2021-07-06
News Categories : Committee News
The Consultative Committee on Defence recently agreed to present the General Sir John Kotelawala National Defence University Bill to Parliament for the second reading. Accordingly this bill is to be presented in the Parliament on 8th July.
The Committee was held under the chairmanship of Hon. State Minister of National Security & Disaster Management and State Minister of Home Affairs Chamal Rajapaksa and the participation of Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Major General (retd) Kamal Gunaratne. Former President Hon. Maithripala Sirisena, Hon. Parliamentarians Anura Priyadharshana Yapa, Tiran Alles, President's Counsel Jayantha Weerasinghe, Vice Chancellor of the General Sir John Kotelawala National Defence University were also present at this meeting.
Addressing the meeting, the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence said that the University, which was initially intended to provide University education to members of the security forces, was expanded to provide education to civilian children as instructed by H.E. the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa during his tenure as the Secretary of Defense.
The Secretary to the Ministry of Defence said that the University, which is currently producing a disciplined generation of students suitable for the job market, is highly regarded and in high demand in the society including parents and students with the completion of courses within a specified period being one main reason for this.
Major General (retd) Kamal Gunaratne also said that all these courses are organized with the highest quality and that the University will continue to work towards the realization of H.E. the President's policy of providing university education to all students who pass their Advanced Level.
“The Act on this University was initiated in the year 2009. This Bill has a history of 12 years. It was to be presented to Parliament in 2018 post having it prepared under the involvement of many scholars having it referred to the legal draftsman and to the Attorney General after conducting number of studies on it. Although the then Minister of Defense Maithripala Sirisena tried to do so, due to various reasons it was not possible at that time,” Major General (retd) Kamal Gunaratne further added.
Vice Chancellor of the General Sir John Kotelawala National Defence University, Major General Milinda Peiris addressing the committee stated that the Universities Act, which was established by an Act of Parliament in 1981 has been amended on several occasions but the university has not been given the required structure.
The Vice Chancellor said that the university, which currently has 11 faculties, was once ranked 4th among military universities. Therefore, he pointed out to the Committee that this Act is important to further develop the activities of this University and to elevate it to a higher level.
Speaking at the committee meeting, the Parliamentarians present said that the country is losing a lot of money as many talented children who do not have access to university education are tempted to study at universities in other countries. Therefore, it is very important to have the opportunity to study more quality courses at a lower cost through this university, the MP’s further stated.
2026-01-27
Decision taken to conclude investigations within three monthsSelect Committee of Parliament to look into and Report to Parliament on the release of 323 Containers from the Port of Colombo without undergoing mandatory physical inspection and submit its proposals and recommendations in that regard, has decided to meet every Wednesday at 2.00 p.m. to conduct its investigations.This decision was taken at the inaugural meeting of the Committee, held on 21.01.2026, under the Chairmanship of Hon. Minister of Justice and National Integration, Attorney-at-Law, Harshana Nanayakkara. Accordingly, the Committee is scheduled to meet again on Wednesday, 28.01.2026, at 2.00 p.m.During the meeting, a preliminary discussion was held on the manner in which the future proceedings of the Committee should be conducted and on the parties to be summoned before it. Committee Members expressed their views in this regard. The Chairman stated that the Committee expects to conclude its investigations within a period of three months.The meeting was attended by Hon. Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilaka, Hon. Deputy Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Hon. Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Attorney-at-Law Sunil Watagala, Hon. Deputy Minister of Power Arkam Ilyas and Hon. Members of Parliament Attorney-at-Law Dayasiri Jayasekara, Ajith P. Perera, D. V. Chanaka, Mujibur Rahuman, Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran and Attorney-at-Law Lakmali Hemachandra.
