Sitting of Tuesday, 17 December 2024
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1734685396083959 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard
Order of business
Speeches load per item. Summaries shown here are AI-generated and labelled; verbatim text is on each speech page.
- 1 Opening Opening: Parliament Meeting, Affirmations, and Speaker's Election 35 speeches
- 2 Papers Papers: Auditor-General's Report and Reports Tabled 10 speeches
- 3 Oral question Oral Question: Early Childhood Development Centres Registration and Monitoring (Q.45/2024) 7 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Question: White Onion Fraud and Trade Ministry Investigation (Q.52/2024) 45 speeches
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri asked the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development about the reported “garlic scam,” seeking confirmation of public concerns and details of any investigations conducted. He requested the names of involved persons or institutions, the estimated loss, and a breakdown of measures already taken and planned, or reasons if no action had been taken.
- The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development JJB
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.
- The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB
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.
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri congratulated the Speaker on his election and then challenged the basis of information provided by the Minister. He asked whether the Minister’s answers came from one of the “400 files” the Minister had prepared, or from officials of the previous government implicated in the alleged wrongdoing.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB
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.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri briefly clarified that his question was intended to understand the matter under discussion, rather than to make a substantive point or objection.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB
AI summary The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe informed the Member that two supplementary questions were permitted and invited them to proceed with the first supplementary.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri began to ask a supplementary question, but the provided excerpt contains no substantive remarks, policy position, proposal, or question beyond addressing the Speaker.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB
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.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri questioned Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe over his earlier opposition claim that he possessed 400 files on alleged fraud, including the white onion case. He said the current proceedings appeared to rely only on a Sathosa complaint and urged Samarasinghe to disclose the names and evidence he had previously claimed to have, so that the Minister of Justice could act against those responsible.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri stated that he would base his first supplementary question on a file prepared under the previous Government, which he characterized as corrupt. He added that he intended to raise questions in future regarding files prepared by the present Government as well.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri attempted to pose his first supplementary question and asked the Minister to be seated so he could proceed. He made a brief critical remark suggesting the Minister was acting differently in Parliament compared to outside, but the substantive question was not included in the excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB
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.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri made a brief procedural remark urging a Minister not to be agitated in the morning. He added, in a light aside, that such conduct might alarm the newly appointed Speaker.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri referred to 400 files reportedly prepared by the Opposition and specifically mentioned a file concerning alleged white onion fraud. He stated that the answer regarding that matter was still unknown and raised it for clarification in the House.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB
AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that the number of relevant files had increased from 400 to 760 and said he could provide details on all of them if a separate question was submitted. He also indicated that a file existed concerning the questioner’s resignation from Parliament and invited the Member to proceed with a supplementary question.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri remarked that the Speaker who had been brought in through the Government’s backing had now left office, and called for those responsible to provide answers regarding that situation.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB
AI summary The remark indicates that a relevant file has been provided or made available, likely in response to a procedural or document-related matter. No substantive policy argument, proposal, or question is presented in the excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri criticized a Minister over alleged administrative misconduct, including a file relating to the leasing of a building. He suggested the Minister should be ashamed and indicated he was closely watching the matter.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB
AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe made a brief remark suggesting that the addressee would “end up in Burma anyway.” No specific policy proposal, legislative issue, or substantive argument was presented in the statement.
Foreign Affairs Full speech → - The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Asked whether there is a separate file concerning money taken after renting out a building. The question appears to seek clarification on documentation or records related to a rental transaction.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB
AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe urged that, if the member wished to raise supplementary questions, he should be asked to do so.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri attempted to address the House and direct a question or remark to a Minister but was interrupted or not given an opportunity to proceed. He appealed to the Speaker for permission to speak.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake requested the Speaker to allow Members to ask supplementary questions while ensuring that irrelevant or disruptive conduct is noted. He emphasized that, given the limited time agreed for the next debate through the Parliamentary Business Committee and the Leader of the Opposition, the Speaker should protect all Members’ rights by preventing any one Member from taking excessive time.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri questioned the handling of stocks released from the Port to Sathosa, arguing that the gap between Sathosa’s fixed price and the market price indicated possible embezzlement or theft. He asked why those allegedly identified in relevant files had not been promptly arrested and illustrated his concern with an example of imported rice being bought at a lower cost and sold at a much higher maximum retail price.
- The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB
AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe instructed the Member to keep the supplementary question relevant to the matter under discussion. He said any question on rice should be raised separately, at which point he would provide an answer.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB
AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe intervened procedurally to urge that parliamentary time not be wasted on irrelevant narration. He requested that any supplementary question be asked directly and remain relevant to the matter under discussion.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri questioned the Minister regarding alleged losses and commissions linked to a white onion fraud, arguing that arbitrary pricing decisions may have enabled such commissions. He asked whether investigations had identified those who received commissions and whether any political authority was directly connected to the matter.
- The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB
AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe said a case related to the matter is before the Welisara Court, with accused persons named and a report annexed to the official answer. He stated that further legal action would be taken on the advice of the Attorney General, and that investigations would proceed if the filings indicate political involvement. He also noted that the incident occurred in 2021, before the National People’s Power government.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri questioned the Minister’s position on alleged irregularities involving a Ministry and the BOG, arguing that accusations of fraud, bribery and political involvement had been made by the current government while in Opposition. He asked whether action would now depend only on a court finding and challenged the Minister to accept or deny the earlier allegations, noting the apparent shift from promises of prosecutions to saying there was no political connection.
- The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB
AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that Sathosa had conducted an inquiry into the alleged fraud and that a related criminal case was before the Welisara Court, limiting what could be disclosed in Parliament due to sub judice considerations. He said the available information indicated irregular pricing instructions, including sales at Rs. 135 despite a Sathosa price of Rs. 355, and argued that such actions would have required political direction, calling for action against the responsible political authority.
- The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB
AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe asked for an opportunity to respond after two supplementary questions had been posed. The intervention was procedural, indicating he intended to answer the questions if allowed to continue.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB
AI summary The CID has completed investigations and a case is before court with charges filed and accused persons named. Wasantha Samarasinghe said there appear to be political links to the accused and stated that, if the investigation is not properly conducted, steps will be taken to ensure it is, while emphasizing that punishment is a matter for the courts.
- The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB
AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that alleged fraud should be addressed through the country’s legal process rather than extrajudicial action. He assured Parliament that a fair investigation would be conducted and that criminals, thieves, and fraudsters would be punished according to law.
Justice & Human Rights Full speech → - The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri rose on a point of order. No substantive argument, proposal, or question was recorded in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake drew attention to Standing Order 33 governing supplementary questions, noting that Members may ask no more than two and that preliminary remarks before supplementaries are not provided for. He emphasized that supplementary questions must remain within the scope of the original question and be used only to clarify matters arising from the answer, and reminded the Chair that the Speaker may disallow non-compliant questions and limit the time for them.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
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