2025 AI summary The Minister rejected the Opposition’s Motion alleging inadequate paddy prices, insufficient purchasing, and delayed fertilizer, stating that only about 54 percent of the Yala harvest had been completed and the season was still ongoing. He said Yala cultivation had increased by about 80,000 hectares, with expected production exceeding 2.3 million metric tons, supported by fertilizer assistance and Rs. 21 billion already disbursed for the season. He also stated that credit had been provided to millers, including small and medium operators, and that the Government would continue rehabilitating stores, expanding dryers, and stabilizing market prices for farmers and consumers. Adjournment Debate: Fair Guaranteed Price for Paddy Public FinanceCost of LivingAgriculture Read →
9 September 2025 AI summary The Minister supported the Sri Lanka–United Arab Emirates investment protection agreement, noting Cabinet approval on 09 February 2025, Sri Lanka’s history of similar agreements, and the requirement for parliamentary approval by a two-thirds majority under Article 157 of the Constitution. He reiterated the Government’s stated position on Palestine and denied allegations that the Government sent a group of journalists to Israel, saying any such visits were arranged independently by media institutions. He also rejected Opposition claims circulated on social media regarding containers and narcotics, and stated that the Government would support CID and law-enforcement action against drug trafficking, smuggling and underworld networks without political protection. Debate: Agreement between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (Continued) Foreign AffairsPublic FinanceLaw & Order Read →
9 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe moved that Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasinghe take the Chair. The House agreed to the proposal, after which Hon. Chanaka Madugoda left the Chair and Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasinghe assumed it. Debate: Agreement between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (Continued) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 September 2025 AI summary The Minister said the current Special Commodity Levy decision was based on 2025 import volumes and domestic production, not on historical data from 2007 onward, which would require inputs from multiple ministries. He stated that the proposal was considered through the Food Policy and Security Committee, a subcommittee, the Tariff Policy Committee, and Cabinet before implementation, and that the Rs. 40 levy was intended to balance farmer protection, food security, and consumer interests. He also said there were no leaks before Cabinet approval, citing August import volumes as evidence that imports had not spiked to exploit the levy change. Oral Question: Government Schools in Eastern Province - Teacher Vacancies (Q.1112/2025) Cost of LivingAgriculturePublic Finance Read →