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Sri Lanka
10th Parliament· 154 sittings on record · 30,475 speeches · latest 10 June 2026

Sitting of Wednesday, 5 March 2025

10th Parliament· 13 debates· 237 speeches· 102 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1742473561091594 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard

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Order of business

Speeches load per item. Summaries shown here are AI-generated and labelled; verbatim text is on each speech page.

  6. 6 Oral question Oral Question: Substandard Coconut Oil (Q.3/2025) 6 speeches
    • The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB

      AI summary Asked the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development whether substandard coconut oil unfit for consumption has been found in the market, how it enters supply chains, what tactics are used, and what measures are being taken to prevent its sale. He also sought reasons why quality coconut oil is not reaching consumers, and requested details of the problems faced by small and medium-scale oil mill owners and proposed solutions.

      AgriculturePublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB

      AI summary Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that the Consumer Affairs Authority has detected substandard coconut oil unfit for consumption, citing adulteration, poor production and storage practices, unsafe reuse of containers, inadequate labelling, and reprocessing of used oil as common problems. He said the Government has issued Gazette notifications under the Consumer Affairs Authority Act, is working with the Coconut Development Authority and Ministry of Health, and conducts raids and sample testing to address quality and traceability issues. He also outlined challenges faced by small and medium oil mill owners, including raw material shortages, price volatility, rising costs, limited credit access, environmental compliance burdens, low innovation, and competition from imported oil sold as local, adding that policy and regulatory measures are being pursued through relevant ministries.

      Cost of LivingPublic FinanceAgriculture Full speech →
    • The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB

      AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri asked the Minister what measures would be taken to address the release of substandard coconut oil, particularly consignments contaminated with aflatoxin. Referring to past Opposition allegations about racketeers involved in such imports, he sought specific action beyond traditional enforcement methods to identify, punish, and end long-running frauds in the sector.

      Corruption & Governance ReformPublic FinanceJustice & Human Rights Full speech →
    • The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB

      AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe said fraudulent practices in coconut oil imports, including companies closing and reopening under new names to avoid accountability, had been identified. He stated that the Ports Authority and Customs are taking measures to prevent such consignments entering the country and that amendments to the Consumer Affairs Authority Act are being prepared to strengthen legal action and impose tougher penalties.

      Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Full speech →
    • The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB

      AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri questioned the Government’s response to alleged corruption and fraud, including an oil-related scam raised by MP Marikkar. He argued that proposals alone were insufficient and called for clear legal action against those responsible for frauds said to have contributed to national bankruptcy. He urged the Government to introduce any necessary amendments to strengthen the law and inform Parliament how it intends to end such rackets.

      Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB

      AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe acknowledged gaps in import regulation, including missing HS codes and inadequate testing protocols, and said legal amendments are being prepared, particularly to strengthen consumer protection through revisions to the Consumer Affairs Authority Act. He stated that Customs testing would be improved, investigations into locally refined imported coconut oil are ongoing, and committees are working on standards, import quality, and market protection measures to be brought before Parliament.

      Public FinanceJustice & Human Rights Full speech →