2021-02-23
News Categories : Committee News
The Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) directed the Secretary to the Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Conservation and its respective officials to prepare a formal plan in order to expedite the implementation of the recommendations made to resolve the human-elephant conflict which is now a grave concern in Sri Lanka. Accordingly, the COPA committee directed for a report to be submitted to Parliament within two months.
In addition to the report containing the recommendations of the special committee chaired by Dr. Prithiviraj Fernando appointed by His Excellency the President to find a solution to the existing human-elephant conflict, which has already been submitted to the President, the COPA committee also called for a review of the National Policy on the Resolution of the Elephant-Human Conflict in 2006 by a panel of experts when preparing the formal plan.
The COPA meeting which was held on the 9th of December 2020, disclosed that Sri Lanka has become a country with the highest number of elephant deaths in the world due to the human-elephant conflict. It was also revealed that Sri Lanka has the second highest number of reported human deaths in the world as a result of the ongoing human-elephant conflict. Therefore, the Committee stressed the need for immediate action with regard to the said concern.
State Ministers Hon. (Dr.) (Mrs.) Sudarshini Fernandopulle, Hon. Lasantha Alagiyawanna, and Members of Parliament Hon. Cader Mastan, Hon. (Dr.) Upul Galappaththi, Hon. Weerasumana Weerasinghe and Hon. Niroshan Perera, B.Y.G. Ratnasekera were present at the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) chaired by Prof. Tissa Vitharana.
It was pointed out that the Department of Wildlife Conservation cannot be entirely burdened with the responsibility as recommended by the report containing the recommendations of the special committee submitted to H.E. the President. It was also emphasized that the construction and maintenance of electric fences should be carried out under the collaborative efforts of the relevant Divisional Secretariats, Agrarian Services Department and the Mahaweli Authority. The recommendations also contain proposals pertaining to a community based village electric fence and an alternative electrical fencing system only applicable during the periods of cultivation.
Dr. Prithiviraj Fernando an expert in research and experience governing the human – elephant conflict, pointed out that traditional methods of chasing elephants, which is currently in operation, have failed for nearly 50 years.
The committee observed that there are areas with elephant fences which are successfully being implemented with the contribution of the community and the respective local stakeholders, and thus this problem can be minimized by adopting such successful methods in other areas as well.
Officials of the Department of Wildlife Conservation said that programs such as the construction of elephant fences, elephant proof trench digging, building beehives to deter elephants from raiding crops being implemented. While highlighting that the total number of employees in the Department of Wildlife Conservation is close to 1500, it was disclosed that there are many problems when working at the ground level as there is only a very limited number of employees to work on the fencing process.
It was also discussed that there are reports of villagers in some areas refusing to build the fence as it disrupts the boundary of their land and that in some areas there have been reports of theft of the batteries used for the electric fence.
However, the committee emphasized that by educating them the villagers, they too should be involved in the active contribution to the issues including the fencing process. The committee also called for the immediate revival of community organizations such as ‘Gajamithuro’, which are currently inactive. The committee also pointed out that the contribution of all relevant Divisional Secretariats, Grama Niladharis and other stakeholders should be sought for this purpose and highlighted the importance of working more closely with the village community.
The committee pointed out that although there are proposals in policy documents to resolve the human-elephant conflict, they are not being implemented in practice at the grassroots level.
The committee also drew attention to the recommendations not being carried out pertaining to the said issue. The improper construction of elephant reserves and elephant corridors, content pertaining to the issue not being included to the curriculum by the Ministry of Education and the construction of electric fences without proper standards were pointed out the need to execute such matters as soon as possible was also made note of.
Secretary to the Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Conservation, Secretary to the Ministry of State, Director General of the Department of Wildlife Conservation and a number of government officials were present at this meeting.
2026-09-01
The third programme in the “Voice to Policy” dialogue series, organized by the Parliamentary Caucus for Open Parliament Initiative, is scheduled to be held on September 5 at the Golden Crown Hotel in Kandy for youth in the Kandy District.The programme is being organized with the aim of further promoting the concept of an Open Parliament through the participation of young representatives. It will be held under the leadership of the Co-Chairs of the Parliamentary Caucus for Open Parliament Initiative, Hon. Minister Prof. Krishantha Abeyasena and Hon. Member of Parliament Shanakiyan Rasamanickam. Members of the Caucus, as well as Members of Parliament representing the Kandy District, are also expected to participate in the event. Through this workshop, it is expected to raise awareness among young people, in particular, about parliamentary affairs, the legislative process and the principles of an Open Parliament, while further strengthening the relationship between Parliament and citizens.Young men and women between the ages of 18 and 35 from the Kandy District who wish to participate in the workshop are required to register by completing the relevant form through the following link before 12.00 noon on September 3: https://forms.gle/aVp5UzhLbtPSmVap8Participants are also required to wear clothing without any symbols promoting a political party or political movement.The workshop series is being organized with the sponsorship support of CII (Coalition for Inclusive Impact).
