2022-05-05
The COPE chairman Hon. (Prof.) Charitha Herath making a recommendation to Mr. Sujeewa Rajapakse, Chairman of People’s Bank stated to submit a full report within a month regarding the companies in the private sector which were granted loans worth of Rs. 54 billion, that are currently in the status of non-performing, how it was evaluated and the persons involved in giving such approval. The COPE chairman stated that that this information will also be published in the forthcoming COPE report.
The aforesaid recommendations were made by the COPE chair during the summoning of the People's Bank before the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) to examine the Auditor General's reports for the financial years 2018 and 2019 and its current performance.
In a context where small and medium enterprises (SMEs) sometimes have to put in a lot of effort to get a bank loan, it is observed that large loans of up to Rs. 2, 3, 4 billion, etc. have been given and it should be disclosed how these companies were approved without having the ability to repay or adequately mortgaging the property, the committee members stated. The Members also pointed out that in the future when loans are given, it should be done in a more systematic manner with a sense of responsibility when handling national wealth.
The committee focused on the handing over of a used vehicle to a former General Manager of the People's Bank at a very low estimation when he retired in 2019. It was revealed that this car which was purchased for Rs. 16.6 million on 27.04.2015 has been transferred to the former General Manager in 2019 at an estimation of Rs. 113,698.
Mr. Ranjith Kodituwakku, the General Manager of the People’s Bank said that handing over of a vehicle that has been used by the General Manager for more than a year is usually the practice and in terms of market value considering depreciation over the time used the said transfer had been done.
The committee inquired how a vehicle purchased for approximately Rs. 16 million was estimated to be worth Rs. 113,698 when transferring. The General Manager said that the bank's policy of handing over vehicles has been changed and now, it has been decided to give this opportunity only to those who have held the post of General Manager or Deputy General Manager for more than 25 years.
The COPE Chairman pointed out that the expenditure of national wealth should be reconsidered and that this process, which is currently being carried out only with the permission of the Board of Directors, should be carried out only with special permission, and recommended Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Mahinda Siriwardana, to intervene immediately regarding the situation. Accordingly, he recommended that guidelines be prepared for such activities which are carried out only with the permission of the Board of Directors for the banking system under the Secretary and necessary action be taken in the future.
Meanwhile, it was revealed that a Data Ware House project launched in 2015 at a cost of nearly Rs. 402 million could not be used as expected. It was also discussed that the head of the IT division appointed by the then Chairman of the People's Bank who introduced this project was a former employee of the company which carried out this project. It was also revealed that no feasibility study has been done for this and the committee pointed out that spending nearly Rs. 402 million on a project without any results is a serious situation. Therefore, the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance was instructed to conduct a formal inquiry at the Ministry level. In addition, Prof. Charitha Herath recommended to the Auditor General, W.P.C. Wickramaratne and the National Audit Office to conduct a special audit and submit a report.
It was also revealed that companies owned by a member of the Board of Directors were given loans and the loans have been transferred to the non-performing loan category. As at 31.12.2019, the total loan amount due, was Rs. 4.2 billion. People's Bank officials said that an investigation has been launched through the CID on this regard.
Minister Hon. (Dr.) Nalaka Godahewa, State Minister Hon. Indika Anuruddha, Members of Parliament Hon. Mahinda Amaraweera, Hon. Jagath Pushpakumara, Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Hon. Patali Champika Ranawaka, Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva, Hon. (Dr.) Sarath Weerasekera, Hon. Eran Wickramaratne, Hon. Jayantha Samaraweera, Hon. S. M. Marikkar, hon. Shanakiya Rasamanickam, Hon. Madhura Withanage and Hon. Premnath C. Dolawatte and Auditor General, Mr. W.P.C. Wickramaratne, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Mahinda Siriwardana, Mr. Sujeewa Rajapakse, Chairman of People’s Bank, Mr. Ranjith Kodituwakku, the General Manager of the People’s Bank were present at this meeting held.
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.
Handbook of Parliament
The System of Elections in Sri Lanka
How Parliament Works
Business of Parliament
Copyright © The Parliament of Sri Lanka.
All Rights Reserved.
Design & Developed by TekGeeks
