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

Sitting of Tuesday, 8 July 2025

10th Parliament· 17 debates· 194 speeches· 66 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1752482630017444 ·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.

  7. 7 Oral question Oral Question: Registered Co-operative Societies and Banks in North-Central Province (Q. 845/2025) 6 speeches
    • The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB

      AI summary Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna asked the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development for details on registered limited-liability multi-purpose co-operative societies, co-operative bank societies, and branches in the Anuradhapura District, including the methodology used to establish them. He also sought specific information on the Saubhagya Co-operative Society Ltd. and the Anuradhapura District Rural Capital Development Co-operative Society Ltd., including registration details, addresses and ownership, compliance with required co-operative formation procedures, and whether employee recruitment had approval from the North-Central Province Co-operative Employees Commission.

      Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech →
    • The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB

      AI summary The Minister provided details on registered co-operative institutions, stating that there are 178 multi-purpose co-operative societies, two co-operative bank societies, and related branches, and outlined the registration process involving legal compliance, capacity assessment, documentation, and recommendations from Co-operative Development Officers. He also gave information on the Saubhagya Co-operative Society Ltd. and the Anuradhapura District Rural Capital Development Co-operative Society Ltd., including their registration dates, numbers, and addresses, and stated that ownership rests with their members. He added that employee recruitment had been carried out by the respective Boards of Directors after interviews, with the Saubhagya society’s matter submitted to the Co-operative Employees Commission for approval.

      Agriculture Full speech →
    • The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB

      AI summary Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna questioned whether proper Central Bank financial procedures and regulations were followed in establishing the two rural banks. He challenged the prior answer that primary, secondary and tertiary structures and procedures had been complied with, citing contrary findings from his inquiries.

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

      AI summary The Minister said registration powers under the Co-operative Societies law, vested in Provincial Councils, may have been misused to establish entities operating as financial institutions under the co-operative name. He stated that investigations are examining member enrolment, elections, interim Boards, Board appointments, the source of assets exceeding Rs. 1 billion, and approvals reportedly granted by a former Governor. He also questioned whether branches opened in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa complied with the law and Central Bank regulations, citing possible money laundering concerns.

      Law & OrderCorruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB

      AI summary Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna raised concern that co-operatives, including “Saubhagya” in Sabaragamuwa, are being established for various agendas, including political purposes. He asked when the ongoing investigation report could be presented and what legal action would follow.

      AgricultureCorruption & Governance Reform Full speech →
    • The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB

      AI summary The Minister stated that a cooperative entity approved in the North-Central Province cannot use that approval to operate branches nationwide, noting reported links to Aranayake through a director. He said the North-Central Governor and Commissioner have been instructed to expedite the inquiry, with a report to be presented soon, and added that legal action would follow where gaps in cooperative law have been exploited.

      Corruption & Governance ReformLaw & Order Full speech →