2022-07-07
News Categories : Committee News
According to the data, petrol and diesel can be sold at a price of approximately Rs. 250 in Sri Lanka, said Mr. Janaka Ratnayake, Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL).
He stated this when the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) met in Parliament yesterday (06) under the chairmanship of the Member of Parliament (Prof.) Charita Herath to examine the Auditor General's report for the years 2018 and 2019 and current performance of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka.
Explaining this further, Mr. Rathnayake mentioned that this is revealed when checking the statistics on the import prices of petroleum and the taxes levied by the government. Accordingly, he pointed out that petrol and diesel can be provided in Sri Lanka at Rs. 200 less than the current price. According to this, petrol and diesel can be sold at a price of approximately Rs. 250 . He also said that the government has collected a tax of Rs. 280 for one liter of diesel imported on July 1st.
He said that this is his personal statement and he would make the statement after consulting the data. Accordingly, the members present asked about the awareness of the officials of the commission and the officials of the board of directors said that they are not aware of it. It was also mentioned here that the Ministry of Finance has not formally informed about this.
COPE members asked Mr. Ratnayake about his qualifications for becoming the chairman of this commission. He pointed out that he has obtained a Special Degree in Public Administration from the University of Sri Jayawardenepura and a Postgraduate degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Colombo. He also said that he has also studied at Harvard University. As his political qualifications, he stated that since 2005, Rajapaksa has been greatly supported in forming governments.
COPE chairman mentioned that the statement made by PUCSL Chairman regarding the fuel price is more serious and the attention of the country is being drawn on this. Therefore, officials from the Ministry of Power and Energy and the PUCSL Chairman are expected to be summoned before the COPE to inspect the matter in the future, said Prof. Herath.
Also, it was discussed at length about the purchase by the commission of a “Benz” car manufactured in the year 2005 without fuel or driver from a company called General Business (Private) Ltd without entering into any agreement for a period of one year from December 07, 2021. Thus, the annual rent for this vehicle was Rs.4,500,000 and on 31 May 2022, Rs. 2,187,500 had been paid to the aforesaid company. However, the COPE questioned the fact that the files regarding the hiring of this vehicle were not submitted for audit, recommendations were given to hire a 15-year-old vehicle, as well as the irregularities in calling for bids for the hiring of this vehicle, and the issues of transparency in the payment of rent for this vehicle. In particular, the committee instructed the officer who signed the approval to provide money for this institution to act responsibly.
Accordingly, the COPE Chairman recommended that an investigation be conducted and a full report be submitted to the COPE.
Also, although it was informed that the Organization Structure and Salary Structure of the PUCSL should be developed under the recommendation of the National Salary and Cadre Commission and the approval of the Department of Management Services and that the Finance Minister should submit an amendment to the Cabinet and approve it, the committee discussed spending on certain functions without doing it by the end of 2021.
In particular, the COPE paid attention to the fact that Rs. 45,873,483 were paid to the staff of the institution under 11 types of allowances. Also, the committee paid more attention to the fact that Rs. 86,808,538 of the total operating cost, (49% of the total amount) had been spent on public awareness programs.
In particular, attention was paid to the approved electricity generation plan for the years 2018-2037. The officials present mentioned that data on another new generation plan was submitted in the year 2021 and was not approved as the appropriate requirements were not met. Here, the Committee mentioned that when the political authorities change, problems arise due to the change of these plans, so all parties should pay more attention to this.
Furthermore, under the Electricity (Distribution) Performance Standards Orders mentioned in a special gazette notice issued in 2016, the commission was assigned the responsibility of preparing and implementing the performance rules. Thus, the work that should be implemented within 36 months after the decree came into effect, although almost 4 years have passed, the committee drew attention to the fact that even the adaptation phase, which was planned to be completed in 2018, has not yet been completed. The officials who were present mentioned that this was planned to be done in 3 phases in 3 years and that it has not happened yet due to the need to change the system and the problems in the relationship between the parties involved.
The members of the committee Hon. Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, Hon. Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Hon. Indika Anuruddha, (Dr.) Hon. Harsha de Silva, (Dr.) Hon. Nalaka Godaheva, Hon. Jayantha Samaraweera, Hon. Premnath C. Dolawatta and Hon. Mr. Madura Withanage were present. Also, several MPs who are not members of the committee also participated with the permission of the chairman of the committee.
