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

23 July 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe challenged the Opposition to identify when and by whom disputed lands were granted to companies, arguing that earlier governments had allocated them on maps despite long-standing cultivation by farmers and that the current process is constrained by court orders. He said the Government is seeking solutions for affected families, including in the Trincomalee dispute, where he attributed the origins to a previous administration and stated that farmers living there for decades should be protected and compensated if necessary. He also addressed economic centres, saying many of the 18 centres suffer from irregularities, unclear leases, and past payments taken for stalls, and urged the Opposition to read the relevant Cabinet paper before raising questions. He added that proposed Companies Act amendments on beneficial ownership are intended to address theft, black money, and misappropriated assets, not to impose arbitrary limits on companies. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Land & HousingPublic FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
23 July 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that the amendment would strengthen Sri Lanka’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist and proliferation financing framework, in line with FATF recommendations and its APG obligations. He said it would help prevent asset concealment and laundering through companies, and requested support from all Members for its passage. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Corruption & Governance ReformPublic FinanceJustice & Human Rights Read →
23 July 2025 AI summary Foreign companies registering in Sri Lanka would be required to make beneficial ownership disclosures to the Registrar of Companies in line with FATF standards and regional practice. Wasantha Samarasinghe said delays since 2017 reflected reluctance to ensure transparency, and argued that the amendments would prevent individuals using proxies or unexplained wealth to acquire major stakes without declaring funding sources and taxes paid. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
23 July 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that questions from another Member could be raised during the debate and would be answered then. He said measures concerning offshore incorporations in jurisdictions such as the British Virgin Islands and US Virgin Islands would improve transparency regarding their use by Sri Lankans, and noted that investigations were ongoing. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
23 July 2025 AI summary The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that personal data is governed by separate data protection legislation and cannot be disclosed unlawfully. He noted that beneficial ownership information may be obtained where legally permitted, including through Right to Information requests to the Registrar of Companies, subject to compliance with the data protection framework. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Justice & Human RightsPublic Finance Read →
23 July 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that observations from the Court on the petition filed against the Bill had been incorporated. He said concerns on personal data protection were addressed through compliance with the Personal Data Protection Act, and that the Bill allowed access to information through properly routed RTI requests with safeguards. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Justice & Human Rights Read →
23 July 2025 AI summary Moved the Second Reading of amendments to the Companies Act to introduce beneficial ownership requirements, citing fraud, shell companies, money laundering risks, and Sri Lanka’s obligations under FATF Recommendation 24. He said the Registrar of Companies would be empowered to obtain and maintain records identifying the natural persons who ultimately own or control all types of companies, with companies required to submit this information within six months of enactment. He argued that the reforms are needed to avoid future FATF grey-listing or blacklisting and to improve transparency over assets, share acquisitions, sources of funds, and tax compliance. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
23 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe explained that guaranteed paddy prices are set with input from farmer organizations and stakeholders, with Rs. 120 per kg for dry paddy and Rs. 102 per kg for moist paddy reflecting drying losses. He noted supply-chain pressures including limited Paddy Marketing Board storage, private storage dependence, industrial use of paddy, population and dietary changes, and said the Government is providing Rs. 40 billion in seasonal credit while helping small and medium millers access bank facilities. He stated that rice imports are considered only when local supply is inadequate and that the Government is working with the Consumer Affairs Authority to stabilize the market, particularly for Keeri Samba. Ministerial Statement: Government Policies on Paddy Purchase and Rice Import AgricultureCost of Living Read →
23 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe responded to an SO 27(2) question on rice supply, stating that annual national rice demand is 2.4 million metric tons and expected production from the Yala and Maha seasons could reach about 2.7 million metric tons, with current PMB and Sathosa stocks and procurement continuing. He outlined district-level production costs, guaranteed paddy procurement prices, maximum retail rice prices, and said Rs. 6,000 million had been allocated for PMB purchases with additional funding possible if needed. He also reported that 101,267.56 metric tons of rice had been imported up to 13 July 2025 and referred to crop insurance and programmes to reduce crop losses, with detailed responses tabled in the Library. Ministerial Statement: Government Policies on Paddy Purchase and Rice Import Public FinanceAgriculture Read →
