2021-04-22
The Secretary of Environment Dr. Anil Jasinghe stated that a Cabinet paper has already been drafted to convert the Muthurajawela Sanctuary to a National Park.
The Secretary of Environment stated the above at the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) chaired by Prof. Tissa Vitharana which was held in Parliament.
Dr. Anil Jasinghe also said that a joint committee has been appointed inclusive of all parties responsible for the conservation of the Muthurajawela Sanctuary as recommended by the previous meeting of the COPA. Furthermore, it was mentioned that the committee will be co-chaired by the Secretaries of the Ministry of Urban Development, Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Conservation.
It was emphasized at the committee that discussions have been carried out for the purpose of empowering the committee and a Cabinet paper has already been drafted. It was also emphasized that post receiving approval it can be executed that it is essential to appoint an action committee consisting of representatives of all relevant institutions and environmental organizations to assist the committee.
The COPA drew its attention to the fact that the Governor of the Western Province had passed a resolution in the Gampaha District Development Committee on January 27, 2021 stating that over 600 acres of all private lands in Muthurajawela Eco-Sensitive Zone by the Government. Accordingly, its legitimacy was discussed at the committee.
The Committee on Public Accounts also drew its attention towards the complaints received by the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation, the Central Environmental Authority, the Urban Development Authority and the Department of Agrarian Development pertaining to the unauthorized filling of lands in Muthurajawela Eco-Sensitive Zone and its failure to take formal action on a number of such complaints pertaining to the said concern.
While the Auditor General directed his attention towards the complaints received regarding unauthorized constructions taking place in the Muthurajawela Wetland Zone were not properly investigated by the relevant government agencies, he also stated that an audit inquiry is already underway regarding the recent reclamation of 06 hectares. It was also emphasized that in the absence of proper intervention by government institutions, unauthorized landfills and constructions are thus being encouraged.
Attention was drawn towards the process of making Colombo the world's first wetland capital in 2018 and the presentation of data related to the survey conducted by the Urban Development Authority on the current situation in the Muthurajawela wetland and the surrounding area on the instructions of the Prime Minister also took place at the committee. It was emphasized that 15% of the Muthurajawela Wetland Zone and Muthurajawela Sanctuary have been destroyed due to various reasons and the remaining areas are also at risk of being destroyed and therefore the conservation process should be initiated with immediate effect.
The Committee focused on the importance of protecting the Muthurajawela Wetland Zone as a Ramsar Wetland and its conversion into a National Park in accordance with the Ramsar Convention reached by Sri Lanka on 15 October 1990 whilst officials pointed out the feasibility and plan of action of the Urban Development Authority, the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation and the Department of Wildlife Conservation in working together for this purpose.
According to the Gazette Notification of Muthurajawela Sanctuary No. 947/13 of 1996, the Committee was informed by the officials that the identification and demarcation of the boundaries of the Sanctuary has already commenced. The feasibility of using the Urban Development Act to strengthen the acquisition of illegal constructions and landfills in the Muthurajawela Sanctuary was also discussed.
Chairman of the Committee Prof. Tissa Vitharana, State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara, Members of Parliament Tissa Attanayake, Niroshan Perera, S. Shritharan, B.Y.G Ratnasekera, (Dr.) Upul Galappaththi, Harini Amarasuriya and Secretary of Environment Dr. Anil Jasinghe and other official marked their presence for the committee meeting held.
2026-09-02
The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations focused its attention on the “InSA” (Integrated Systematic Approach for the Family Development of Migrant Workers) Project, which is to be implemented to ensure the welfare of families and the protection of children of workers migrating for foreign employment.The matter was discussed at a meeting of the Committee held on the Aug. 21st, under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Attorney-at-Law Lakmali Hemachandra.It was revealed at the meeting that the programme, which is to be implemented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is scheduled to commence at the Divisional Secretariat level from October 1, 2026.It was stated that the primary objective of the programme is to develop family development plans focusing on key areas including the long-term financial management of families of migrant workers, child health and protection, employment training, and small business and export development.The Committee particularly emphasized the need to establish a formal plan for the care, protection and education of children when mothers with children between the ages of 2 and 18 migrate overseas, covering the period during which the mothers are abroad. Attention was also drawn to addressing mothers with children below the age of two in accordance with the existing legal and administrative procedures.The programme is expected to obtain the contribution of Child Rights Promotion Officers, who will provide necessary interventions concerning child protection and family welfare at three stages: prior to departure overseas, while the parent is overseas, and following the family's return to Sri Lanka.Accordingly, it was stated that Child Rights Promotion Officers will intervene to ensure that alternative care plans prepared for children can be practically implemented, identify situations involving risks, and prepare special care plans where necessary. Attention will also be given to providing psychosocial support, including strengthening family relationships, to families returning to Sri Lanka after living overseas.Furthermore, “InSA Committees” are to be established at the Divisional Secretariat level. These committees are expected to work under the chairmanship of the Assistant Divisional Secretary, together with Child Rights Promotion Officers, Early Childhood Development Officers and other relevant field officers, it was stated at the Committee meeting.It was also revealed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been proposed between the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment and the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs concerning child protection-related activities.The Committee also emphasized the importance of all workers leaving the country for foreign employment registering with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment. As there may be difficulties in implementing welfare and protection programmes for the families of individuals who travel overseas through informal channels, including on tourist visas, due to the absence of official data on such persons, the Committee stressed the need to maintain a formal data system on workers departing the country for foreign employment.During the implementation of the programme, progress is to be monitored at the district level through District Secretaries. The relevant parties were instructed to submit a report on the progress of the “InSA” Project to the Committee by February 2027.