2026-03-24
The Select Committee of Parliament to conduct a comprehensive study on the lack of preparedness to face Cyclone Ditwah and report to Parliament and submit its proposals and recommendations in that regard, met for the first time on 19.03.2026 at Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. Minister (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa.Addressing the meeting, the Chair emphasized the importance of gaining a clear understanding of how the relevant responsible institutions operate during natural disasters such as Cyclone Ditwah, in order to effectively carry forward the work of the Committee. Accordingly, it was decided to summon officials from the Disaster Management Centre, the Department of Meteorology, the Department of Irrigation, and the Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka to the next two committee meetings to obtain the necessary preliminary briefings.It was also proposed that, given the subject-specific scope of the Committee, officials possessing technical expertise and specialized knowledge in relevant fields should be called before the Committee from time to time to assist in understanding complex technical matters. The Chair noted that the Committee is required to submit its report to Parliament within three months from the date of its first meeting by 19.06.2026. Accordingly, efforts will be made to hold meetings promptly and prepare the report, including relevant recommendations, within this timeframe. He further stated that, in addition to proposals related to the Committee’s scope, the report is expected to include recommendations aimed at establishing a stronger mechanism to effectively respond to future events similar to Cyclone Ditwah.The meeting was attended by Hon. Members of Parliament Anuradha Jayaratne (Attorney-at-Law), Hector Appuhamy, Rohini Kumari Wijerathna, M.K.M. Aslam, Anushka Thilakaratne (Attorney-at-Law), Kanthasamy Prabhu, Ruwan Mapalagama, and (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam. Hon. Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa also attended with the special permission of the Chair.
2026-03-24
Deputy Minister of Health, Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni, stated that disability should be viewed not only from a medical perspective but also from social and human rights perspectives. He made these remarks while participating in an awareness programme on service delivery for persons with disabilities, held on 20th March 2026, at the auditorium of the National Epilepsy Centre of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL).Although Sri Lanka has made some progress in this area compared to other countries in the region, he noted that persons with disabilities still face numerous physical, communication, and attitudinal barriers when accessing healthcare services. He emphasized that the government is committed to implementing necessary policy changes to identify social barriers, enhance awareness, and bring about attitudinal change. He also highlighted the importance of providing health information in multiple accessible formats for persons with disabilities.The Deputy Minister further stressed the importance of systematically sensitizing healthcare staff to deliver services based on equality and dignity, going beyond the traditional medical model. He also appreciated the contribution made by the Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities in this regard.This programme was the second in a series of awareness programmes conducted at the ministry level as part of the action plan of the Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities. The workshop aimed to educate officials on inclusive service delivery within the health sector and was organized by the Caucus with the support of the Australian Government and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES).Chairman of the Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities, Hon. Member of Parliament Sugath Wasantha de Silva, stated that this series of awareness programmes is a step towards ensuring an “unrestricted social life” for persons with disabilities. While appreciating the country’s free healthcare system, he pointed out that more than 1.6 million persons with disabilities in Sri Lanka still face physical and attitudinal barriers in accessing healthcare services. He emphasized that access to healthcare is a fundamental right linked to the right to life.He further proposed that a new perspective on disability, along with a specialized module, should be included in the curricula of medical and nursing colleges to ensure that future healthcare professionals are sensitized from the early stages of their training.Deputy Co-Chair of the Caucus, Hon. Member of Parliament (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam, President of the Disability Organizations Joint Front (DOJF), Ashoka Weerawardena, Professor Chamari Weeraratne of the Department of Pharmacology, University of Colombo, Deputy Director General of Health Services (Public Health), Dr. Vindya Kumarapeli, Director of the Youth, Elderly and Persons with Disabilities Unit of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Nishani Ubeysekara and representatives of the disabled community also shared their views.Several key issues were raised during the discussion, including the lack of sign language interpreters at hospital counters, difficulties faced due to high counters and surgical beds, the absence of toilets with commode facilities, and privacy concerns caused by “saloon-style doors” in accessible toilets. The need for priority identification cards for persons with intellectual disabilities who find it difficult to wait in queues was also highlighted.Officials noted that steps are being taken to develop infrastructure under World Bank and Asian Development Bank assistance, including accessibility features such as ramps, accessible toilets, and dedicated pharmacy counters. It was also revealed that pilot “Support Centers” staffed with personnel trained in basic sign language are being planned for primary hospitals.At the conclusion of the programme, it was proposed that persons with disabilities themselves should be employed at these Support Centers to ensure more effective, experience-based service delivery. Agreement was reached to take prompt follow-up action within the Ministry of Health on practical recommendations related to staff sensitization and the standardization of infrastructure.The programme was attended by officials of the Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities, Programme Officer of IFES Ms. Anojitha Sivaskaran and other representatives of the organization, as well as representatives from institutions and organizations working with persons with disabilities.
