2022-03-14
Hon. (Prof.) Charitha Herath, Chairman of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) directed the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) to expedite the amendment of the Marine Pollution Prevention Act, No. 35 of 2008 to strengthen the legal authority of the institution which has a major responsibility to protect the marine environment of the country.
Officials of the authority stated that work is currently underway on the matter. As the amendment to this Act is an urgent need, COPE made recommendations to Mr. L.L.A. Wijesiri, Secretary State Ministry of Coast Conservation & Low-Lying Lands Development and its officials to attend to it without further delay. Furthermore, the Committee was of the notion that the role of the Legal Division, including its Legal Manager should be expanded as an institution involved in legal matters and therefore, if there are any internal problems, they should be resolved and immediate action should be taken, the Committee further instructed the Chairman of the Marine Environment Protection Authority, Attorney-at-Law Ms. Darshani Lahandapura.
There was also a lengthy discussion on the charges to be levied on the MT New Diamond shipwreck in September 2020 off the northeast coast. It was revealed that a sum of Rs. 12 million had been recovered under sections 26 and 38 of the Act. However, it was disclosed that although the estimated value under Section 34 of the Act is Rs. 3480 million, the amount has not been received yet. It was further disclosed that an amount of Rs. 51.3 million had been received in response for the ship's fire and oil spill in particular.
This estimate of Rs. 3480 million is an estimate obtained through a committee of experts to repair the damage caused to the environment under civil liability. The report has been submitted to the Attorney General's Department and will be discussed in the future, the Acting General Manager of the Authority Mr. Jagath Gunasekera said. The Committee emphasized the need to liaise with the Attorney General's Department to prevent these delays and to recover the money due to the country as soon as possible.
The Committee pointed out that the Legal Manager of the Authority should be more involved in these matters. The chairperson of the Marine Environment Protection Authority said that the file related to the accident of the MT New Diamond ship was lost after being handed over to the Legal Manager. When the committee inquired about this from the Legal Manager, she denied that such an incident had taken place and said that the chances of her even attending these meetings were slim. The COPE Chairman recommended to the Secretary to the State Ministry to conduct an immediate inquiry and submit a report as such internal issues are a major obstacle to the progress of the Authority.
There was also a lengthy discussion on the issue of compensation for the MV X-Press Pearl shipwreck near the Port of Colombo in May 2021. The Committee also made note that the amount received was significantly less than the values assessed under the Civil Liability Act. Although it was estimated that US $ 44 million was to be obtained under the Civil Liability Act, the Committee questioned at length as to why only US $ 6 million had been received so far and the Members of Parliament stressed that discussions should be held to obtain the maximum amount of compensation which is due to the country. The committee also drew attention to the fact that out of the expenditure of Rs. 823 million for cleaning and other activities, Rs. 18 million was spent on accommodation. The Committee also directed that a proper audit of these expenditures be carried out and a report be submitted. Instructions were also given to recover the money which is due from the shipping company within a specified time frame. The COPE Chairman also recommended that the Ministry prepare a plan in this regard and inform the Board of Directors of its progress by way of a monthly report.
The committee also noted the 10-year delay in taking legal action against the ship "Thermophile" that sank in 2012. The officials said that all the necessary information has been provided to the Attorney General's Department. The COPE Chairman recommended to the Secretary to the Ministry that the Attorney General's Department prepare an immediate intervention plan to prevent delays in taking legal action and submit a report to the COPE.
Disposal of large quantities of pollutants into the ocean from Modara and Wellawatte in the Colombo District was also discussed. The COPE Chairman Hon. (Prof.) Charitha Herath recommended to the Secretary to the Ministry to look into this and submit a report within three months.
The COPE chairman inquired as to why the two posts of General Manager of the Authority and Director of Finance and Administration remain as acting posts. The COPE chairman advised that necessary interviews be conducted and recruitments be made as it was not a favorable situation.
The Chairman also instructed the Secretary to the Ministry of State to work with the Department of Management Services to prepare a proper plan for all these posts again as both the administrative and financial management divisions are under one person and it is problematic.
The COPE expressed its displeasure over the holding of two meetings of the Authority's Audit and Management Committee for the years 2020 and 2021 and stressed the importance of holding these meetings properly in the future.
State Ministers Hon. Indika Anuruddha, Hon. Nalaka Godahewa, Parliamentarians Hon. (Dr.) Susil Premajayantha, Hon. Eran Wickramaratne, Hon. Nalin Bandara, Hon. Madhura Withanage, Hon. Shanakiyan Rasamanickam and officials from the Marine Environment Protection Authority were also present at the occasion.
2026-09-03
The Committee on Ways and Means of Parliament recently reviewed the operations of Sri Lanka Customs, including its revenue performance. The matter was considered when the Committee met recently under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Wijesiri Basnayake.Officials, including the Director General of Customs, informed the Committee that the expected Customs revenue as of June 30, 2026, was Rs. 1,060,559 million, while actual revenue collected by that date amounted to Rs. 1,379,084 million. This represented 130% achievement against the expected revenue target. Officials further informed the Committee that Customs had generated revenue exceeding the monthly targets in every month of the year to date, and that, compared with 2025, higher revenue performance had been recorded in each month.Providing information on vehicle imports in 2026, officials stated that 316,000 vehicles had been imported as of June 30, 2026, generating Rs. 512,547 million in tax revenue. According to the information presented to the Committee, the highest amount of tax revenue, Rs. 386,726 million, had been generated through the importation of motor vehicles.Furthermore, among the categories of commodities generating the highest Customs revenue, petrol motor cars less than 1,000cc ranked first, generating Rs. 137.4 billion. This represented 9.96% of total revenue.The Committee also focused on matters including the volume of imported containers and the procedures followed for their inspection, the introduction of modern technology to improve the efficiency of Sri Lanka Customs operations, challenges in revenue administration, and future plans.Several Members of the Committee on Ways and Means, together with officials representing the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and Sri Lanka Customs, participated in the Committee meeting.
2026-09-03
The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs focused its attention on a number of matters relating to ensuring public security, curbing illegal activities, and enhancing the efficiency of the police service.This was discussed when the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs met in Parliament on the Aug. 21st, under the chairmanship of Hon. Minister Ananda Wijepala.The Committee paid particular attention to measures taken by the Police to combat cybercrime, illegal online gambling activities and fraud. Officials stated that steps had been taken to block websites associated with illegal gambling and other unlawful activities.It was also revealed that legal action had been taken against foreign nationals residing in Sri Lanka who were engaged in illegal activities related to cybercrime. Officials further stated that arrangements had been made to deport such foreign nationals in coordination with the embassies of the respective countries.Officials appearing before the Committee stated that steps had been taken to recruit software engineers and lawyers to strengthen the human resources required for cybercrime investigations, particularly in terms of technical and legal expertise. They also noted that arrangements were being made to provide newly recruited officers with field training as well as the necessary overseas training.Discussions were also held on the need to introduce new technological systems and establish a centralized system capable of operating in real time in order to make investigations into cybercrime and financial fraud more efficient. It was particularly noted that necessary coordination measures were being undertaken to minimize existing barriers to sharing data with foreign institutions in relation to crimes involving the use of cryptocurrencies.Furthermore, extensive discussions were held on the current status of information received through Community Security Committees, measures to prevent sensitive information received through these committees from being disclosed externally, and further strengthening community policing services.In addition, the Committee emphasized the importance of expediting police investigations to curb illegal activities while upholding the rule of law, making greater use of modern technology, and obtaining further public support.A number of officials, together with Members of the Committee, participated in the Committee 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.
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