Speakers

Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe is a distinguished statesman, trade unionist, and public servant, currently serving as the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Co-operative Development in the Government of Sri Lanka. With more than two decades of impactful service in governance, labor rights, and social development, he is widely respected for his principled leadership and deep commitment to equity, transparency, and economic justice. 

He holds a Bachelor of Business Management (Accountancy) Special Degree from the University of Kelaniya (1999–2002), where his leadership journey began. As a student, he served as Treasurer of the Faculty Student Union, Secretary (1999–2000) and later President (2000–2001) of the University Student Council, followed by his role as Acting Convener of the Inter-University Student Federation (2001–2002). These formative experiences cemented his commitment to public service and social activism. 

Upon graduation, he entered active politics, reflecting a deep sense of responsibility toward the country’s socio-economic transformation, marking the start of a dedicated career in national and provincial leadership. He was elected to the North Central Provincial Council in 2008, serving until 2017, where he led key initiatives in grassroots development and public service reform, especially in rural economic empowerment and cooperative-based infrastructure.  

During this period, he also served as a long-standing member of the National Labour Advisory Council (2004–2024), contributing meaningfully to the formulation of national labor policy and advocating for balanced, inclusive frameworks that advance the rights and welfare of Sri Lanka’s workforce while supporting sustainable economic growth. 

He was first elected to Parliament in 2004 and served until 2008, before being re-elected in 2011—a position he continues to hold. Throughout his tenure, he has been a resolute advocate for social welfare, labor rights, and progressive economic reform. Beyond his parliamentary role, he has emerged as a prominent national figure in the fight against corruption, serving since 2011 as the Convener of the Voice Against Corruption (VAC). Under his leadership, VAC has become one of Sri Lanka’s most influential social movements, actively confronting bribery and abuse of power, while championing transparency, institutional accountability, and clean governance across all sectors of public life.