2021-02-16
News Categories : Committee News
Though the country’s foreign policy may have debates within, Hon. Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena pointed out that everyone must unite under one voice when representing the country internationally.
The Minister stated that manycountry’s including our neighboring country India represent their nation in one voice when in international platforms despite differences domestically.
Accordingly, the Minister also stated that he is hopeful that all parties will unite in representing the country’s foreign policy internationally as one nation.
The Minister stated the above on the 12th of February 2021 addressing the Consultative Committee on Foreign Ministry.
At the Committee, when taking up the last meeting progress regarding the repatriation of Sri Lankan refugees in India, a concern raised by Hon. Member of Parliament Charles Nirmalanathan, the Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage stated that there are number of camps for asylum seekers in India.
He stated that more than 50,000 asylum seekers are in the camps of Tamil Nadu. He also pointed out that there are also people outside these camps whilst measures have been taken to repatriate considerable number back to Sri Lanka.
Whilst stating that the Indian Government is providing the refugees located within the camps for food, shelter, medication, education and the basic needs and welfare and is also being monitored by the Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission in Chennai. The matter is also being followed on a priority basis by the Foreign Ministry amidst the COVID-19 pandemic situation. In light of the situation, Hon. (Dr.) Suren Raghavan thanked the Foreign Minister’s efforts.
The Minister Dinesh Gunawardena also announced to the committee that in accordance with the proposal made by the Ministry, approval has been granted for the establishment of embassies in Spain, Romania. In addition, approval has also been granted for the establishment of a consulate general office in Madagascar and to establish diplomatic relations in Liechtenstein.
When inquired regarding the progress governing the presence of Indian fishing vessels in the Sri Lankan waters and its impact upon the local fishermen, the Minister stated that a special discussion will continue with the Indian embassy and in resolving the matter.
The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Foreign chaired by Hon. Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena was attended by the Hon. State Minister Tharaka Balasuriya and Hon. Members of Parliament Harsha de Silva, Dilan Perera, Dr. Suren Raghavan, Chandima Weerakkody, Gamini Waleboda, Yadamini Gunawardena, Charles Nirmalanathan, Sivagnanam Shritharan, Diana Gamage, Shanakiyan Rasamanickam and many officials of the Foreign Ministry.
2026-06-19
The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Environment focused its attention on the issue of water pollution in the Kelani River when it met in Parliament recently (10th June) under the chairmanship of the Hon. Minister of Environment, Dr. Dammika Patabendi.During the meeting, the Committee was briefed on the progress of discussions being held with companies that have expressed willingness to invest in a project aimed at cleaning the waters of the Kelani River.The Committee also discussed a number of proposals and other issues raised by Hon. Members of Parliament.The meeting was attended by Hon. Members of Parliament and officials.
2026-06-18
A meeting of the Women Parliamentarians Caucus was held in Parliament recently to discuss the importance of incorporating Gender-Responsive Budgeting into Sri Lanka’s national budget formulation process and to examine the challenges associated with its implementation.The meeting was chaired by the Chairperson of the Caucus and Hon. Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Saroja Savithri Paulraj. Hon. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya also participated in the discussion.A key concern raised during the discussion was the lack of adequate data and indicators to accurately assess and measure women’s economic contributions within the budgetary process. Drawing on examples of approaches adopted in India and other countries, members of the Caucus underscored the need to identify and address existing systemic and technical gaps in Sri Lanka’s budgeting framework.The Caucus also emphasized the importance of disaggregating data by gender in project reporting and strengthening digital data management systems to support such efforts. It was further noted that identifying relevant gender-related considerations at the initial stages of project design and implementation at the ministerial level would facilitate more effective project analysis, monitoring, and evaluation of outcomes.The need to move away from existing traditional and time-consuming methods towards formal online systems and data-driven analytical tools was also emphasized.The current progress and challenges in integrating Gender-Responsive Budgeting into Sri Lanka’s public financial policy were discussed in detail during the meeting.It was also emphasized that such budgeting should not be limited to nominal percentages in documents, but that the need to establish a formal framework and data system to ensure it has a real and practical impact was also highlighted.The Hon.Deputy Chairperson of Committees Hemalee Weerasekera, Hon. Deputy Minister Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne, Co-Vice Chairpersons of the Caucus, Hon. Members of Parliament Chamindrani Kiriella, Attorney at Law and Samanmalee Gunasinghe, Hon. Members of Parliament Thushari Jayasinghe, Attorney at Law, Krishnan Kaleichelvi, Sagarika Athauda ,Attorney at Law, Nilanthi Kottahachchi, Attorney at Law, Ambika Samivel and Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney at Law, along with a group of officials from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, also participated in the event.
2026-06-17
The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government met recently (Jun. 12) at Parliament under the chairmanship of the Hon. Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, Prof. A.H.M.H. Abayarathna.During the meeting, Members of Parliament discussed a range of issues and proposals relating to their respective electorates, as well as several other matters of public importance.Hon. Members of Parliament and officials were present at the meeting.
2026-06-17
The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs met recently (Jun. 09) at Parliament under the chairmanship of the Hon. Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi.During the meeting, Members of Parliament discussed a number of proposals and issues, including reviewing the progress of discussions initiated with the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education and the Department of Examinations regarding the formulation of regulations to prevent the conduct of private tuition classes on Sunday mornings, thereby facilitating the holding of Dhamma School classes on Sundays.The meeting was attended by Hon. Deputy Ministers, Hon. Members of Parliament and officials.
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