2022-03-29
News Categories : Committee News
Hon. (Dr.) Keheliya Rambukwella, Minister of Health stated that they will continue to educate and motivate the public to get the COVID 19 booster vaccine. The Minister stated this at the meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Health held in Parliament recently (22), Commenting on a proposal made by Hon. (Dr.) Upul Galappaththi, Member of Parliament.
Speaking further, the Minister said that the Ministry of Health has been conducting public awareness campaigns for the booster vaccine. He pointed out that the intervention of the political authorities in the vaccination process had caused some problems in the early days but now the vaccination has been very successful due to the support of the political authorities in some areas.
The Minister also said that there was a delay in vaccination due to some organized groups were of the view to not to take the booster vaccine. The Minister of Health further stated that the vaccination could be successful if all media channels, the public sector and the political authorities work together in this regard.
The Members of Parliament pointed out that there is a problem in determining the seniority of the medical officers when there are several medical officer divisions in one municipal area. When several medical officers serve in one municipal area it was emphasized that there is a problem when it comes to decision making in consideration of the public interest.
Commenting on the development of the Bandarawela Hospital as a base hospital, the Secretary to the Ministry stressed that there is a problem in developing the Bandarawela Hospital as a base hospital despite having two hospitals at Diyatalawa and Badulla. The Minister of Health stated that action will be taken on the matter soon.
The dilapidated condition of the CT scanner at the Matara General Hospital was also discussed. The Hon. (Dr.) Keheliya Rambukwella, Minister of Health stated that action will be taken on the matter soon.
It was discussed at this meeting that due to the use of the upper floor of the Bandaragama Osu Sala by the Bandaragama Hospital, a problem has arisen in storing medicine. The Members of Parliament requested the Minister to return the upper floor of the building to the Osu Sala, which was obtained by agreeing to hand over the hospital post construction. The Minister agreed to find a solution in consultation with the Governor of the Western Province.
It was also discussed that there is a huge shortage of nursing staff in the Jaffna Teaching Hospital. There was also a lengthy discussion on filling existing vacancies and creating new vacancies in the recruitment of persons for the nursing staff.
Hon. (Dr.) (Mrs.) Sudarshini Fernandopulle, State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID Disease Control, Hon. Sisira Jayakody, State Minister of Indigenous Medicine Promotion, Rural and Ayurvedic Hospitals Development and Community Health, Hon. (Prof.) Channa Jayasumana, State Minister of Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals, Members of Parliament and Dr. Asela Gunawardena, Director General of Health and officials were present at this event.
2026-06-25
The report submitted by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka to the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) regarding the disappearance of USD 2.5 million that had been held by the Treasury for the repayment of state debt was discussed at a recent meeting of the Committee.The meeting was held in Parliament on the 23rd June under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Dr. Harsha de Silva, with the participation of Hon. Deputy Ministers Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne, and Nishantha Jayaweera, as well as Hon. Members of Parliament Attorney-at-Law Rauff Hakeem, Ravi Karunanayake, Harshana Rajakaruna, Ajith Alahakoon, Nimal Palihena, Attorney-at-Law Chithral Fernando, Wijesiri Basnayake, Champika Hettiarachchi, M.K.M. Aslam, and Attorney-at-Law Lakmali Hemachandra.The report submitted by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to the Committee on Public Finance on the 8th regarding the disappearance of USD 2.5 million was subsequently examined by officials of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. Following this review, the Central Bank submitted a report containing its observations and views to the Committee.Extensive discussions were held on the report presented by the Central Bank. The Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance stated that, after considering both the report submitted by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and the report submitted by the Central Bank, a final report would be prepared and presented to Parliament in due course.Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development; Varuna Sri Dhanapala, Secretary to the Ministry of Digital Economy; Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and officials of the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (CERT) were also preset at the meeting.
2026-06-23
The Department of the Public Trustee was summoned before the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) to examine the Auditor General's triennial report for the years 2021–2023, matters raised in the Auditor General’s Report for 2024 and the Department’s current performance. The discussion took place when COPA met recently in Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Kabir Hashim.During the meeting, the Chairman inquired about the implementation of a recommendation made at the Committee’s meeting in May 2024. The recommendation requested a report containing details of the various avenues through which the Department receives assets, the dates on which those assets were received, the parties that transferred them, and the conditions attached to such transfers.Officials informed the Committee that the relevant report had been submitted. The Committee further recommended that a report on the number of trusts and properties currently held by the Department of the Public Trustee be provided.The Committee also questioned officials regarding the tender process to lease 113 acres of land belonging to the Harry Hapugoda property in Suduvelipotha, Baddegama, Galle. Officials stated that a bid exceeding the assessed value of the property had been received. It was also revealed that portions of the land are being occupied without authorization by various parties.Attention was further drawn to the maintenance of the Richmond Castle building. Officials informed the Committee that modernization and renovation work is expected to commence in July. Committee members also observed that although the coconut harvest from the estate is satisfactory, the property is not being maintained adequately.The meeting was attended by committee member and Hon. Deputy Minister of Vocational Education Nalin Hewage, along with Hon. Members of Parliament and committee members Chanaka Madugoda, J.C. Alawathuwala, Oshani Umanga, Sagarika Athauda (Attorney-at-Law), T.K. Jayasundara, Chandana Suriyaarachchi, Ajantha Gammeddage, Lal Premanath, Ruwanthilaka Jayakody and Sunil Ratnasiri.
2026-06-23
The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education met recently in Parliament under the chairmanship of the Hon. Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. During the meeting, Hon. Members of Parliament raised a range of current issues affecting the education sector.The Committee discussed several matters, including the need to introduce a standardized plan and model for primary school construction, administrative issues in assisted schools, teacher transfer-related concerns, the progress of school construction projects at the provincial level, challenges within the vocational education sector and future development plans.Following discussions with relevant officials, the Hon. Prime Minister instructed them to take immediate action to address the issues raised and to implement the necessary measures without delay.The Committee also reviewed the progress of the subcommittees established under the Ministerial Consultative Committee.The meeting was attended by the Hon. Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education, Dr. Madhura Seneviratne, the Hon. Deputy Minister of Vocational Education, Nalin Hewage, a group of Hon. Members of Parliament and officials including the Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, Mr. Nalaka Kaluwewa.
2026-06-19
The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Environment focused its attention on the issue of water pollution in the Kelani River when it met in Parliament recently (10th June) under the chairmanship of the Hon. Minister of Environment, Dr. Dammika Patabendi.During the meeting, the Committee was briefed on the progress of discussions being held with companies that have expressed willingness to invest in a project aimed at cleaning the waters of the Kelani River.The Committee also discussed a number of proposals and other issues raised by Hon. Members of Parliament.The meeting was attended by Hon. Members of Parliament and officials.
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