2021-04-23
COPE Chairman Prof. Charitha Herath yesterday (22) suspended the COPE meeting of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka, due to the absence of the President of the Federation.
Accordingly, the President and other officials of the Sri Lanka Football Federation and its former President Manilal Fernando will be summoned on May 06, the COPE Chairman said.
The committee pointed out that although 10 members were elected to the executive committee of the Football Federation, it was revealed that the chairman would appoint another 18 members to the committee.
The COPE instructed the Secretary to the Ministry of Youth and Sports to intervene immediately as this is a major problem, even though it is done in accordance with the Constitution of the Federation. Secretary to the Ministry of Youth and Sports Anuradha Wijekoon said that an order will be issued soon to prevent the appointment of 18 members by the Chairman.
The committee pointed out that the election committees to conduct elections of these sports associations are being set up by these associations themselves and therefore these activities are being carried out without any transparency.
It was revealed that Rs. 750,000 will be given to the Chairman of the Election Committee for the forthcoming election of the Football Federation and Rs. 600,000 each would be given to the other two members and this was severely criticized by the committee. It was also revealed that this situation has arisen due to the inability to oppose the decisions of the Chairman as there are 18 members appointed by the Chairman.
The Committee drew the attention to irregularities of the former chairman of the Federation Manilal Fernando in using money provided by various institutions.
Accordingly misappropriation of a sum of Euro 40,400 (nearly Rs. 6 million) which had been donated by the Italian Football Players Association to construct foot play ground in Kalutara, a sum of USD 60,000 (nearly Rs 6 million) which had been given by the Asian Football Federation for competitions, a sum of Rs. 10 million which had been given by private company to construct 20 houses for Tsunami victims and a sum of USD 200,000 which had been donated by the Asian Football Federation were discussed at the meeting.
It was also revealed that the current President of the Federation has submitted an affidavit to the court stating that no such financial irregularities have taken place in the background of the Financial Crimes Investigation Division concluding its investigations and filing cases in the courts. The committee pointed out that it was a serious matter to inform through an affidavit that it had not happened.
The COPE Chairman pointed out that the game football in the country has fallen to a very low level and it is a tragedy that despite such a large allocation of funds, it has fallen to such a low level. Therefore, the current chairman and former chairman Manilal Fernando should be summoned immediately before the COPE committee to investigate the matter, the COPE committee said.
The COPE chairman emphasized that the Ministry should always be vigilant about the role of these associations and that direct supervision should be carried out by the Ministry.
He also instructed the Secretary to the Ministry of Youth and Sports to pay more attention to associations such as the Sri Lanka Cricket and the Football Federation.
Ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Sarath Weerasekera, MPs Rauf Hakeem, Nalin Bandara, S.M. Marikkar and S. Rasamanikkam, Secretary to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Director General of the Department of Sports Development along with other officials and officials of Football Federation were present at the meeting.
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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