2022-06-20
News Categories : Committee News
The Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) directed its focus on the use of information technology by the Department of Import and Export Control and other government institutions that can contribute more towards government revenue.
Attention on this regard was drawn at the Committee on Public Accounts which met under the chairmanship of Hon. Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Member of Parliament recently (16).
The chairman of COPA is Hon. (Prof.) Tissa Vitarana, Member of Parliament.
Officials representing the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization & National Policies, the Excise Department of Sri Lanka, the Department of External Resources, the Department of Import and Export Control and Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) were present before this Committee held. Discussions focused on ICTA developing and advising on software for other departments and ministries.
The main focus of this discussion was on ICTA's involvement in the development of the licensing process of the Department of Imports and Exports, the computer program for integration of institutions and the development of the Revenue Administration Management System.
Discussions were held on the launch of the Institutional Integration Computer Program 2015 related to the licensing process of the Department of Imports and Exports, which is still in an unsuccessful state. Hon. Lasantha Alagiyawanna stated that he could not be satisfied with the role of the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) in the development of this software. He further stated that ICTA does not provide any intervention or assistance to government institutions, especially those who do not have the knowledge to develop computer programs. He also said that this institution has the responsibility of equipping government institutions with information technology and integrating it with new technology.
There was also a discussion on the inability of the Inland Revenue Department to implement the Integrated Computer Program (RAMIS) for tax collection.
In addition, projects prepared by ICTA in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Excise Department and the External Resources Department were also taken into discussion.
Accordingly, COPA finally recommended that the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) submit a report by July 1st on the software developed for government agencies, the government agencies that advised and their current status.
Hon. (Dr.) Sudarshini Fernandopulle, Hon. Tissa Attanayake, Hon. Mohomad Muzammil, Hon. Duminda Dissanayake, Hon. Niroshan Perera, Hon. (Dr.) Upul Galappaththi and Hon. Weerasumana Weerasinghe were present at the committee meeting held.
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.
2026-06-18
A meeting of the Women Parliamentarians Caucus was held in Parliament recently to discuss the importance of incorporating Gender-Responsive Budgeting into Sri Lanka’s national budget formulation process and to examine the challenges associated with its implementation.The meeting was chaired by the Chairperson of the Caucus and Hon. Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Saroja Savithri Paulraj. Hon. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya also participated in the discussion.A key concern raised during the discussion was the lack of adequate data and indicators to accurately assess and measure women’s economic contributions within the budgetary process. Drawing on examples of approaches adopted in India and other countries, members of the Caucus underscored the need to identify and address existing systemic and technical gaps in Sri Lanka’s budgeting framework.The Caucus also emphasized the importance of disaggregating data by gender in project reporting and strengthening digital data management systems to support such efforts. It was further noted that identifying relevant gender-related considerations at the initial stages of project design and implementation at the ministerial level would facilitate more effective project analysis, monitoring, and evaluation of outcomes.The need to move away from existing traditional and time-consuming methods towards formal online systems and data-driven analytical tools was also emphasized.The current progress and challenges in integrating Gender-Responsive Budgeting into Sri Lanka’s public financial policy were discussed in detail during the meeting.It was also emphasized that such budgeting should not be limited to nominal percentages in documents, but that the need to establish a formal framework and data system to ensure it has a real and practical impact was also highlighted.The Hon.Deputy Chairperson of Committees Hemalee Weerasekera, Hon. Deputy Minister Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne, Co-Vice Chairpersons of the Caucus, Hon. Members of Parliament Chamindrani Kiriella, Attorney at Law and Samanmalee Gunasinghe, Hon. Members of Parliament Thushari Jayasinghe, Attorney at Law, Krishnan Kaleichelvi, Sagarika Athauda ,Attorney at Law, Nilanthi Kottahachchi, Attorney at Law, Ambika Samivel and Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney at Law, along with a group of officials from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, also participated in the event.
2026-06-17
The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government met recently (Jun. 12) at Parliament under the chairmanship of the Hon. Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, Prof. A.H.M.H. Abayarathna.During the meeting, Members of Parliament discussed a range of issues and proposals relating to their respective electorates, as well as several other matters of public importance.Hon. Members of Parliament and officials were present at the meeting.
2026-06-17
The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs met recently (Jun. 09) at Parliament under the chairmanship of the Hon. Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi.During the meeting, Members of Parliament discussed a number of proposals and issues, including reviewing the progress of discussions initiated with the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education and the Department of Examinations regarding the formulation of regulations to prevent the conduct of private tuition classes on Sunday mornings, thereby facilitating the holding of Dhamma School classes on Sundays.The meeting was attended by Hon. Deputy Ministers, Hon. Members of Parliament and officials.
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