2026-09-02
The Chief of Defence Staff (Repeal) Bill was recently considered by the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection.The matter was discussed when the Committee met recently in Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Dr. Najith Indika. A group of officials, including Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha, were summoned to the meeting.The Bill has been introduced to repeal the Chief of Defence Staff Act, No. 35 of 2009. The Act was enacted in 2009 to carry out functions including the coordination of activities between the Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence, in accordance with the requirements of the time.However, considering the current situation in the country, it has been determined that there is no longer a need to maintain a dedicated office or position for the coordination of the three Armed Forces. Accordingly, under the ongoing restructuring process of the three Armed Forces, such coordination is being carried out through the Ministry of Defence.It was also observed that, given the country’s current economic situation, transferring the functions of the office to the Ministry of Defence could reduce the financial burden on the Government.Accordingly, the Sectoral Oversight Committee approved the Bill, which is scheduled to be taken up for debate in Parliament on September 9 for the Second Reading.Several Members of Parliament serving on the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection participated in the meeting.
2026-09-02
The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability emphasized the need to urgently formulate a national policy to address the human-elephant conflict, bringing together all relevant stakeholders and institutions.The Committee met recently in Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Hector Appuhamy. During the meeting, discussions were held on the research findings and policy recommendations of a project jointly implemented by the Coalition for Inclusive Impact (CII), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the Centre for Poverty Analysis (CEPA).Attention was focused on managing the human-elephant conflict, meeting the food and water requirements of wild elephants, protecting the Muthurajawela wetland ecosystem, improving the livelihoods of small-scale fishing communities, and enhancing community participation in environmental conservation.The Committee also pointed out the need for an appropriate management programme to minimize the risk of elephants entering human settlements in response to challenges relating to water sources and food resources within wild elephant habitats.Attention was also drawn to the need to expedite the declaration of six elephant corridors on a priority basis among the identified elephant corridors, improve habitats within wildlife reserves, and strengthen awareness programmes for local communities.Meanwhile, discussions were held on the need to properly survey and demarcate State-owned lands within the Muthurajawela wetland ecosystem, as well as strengthen coordination among relevant institutions to prevent unauthorized activities.The Committee also focused on the challenges faced by small-scale fishing communities and possible measures that could be taken to strengthen their livelihoods.The Committee further emphasized the need to take measures based on scientific research and data to address environmental issues, including the human-elephant conflict; strengthen coordination among relevant government institutions; and study successful approaches that are suitable for Sri Lanka.Several officials and Committee members, including Hon. Members of Parliament Kings Nelson, Susanta Kumara Nawarathna, Kitnan Selvaraj, Attorney-at-Law Chithral Fernando, Attorney-at-Law Bhagya Sri Herath, Sudath Balagalla, and M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani, participated in the meeting.
2026-09-02
The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development instructed relevant officials to take immediate steps to implement the national-level programme formulated to control water pollution in the Diyawanna Oya and the water bodies surrounding the Parliament premises, following approval by the Cabinet of Ministers.The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development met in Parliament under the chairmanship of its member, Hon. Member of Parliament Ajith P. Perera. The Committee considered the final report of the task force appointed to investigate the discoloration of the water in Diyawanna Oya.The report identified the discharge of domestic wastewater, commercial and industrial waste into the water system surrounding Diyawanna Oya and Parliament as the main sources of pollution. It has proposed a three-phase management plan comprising short-, medium- and long-term measures.Accordingly, the plan focuses on identifying and controlling locations where waste is directly discharged into waterways, preventing solid waste from entering waterways, establishing wastewater treatment systems, and continuously monitoring water quality.The Committee also stressed the need to improve sanitation facilities in low-income settlements, enforce the law against individuals and institutions that illegally dispose of waste, and strengthen coordination among the relevant government institutions.The Committee further emphasized the need to treat this programme as a national priority and implement it expeditiously after obtaining Cabinet approval.Committee members, Hon. Members of Parliament Manjula Suraveera Arachchi, Ravindra Bandara, Chathura Galappaththi, Shantha Padma Kumara Subasinghe, Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana, Dhanushka Ranganath and Jagath Vithana, also participated in the meeting.
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