2026-01-27
Committee requests quality reports on coal consignments in three imported vesselsMatters relating to coal imported to Sri Lanka for electricity generation were examined at the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development.This review took place when the Committee met in Parliament recently under the Chairmanship of Hon. S. M. Marikkar, Member of Parliament.Officials from the Ministry of Power and Energy and the Lanka Coal Company (Private) Limited were summoned to attend the Committee meeting.During the meeting, the Committee sought clarifications from officials regarding the procedures followed in the coal importation process. Particular attention was paid to the procedures adopted during the most recent coal imports, and officials were questioned in detail on this matter.The Chairman of the Committee inquired whether any issues had arisen concerning the quality of the coal most recently imported into the country. In response, officials informed the Committee that samples from three coal vessels that arrived in Sri Lanka had been sent to India for quality testing, and that accurate information could be provided once the relevant reports were received.Accordingly, the matter was discussed at length during the Committee proceedings. The Chairman stated that the former Chairman of Lanka Coal (Private) Limited, who was involved in the processes related to the importation of these coal consignments, would be summoned before the Committee at its next meeting.In addition, the Chairman instructed officials to submit to the Committee, on the same day of the next meeting, the quality reports of the coal in the three vessels that arrived in Sri Lanka, as well as the laboratory reports conducted in Sri Lanka on the quality of coal contained in the most recently arrived vessel.Members of the Committee, Hon. Members of Parliament Ajith P. Perera, and Hon. Chathura Galappaththi were present at the meeting.
2026-01-26
The Committee on Public Finance express its appreciation regarding the expediting of VAT refund payments within a period of 45 daysThe delay in issuing licenses for the appointment of Authorized Persons (AP) of the Colombo Port City was discussed at the Committee on Public Finance.These matters were discussed at the meeting of the Committee on Public Finance, held on 20.01.2026 in Parliament, presided over by its Chair, Hon. Dr. Harsha de Silva, and attended by the Hon. Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe, and Hon. Members of Parliament Ravi Karunanayake, Ajith Agalakada, M.K.M. Aslam, Nimal Palihena, Chithral Fernando, Attorney at Law, Wijesiri Basnayake, Sunil Rajapaksha, Thilina Samarakoon, and Champika Hettiarachchi.According to the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act, when a company intends to engage in a business, the applicant must obtain a license to qualify and be permitted to operate as an Authorized Person within the designated area of the Colombo Port City.The Committee pointed out that 72 applications are currently pending for obtaining this registration.Officials representing the Colombo Port City Economic Commission noted that, due to the Letter of Intent signed for the Fourth Review of the IMF Programme, they were informed that this process would be suspended from 04.07.2025 onward. Therefore, these applications had not been considered.The Committee further pointed out that, as of July 2025, 54 applications had already been received, yet none had been reviewed.Responding to this, the officials further stated that amendments to the Act were expected, and there was uncertainty as to whether the procedure for carrying out this process would change. Therefore, no further action had been taken. They added that, since the Amended Act came into force on 20.01.2026, the related activities would be carried out expeditiously.At this point, the Chairman of the Committee emphasized that attracting new investments to the country is the shared objective of all, and therefore it is important that these matters be proceeded with promptly.Further, attention was drawn to the current progress of the Simplified Value Added Tax (SVAT) System.Previously, when officials appeared before the Committee in October 2025, they stated that under the VAT system, refund payments were subjected to a 100% audit, leading to delays. However, through the SVAT System, steps have been taken to minimize these delays and ensure that refunds are processed expeditiously within 45 days.Officials present noted that, as of 15 January 2026, approximately 96% of refunds had been completed, and that most of the older payments had also been settled.Based on the information presented before the Committee, it was observed that the SVAT System has achieved clear progress, and the Committee expressed its appreciation to the officials of the Department of Inland Revenue for these improvements.
2026-01-26
The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection approved the two Bills, Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) and the Judicature (Amendment) Bills.These matters were discussed at the meeting of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection, held in Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament (Dr.) Najith Indika, Chair of the Committee.At the meeting held on 09.01.2026, extensive discussions took place regarding the two Bills. Officials pointed out that several further amendments that should be included in these Bills must be referred to the Attorney General’s Department for consultation and then submitted for Cabinet approval.Accordingly, after reviewing the matters again at the Committee meeting held recently (Jan. 22), approval was granted for these Bills.Through the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) and Judicature (Amendment) Bills, the existing laws relating to the control of dangerous drug trafficking and production activities in international waters are to be amended, and new laws and regulations are to be introduced.Hon. Committee Members Tushari Jayasinghe, (Attorney-at-Law), Chandana Sooriyaarachchi, M.K.M. Aslam, and Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara were present at this meeting.
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