2026-08-25
A special meeting was held yesterday at Parliament to discuss the future work of the Expert Panel appointed to reform Sri Lanka’s electoral system, excluding Provincial Council elections, to make it more efficient, transparent, and responsive to the expectations of the people.The discussion was held under the chairmanship of Hon. Prof. A.H.M.H. Abeyaratne, Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, who is also the Chairman of the Select Committee of Parliament to review the laws dealing with Elections (excluding laws dealing with Provincial Council Elections) and report to Parliament and submit its proposals and recommendations in that regard.The meeting included extensive discussions on the role of the Expert Panel, the matters that should be reviewed, and how the next stages of the process should be carried out.The Expert Panel is expected to conduct an in-depth review of 31 proposals submitted by the public and various organizations concerning electoral reforms and to make the necessary recommendations. Relevant studies and research conducted by the university community and research institutions will also be taken into consideration during the review process.The Panel has been given a period of two months to conduct this review. During this period, attention will be focused not only on identifying shortcomings in the existing electoral system, but also, where necessary, on making recommendations for establishing a new electoral system and electoral culture with more constructive and positive features.Accordingly, the ultimate objective of the Committee is not merely to introduce several amendments to the existing system. Rather, it is to present Parliament with a report containing the necessary policy and legislative recommendations for a more credible, democratic, and efficient electoral system that is suited to current needs and the expectations of the people.Committee members Hon. Members of Parliament Ruwanthilaka Jayakody, Attorney-at-Law Thushari Jayasinghe, and Chandima Hettiarachchi also participated in the meeting.
2026-08-25
The Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) paid special attention to the progress of investigations into financial fraud and disciplinary violations that have occurred within the Department of Posts from 2004 to 2025.This was discussed when COPA met at Parliament recently (Aug. 20), under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Kabir Hashim, to review the progress made in implementing the recommendations issued by COPA on April 7, 2026, as well as the current performance of the Department of Posts.It was revealed that a new computerized software system has been introduced to streamline the investigation process. The system is being used to update information relating to investigation files and monitor their progress. The Committee stressed the need to expedite investigations by prioritizing significant financial fraud and serious disciplinary violations, rather than spending resources on prolonged investigations into minor incidents.The meeting also discussed the fact that some investigations have remained unresolved for many years, that some individuals facing allegations have disappeared or died, that legal action in certain cases has been delayed, and that the investigation division is experiencing a shortage of human resources.The Committee further emphasized the need to complete investigations and disciplinary proceedings against officers accused of financial fraud within specified timeframes. Instructions were also given to expedite the necessary measures to recover losses from the parties responsible once investigations have been completed.The Committee also focused on the need to further strengthen financial management and internal control mechanisms within the Department of Posts.Meanwhile, the management of overtime payments within the Department of Posts was also discussed. Officials stated that steps are being taken to introduce an Optimum Cadre - the optimal number of employees - based on a work study conducted by the Department of Management Services covering all nine provinces and the Central Mail Exchange. It was noted that fingerprint machines are now being used to accurately verify employee attendance when making overtime payments. Going forward, the Department plans to use this data to further streamline the payment of overtime allowances.The modernization and digitalization of postal services also received the Committee's attention. Discussions covered plans to further expand value-added services such as Speed Post, Cash on Delivery, and International Courier, digitalize postal banking services, and increase the Department of Posts' revenue through the use of new technologies.The Committee also stressed the importance of maintaining sub-post offices in difficult-to-reach areas where they provide essential services to the public, rather than closing them as part of the restructuring of the Department of Posts' network of sub-post offices.The meeting was attended by Committee member and Hon. Deputy Minister Nalin Hewage, as well as Committee members Hon. Members of parliament Chanaka Madugoda, Oshani Umanga, Attorney-at-Law Sagarika Athauda, Manjula Suraweera Arachchi, Chandana Sooriyaarachchi, Ajanta Gammaddege, Lal Premanath, Ruwanthilaka Jayakody and Sunil Ratnasiri.
2026-08-24
The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection focused on obtaining the views and proposals of the Police Department on measures that could be taken to reduce overcrowding in prisons.At a recent meeting of the committee held at Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Dr. Najith Indika, discussions focused particularly on the Police Department’s procedures from the arrest of suspects in connection with drug-related offences through to the filing of cases, as well as on removing existing legal obstacles affecting these processes.The committee also discussed delays in proceedings relating to drug-related cases, delays in obtaining reports from the Government Analyst, and the resulting increase in the number of suspects being held in remand custody.It was emphasized that, in combating drug-related offences, it is necessary not only to arrest individuals but also to use modern technology to identify and control drug-trafficking networks and the illegal financial transactions associated with them. The need to introduce appropriate regulatory mechanisms to prevent the misuse of digital money-transfer systems operated by telecommunications companies by drug traffickers for illegal financial transactions was also highlighted.The meeting also discussed the need to strengthen community-based rehabilitation programmes as an alternative to imprisoning persons addicted to drugs, increase public participation in crime prevention, and amend existing laws to bring them in line with current requirements.Views were also expressed on the need to establish a modern forensic laboratory within the Police Department in order to expedite criminal investigations. It was pointed out that speeding up the analysis of scientific evidence could accelerate court proceedings and thereby help reduce prison overcrowding.In addition, attention was given to improving the welfare of police officers, enhancing their professional training and investigative skills, and strengthening mechanisms for evaluating police performance.Members of the committee who attended the meeting included Hon. Members of Parliament Ajith P. Perera, G.G. Ponnambalam, Mujibur Rahman, M.K.M. Aslam, Dr. Sellathamby Thilakanathan, Dharmapriya Wijesinghe, Chandana Suriyaarachchi, and Major General (Retired) G.D. Sooriyabandara.Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs D.W.R.B. Seneviratne, Inspector General of Police Attorney-at-Law Priyantha Weerasuriya, and a number of senior officers of the Police Department were also present at the meeting.
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