23 July 2025 AI summary Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that responses were being prepared to questions raised on 9 July 2025 by Hon. Sajith Premadasa and Hon. Shritharan. He said data on red onions had been obtained from relevant departments but the full answer was still pending and would be provided within the week. He also informed the House that the response to Hon. Premadasa’s question was lengthy and asked whether it should be read out or tabled. Ministerial Statement: Government Policies on Paddy Purchase and Rice Import Parliamentary ProcedureAgriculture Read →
23 July 2025 AI summary The Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development presented the 2023 Performance Report of the Department of Food Commissioner and the 2024 Performance Report of the Department of Registrar of Companies. He proposed that both reports be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Sustainable Use of Resources, and the House agreed. Papers: Annual Reports and Performance Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
22 July 2025 AI summary Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe said the Government is using minimum wage legislation to protect private, estate, and informal sector workers while supporting investment, exports, and domestic job creation. He stated that the Minimum Wage Amendment consolidates earlier budgetary relief allowance laws to establish a single minimum wage of Rs. 30,000 and requires EPF/ETF contributions to be calculated on that basic amount. He also referred to export-sector challenges, including US tariffs and dumping, and said the Government would seek new markets, adjust input tariffs, advance Port City sustainably, and use anti-dumping legislation to protect local producers. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Public FinanceCost of LivingEmployment Read →
22 July 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe said the Bills would raise the minimum wage for private sector workers from Rs. 21,000 to Rs. 30,000, with increases of Rs. 6,000 from April 2025 and Rs. 3,000 from January 2026, covering workers such as cleaners, security guards, manpower employees, shop workers, and apparel workers. He stated that the proposal follows discussions with the Labour Ministry and employers’ federations and builds on earlier Budgetary Relief Acts of 2005 and 2016. Addressing estate sector wages, he said the daily wage issue is before court, but the Government would act to ensure plantation workers can earn the Rs. 1,700 daily wage determined through the Wages Board process. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) EmploymentPublic FinanceLaw & Order Read →
22 July 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe informed the House that he had prepared a reply to a question raised by the Leader of the Opposition under Standing Order 27(2) during the previous sitting week. He requested to provide the reply the following day because he needed to attend a Consultative Committee meeting. SO 27(2) Question: Human-Elephant Conflict Parliamentary Procedure Read →
11 July 2025 AI summary The Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development moved that Parliament adjourn. The Deputy Chairperson of Committees then proposed the question for consideration. Adjournment - Fishing Practices in Trincomalee and Parliamentary Decentralized Funds Parliamentary Procedure Read →
11 July 2025 AI summary The Minister outlined the Government’s plan to strengthen regulation and monitoring of co-operative rural banks and thrift and credit co-operative societies, citing serious financial irregularities in entities operating under the co-operative label. He said organisations taking deposits and lending as banks must obtain Central Bank licensing, and announced stricter auditing, reporting, recruitment controls, branch regulation, and legal amendments where needed. He referred to large reported shortfalls in several district co-operatives and deposits collected by so-called “Saubhagya” entities, stating that authorities are tracing funds and will act against unlicensed or politically established financial operations while supporting genuine co-operative banking. Private Members' Motion No. 1: Co-operative Rural Banks Supervision Law & OrderPublic FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
11 July 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe proposed that Hon. Kitnan Selvaraj take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which the Deputy Speaker left the Chair and Hon. Selvaraj assumed it. Private Members' Motion No. 1: Co-operative Rural Banks Supervision Parliamentary Procedure Read →
11 July 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe questioned the location or production of a warrant. The intervention appears to be a brief procedural or legal challenge seeking clarification on whether a warrant existed or was available. Points of Order - Broadcasting and Warrant Matter Justice & Human Rights Read →
11 July 2025 AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe demanded that a warrant be produced, challenging an opposing claim or accusation made during the debate. He also objected to what he characterized as false statements, calling for an end to such remarks. Points of Order - Broadcasting and Warrant Matter Parliamentary Procedure Read →
11 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that allegations made in the House, particularly regarding Prabhakaran’s weapons and national security threats, were being broadcast live and should not be made without evidence. He urged those making such claims to appear before the relevant authorities, including the CID, and provide evidence rather than using Parliament to spread falsehoods. Points of Order - Broadcasting and Warrant Matter Parliamentary ProcedureJustice & Human RightsSecurity & Defence Read →