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Wasantha Samarasinghe

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Wasantha Samarasinghe
වසන්ත සමරසිංහ
வசந்த சமரசிங்க
Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development
Assumed office
18 November 2024
PresidentAnura Kumara Dissanayake
Prime MinisterHarini Amarasuriya
Preceded byHarini Amarasuriya
Member of Parliament
for Anuradhapura District
Assumed office
21 November 2024
Majority251,639 Preferential votes
Member of Parliament
for National List
In office
22 April 2004 – 30 June 2008
Succeeded byVinayagamoorthy Muralitharan
Personal details
Born (1976-05-24) 24 May 1976 (age 48)
NationalitySri Lankan
Political partyJanatha Vimukthi Peramuna
Other political
affiliations
National People's Power
Alma materUniversity of Kelaniya
Websitewasanthasamarasinghe.com

Wasantha Samarasinghe is a Sri Lankan politician, trade union leader, and activist, known for his prominent roles in student politics, parliamentary representation, and labor movement advocacy. He currently serves as the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, having assumed office on 18 November 2024 under the National People's Power (NPP) government.[1][2]

Early Life and Education

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Samarasinghe completed his Advanced Level studies at Thambuththegama Central College before entering the University of Kelaniya in 1996. He graduated with a special degree in Business Management Accounting.

Student Leadership

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During his university years, Samarasinghe was a notable student leader. He served as:

  • Chairman of the Kelaniya University Student Union
  • A high-level leader in the Inter-University Student Power Council

Political Career

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In 2004, Samarasinghe was elected to the Sri Lankan Parliament representing the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP). During his tenure, he was an active member of the Parliamentary Accounts Committee. He also served as a member of the North Central Provincial Council.

In 2024, Samarasinghe was re-elected to Parliament, securing the highest number of preferential votes from the Anuradhapura District.[3]

Trade Union Activism

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Samarasinghe has been a prominent figure in Sri Lanka's trade union movement, holding key leadership positions:

  • Chairman of the Inter-Company Employees' Union
  • National Organizer at the National Trade Union Center

Anti-Corruption Work

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He is the convener of the Anti-Corruption Voice Organization, focusing on exposing corruption in government administrations.

See Also

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References

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  1. ^ "Academics, Tamils and an extremist Sinhala nationalist". Tamil Guardian. 21 November 2024. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  2. ^ "Wasantha Samarasinghe sworn in as Minister of Trade and Commerce". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
  3. ^ "Anuradhapura District Preferential Vote Results Released". Ada Derana. Retrieved 18 November 2024.