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Wasantha Samarasinghe
Sri Lankan politician, trade union leader, and activist From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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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]
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Early life and education
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
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
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
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
He is the convener of the Anti-Corruption Voice Organization, focusing on exposing corruption in government administrations.
See also
References
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