2026-03-24
The Committee focused on obstacles, challenges, and issues related to the administration of national parks in Sri Lanka Attention was given to issues concerning the licensing of fishing nets and other equipment used by the fishing community The Committee also examined issues related to the government’s paddy purchasing process and price determination over the past few years The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability met in Parliament on 04.03.2026 and 05.03.2026 under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Hector Appuhamy. During these meetings, discussions were held with officials from relevant institutions on several sectors requiring timely attention.Accordingly, the Committee held extensive discussions on the challenges, obstacles, and issues related to the administration of national parks in Sri Lanka, issues concerning the licensing of fishing nets and other equipment used by the fishing community and matters relating to how successive governments have carried out the paddy purchasing process and determined prices in recent years.Following discussions on national parks in Sri Lanka, the Committee recommended that a comprehensive report containing all relevant information on these parks be submitted. The Committee also decided to conduct inspection visits to the relevant national parks in order to identify existing issues and propose solutions, along with engaging in discussions with the necessary officials.The Committee also paid extensive attention to fishing nets and other equipment used by the fishing community. The Chair recommended that a report be submitted regarding fish imported into the country as raw material for canned fish production in recent years.Furthermore, the Committee focused on issues related to the paddy purchasing process carried out by governments over the past few years and the determination of prices. In this regard, the Committee recommended that a report be submitted including data for 2023, 2024, and 2025 on the total extent of cultivated land in the country, the extent actually cultivated, and the reasons for lands not being cultivated.Members of the Committee were present at these meetings.
2026-03-24
The Select Committee of Parliament to look into and report to Parliament on the matter of selecting the Electoral System under which the Provincial Council Elections should be held and submit its proposals and recommendations in that regard, met for the first time on 17th March 2026 at Parliament, under the chairmanship of the Hon. Minister Vijitha Herath.Addressing the Committee, the Chairman pointed out that a legal impediment has arisen in conducting Provincial Council Elections due to the failure to complete the delimitation process required for the implementation of the Mixed Member Proportional Representation system introduced under the provisions of the Act No. 17 of 2017, which amended the Provincial Councils Elections Act.Members representing the Opposition, expressing their views, highlighted that a majority of key public institutions, including those in the education and health sectors, are administered through Provincial Councils. They pointed out that the absence of Provincial Councils for nearly nine years has led to numerous issues. Accordingly, the Opposition members proposed that the elections be held under the previous Proportional Representation system, and that necessary steps be taken thereafter to amend the electoral system.The Chairman emphasized the importance of fostering a broader and more in-depth dialogue in formulating an electoral system that ensures mandatory representation of women and provides opportunities for youth representation in Local Government Elections.Highlighting the importance of obtaining a preliminary understanding of the existing legal framework relating to the conduct of these elections, the Chairman proposed that officials from the Attorney General’s Department and the Election Commission be summoned to the next meeting to obtain their views.The Chairman also reminded that the Committee is required to submit its report within three months from the date of its inaugural meeting.The meeting was attended by Hon. Deputy Ministers Arun Hemachandra, Sunil Watagala, and Munir Mulaffer, as well as Members of Parliament R. M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Mano Ganesan, Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam, Nizam Kariapper PC, Chandana Sooriyarachchi, Dharmapriya Wijesinghe, and Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi.
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