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

Sitting of Thursday, 5 March 2026

10th Parliament· 19 debates· 226 speeches· 65 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 23375 ·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.

  10. 10 Oral question Oral Question: Injustice to Gampaha SANASA Depositors (Q.8) 8 speeches
    • The Hon. Lasith Bhashana Gamage JJB

      AI summary Lasith Bhashana Gamage asked the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development whether he was aware of problems affecting depositors of the Gampaha Sanasa Bank. He sought details on the number of affected depositors, the total amount deposited, the actions taken by the Department of Co-operative Development on their behalf, and the progress of those actions, with reasons requested if the information could not be provided.

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

      AI summary The Minister responded to a question on the Limited Gampaha District Federation of Co-operative Thrift and Credit Societies, stating that 376 member depositors and 3,937 external depositors are affected, with deposits totaling about Rs. 3.035 billion. He outlined actions taken, including special and statutory audits, referrals to the CID and Bribery Commission, an inquiry under the Western Province Co-operative Statute, charge sheets against 16 committee members, and seven-year disqualifications imposed on 14 members. He added that advice has been sought from the Attorney General and further action will proceed accordingly, including possible action under the Public Property Act.

      Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Lasith Bhashana Gamage JJB

      AI summary Hon. Lasith Bhashana Gamage raised concerns about the SANASA society in the Gampaha District, citing around 200 depositor complaints, filed cases, and unpaid deposits linked to unlawful investments. He argued that the Department of Co-operative Development failed in early supervision and called for concrete action beyond correspondence, while also stating that previous political interference contributed to the collapse.

      Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Lasith Bhashana Gamage JJB

      AI summary Lasith Bhashana Gamage urged the Minister to ensure more active involvement by the Department of Co-operative Development on behalf of aggrieved depositors. He asked what steps the Ministry could take to expedite the Department’s intervention in the matter.

      Public Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB

      AI summary Funds invested in the SANASA bank belong to members of 379 Gampaha District societies and a wider network, involving about Rs. 3,000 million, with alleged irregularities occurring between 2010 and 2019. The Minister stated that action is being taken against 16 committee members and acknowledged failures by co-operative authorities, including inadequate audits and delayed legal action. He said 68 lending co-operative societies, mainly in the Western Province, are in financial crisis, and that investigations and interventions are being expedited through the Western Province Co-operative Commissioner on the Attorney General’s advice.

      Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Full speech →
    • The Hon. Lasith Bhashana Gamage JJB

      AI summary Hon. Lasith Bhashana Gamage asked the Minister about reported obstacles faced by the Department of Co-operative Development in acting on issues involving SANASA societies and related bodies, citing gaps and powers under the Co-operative Societies Act. He requested an update on the status of proposed amendments to the Act, previously discussed in Parliament.

      Law & OrderPublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB

      AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe said the co-operative sector is governed through both national-level and provincial frameworks following the 13th Amendment, with some provincial interim constitutions causing difficulties for members. He stated that a Cabinet-approved committee is reviewing amendments to both central and provincial co-operative laws, particularly relating to co-operative banks and societies. Draft bills have been prepared, and the Government intends to bring the amendments this year to protect co-operative enterprises, members’ rights, and strengthen the sector.

      Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionPublic FinanceLaw & Order Full speech →