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.
2026-07-16
Parliamentary Caucus for Youth focused on the importance of obtaining the views and proposals of young people on the Draft National Youth Policy.The matter was discussed at the sixth meeting of the Parliamentary Forum for Youth, held recently in Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara.During the meeting, an extensive discussion was held on the Draft National Youth Policy. Attention was also drawn to obtaining the views and proposals of the Members of the Caucus with a view to incorporating the needs and aspirations of young people into the policy in a more effective manner.It was further emphasised that the Parliamentary Caucus for Youth will continue to facilitate the meaningful inclusion of the voices of young people in the policy formulation process.The meeting was attended by Hon. Members of Parliament and officials.
2026-07-10
The Committee on High Posts, which met in Parliament recently (Jul. 08), has granted its approval for the appointment of Mr. D.P. Wickramasingha as the Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation.The meeting was chaired by the Hon. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and was attended by Hon. Ministers Bimal Rathnayake and Dr. Upali Pannilage, as well as Hon. Members of Parliament Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe, Rishad Bathiudeen, K. Kader Mastan, Kumara Jayakody, Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan, and Attorney-at-Law Chamindrani Kiriella.
2026-07-08
The Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) has approved the submission to Parliament of a Resolution under the Customs Ordinance and two Orders under the Sri Lanka Export Development Act, following its consideration.The decision was taken at a meeting of the Committee held in Parliament on 6th July, chaired by Hon. Member of Parliament Dr. Harsha de Silva.Accordingly, the Committee considered the Resolution published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2478/03 under the Customs Ordinance (Chapter 235), as well as the Orders published in Extraordinary Gazette Nos. 2478/04 and 2479/38 under the Sri Lanka Export Development Act. Officials representing the Ministry of Finance, Sri Lanka Customs, and the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) attended the meeting.In line with the 2026 Budget proposal to implement the National Tariff Policy, the existing customs import duty rates of 0%, 15% and 20% on imported goods have been restructured into a four-band system of 0%, 10%, 20% and 30%, effective 1 April 2026.Committee discussions emphasized that these amendments are not merely changes to tax rates, but mark the beginning of implementing a National Tariff Policy that will shape Sri Lanka's trade and investment environment over the coming decade. Officials explained that the principal objective of the policy is to establish a scientific and predictable tariff structure that will enable Sri Lanka to integrate more effectively into global supply chains.Under the policy, a new four-band tariff structure based on the United Nations Broad Economic Categories (BEC Revision 5) classification is proposed, requiring the reclassification of numerous HS tariff codes. The new tariff framework will classify imports under four principal categories—capital goods, intermediate goods, sensitive intermediate goods, and consumer goods—while also balancing the objectives of protecting domestic industries and maintaining stable government revenue.It was also revealed that, to provide relief to the construction sector, the current effective import tax rate on ceramic tiles, which stands at approximately 85–90%, will be reduced in stages to 20% by 2029. This is expected to lower construction costs and encourage investment in housing and infrastructure.The Government also proposes introducing new national tariff sub-categories for various sectors in response to requests from domestic industries.Officials further noted that the Government aims to gradually phase out para-tariffs such as the CESS and the Ports and Airports Levy (PAL) by 2029, moving towards a simpler tariff regime. The Committee also advised officials to consider measures to mitigate any adverse impacts that may arise from tariff liberalization.It was noted that these tax reforms are expected to support the Export Development Board's objective of doubling Sri Lanka's export earnings from US$18 billion to US$36 billion over the next five years. The policy is also expected to provide a strong foundation for integrating Sri Lanka into global supply chains, particularly in the electronics, rubber products, pharmaceuticals, and information technology sectors.The Committee also expressed serious concern over delays in updating trade data. The Chair observed that the Department of Trade and Investment Policy's trade database had not been updated since 2021, and instructed the relevant officials to update all trade data and related information required for evidence-based policymaking within one week.The Gazette notifications are scheduled to be debated in Parliament today (8 July), following which they are expected to be submitted for Parliamentary approval.The meeting was attended by Hon. Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Hon. Deputy Minister Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathna, and Hon. Members of Parliament Ravi Karunanayake, Harshana Rajakaruna, and Attorney-at-Law Lakmali Hemachandra.
2026-07-08
Hon. Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake stated that the Government will introduce a Cluster Bus Company System to improve public transportation, adding that Cabinet approval for the initiative was recently granted.The Minister made these remarks yesterday (7th July) while chairing the meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Transport, Highways and Urban Development in Parliament.He further stated that the scheme will initially be implemented as a pilot project on bus routes 177, 170 and 190.The Minister also said that the previous four categories of bus services; normal, semi-luxury, luxury and super-luxury have been streamlined by removing the semi-luxury and super-luxury categories. Referring to the Semi-Luxury category, the Minister stated that a related court case is currently pending and that the relevant facts will be presented before the court.Minister Rathnayake further pointed out that it is not equitable to apply a single fare formula to both long-distance and short-distance bus services. Given the higher operating costs associated with long-distance services, a separate methodology will be introduced to determine fares for long-distance buses. He emphasized that the Government is committed to safeguarding both the bus industry and passengers.The Chair of the Committee also sought clarification from officials on whether bus fares could be reduced following recent fuel price decreases. Officials explained that although fuel prices have declined, other operating costs remain high, limiting the scope for fare reductions.The Committee also discussed a range of issues including reducing road accidents, establishing dedicated lanes for bicycles and motorcycles, road development projects, and complaints from passengers regarding the failure to receive correct change from bus conductors. Officials were instructed to take the necessary action on these matters.The Chair further directed officials to intervene promptly to resolve issues raised by Members of Parliament relating to the transport and urban development sectors.The Committee also agreed that regulations made by the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development under the Motor Traffic Act (No. 203), and published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2480/22 dated 19 March 2026, should be submitted to Parliament for approval following the Committee's consideration.The regulations extend the concessionary period granted for fitting seat belts to seats in vehicles travelling on expressways where seat belts were not originally installed by the manufacturer. As the Committee observed that the previous grace period was insufficient, it has been extended from 20 March 2026 until 19 June 2026.The meeting was attended by Hon. Deputy Minister of Urban Development Eranga Gunasekara, several Members of Parliament, and officials representing the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development.
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