2022-07-07
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.
2026-09-30
It was revealed at the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Youth Affairs and Sports, which met recently in Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage, that arrangements are being made to gazette and present to Parliament a new Bill prepared to completely reform the governance structure of Sri Lanka Cricket.It was stated before the Committee that the proposed new cricket governance structure would include independent directors. Under the proposed new legislation, District Cricket Associations will no longer engage directly in decision-making with Sri Lanka Cricket, but will instead function through Provincial Cricket Associations.The Committee was also informed that Sri Lanka Cricket provides Rs. 900 million annually, together with equipment, for school cricket. It was further revealed that plans have been proposed in consultation with the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education to formalize the recruitment of coaches and the player selection process.Meanwhile, the Committee reviewed the progress in implementing the recommendations of the Auditor General relating to sports associations. It was stated that 33 sports associations have completed the relevant recommendations, while reports are due to be obtained in respect of a further 33 associations.The Ministry has instructed that the collection of fees for walking tracks and sports complexes used by the public for health and exercise activities be suspended immediately. The Ministry’s policy that sports facilities should be maintained not as profit-making ventures, but as a government responsibility for the promotion of national health and community welfare, was also emphasized.It was also stated that, under the plan to provide at least one synthetic running track in every province, the next synthetic track is scheduled to be constructed in Anuradhapura. The Committee was informed that there are currently only two synthetic tracks in the country.The Committee also discussed matters relating to the development of sports facilities in the Ampara District, the development of Weber Stadium in Batticaloa and the Hingurakgoda Sports Complex, improvements to sports facilities in the Hali-Ela area of Badulla, and resolving issues at the Bandaragama Public Grounds in Kalutara.Furthermore, the Committee was informed that when allocating government funds for international competitions, funding will be provided only for official national teams representing Sri Lanka and officially recognized international tournaments. It was also revealed that no discrimination based on race or region would be made when selecting national teams or sending teams to participate in overseas competitions.The meeting was attended by Hon. Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs Dinidu Saman Hennayake, other Deputy Ministers, Hon. Members of Parliament, officials of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and members of the Transformation Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket, among others.
2026-09-30
The Subcommittee on Shortage of Physical Resources in Schools discussed the progress of the General Education Modernization Programme (GEM) implemented by the Ministry of Education.The Subcommittee, appointed by the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education to investigate the shortage of physical resources in schools, considered these matters at a meeting held recently in Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Samanmali Gunasinghe.Officials of the Ministry of Education briefed the Subcommittee on the work carried out in schools under the programme, which is being implemented with the assistance of the World Bank. The Subcommittee emphasized the need to further expedite the activities being carried out under the programme and instructed officials to submit a detailed report on its progress.The Subcommittee further emphasized the need to take necessary measures to address the requirements relating to sanitary facilities and drinking water facilities in schools, particularly to ensure the quality and safety of drinking water.The Subcommittee also conducted an extensive review of the progress of the programme to provide telecommunication facilities to schools, as well as the progress of programmes to establish model primary schools.Hon. Members of Parliament R.M. Samantha Ranasinghe and Padmasiri Bandara, together with officials of the Ministry of Education, also participated in the meeting.
2026-09-30
Following discussions with officials of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka regarding Foreign Exchange Regulations Nos. 01 and 02 of 2026 and the Order issued under Section 22 of the Foreign Exchange Act, the Committee on Public Finance approved the said Regulations and Order.The matter was considered at a meeting of the Committee on Public Finance held in Parliament recently under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Dr. Harsha de Silva. The Committee examined the relevant provisions relating to foreign investments, the transfer of funds overseas by emigrants, and measures to control foreign exchange outflows from the country.Hon. Deputy Ministers Chathuranga Abeysinghe and Nishantha Jayawera, as well as Hon. Members of Parliament Ravi Karunanayake, Ajith Agalakada, Nimal Palihena, Wijesiri Basnayake, Thilina Samarakoon, Champika Hettiarachchi and Attorney-at-Law Lakmali Hemachandra, participated in the meeting.Officials representing the Ministry of Finance, Sri Lanka Customs, the Department of Trade and Investment Policy, the Department of Import and Export Control, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and its Department of Foreign Exchange also participated in the meeting.The Committee focused on the provisions relating to investments made overseas by persons resident in Sri Lanka under Foreign Exchange Regulations No. 01 of 2026. Discussions were held on persons eligible to make foreign investments, the sectors in which investments may be made, and the applicable restrictions on transferring capital overseas. Attention was also given to the opportunities available for Sri Lankan companies to expand their business operations overseas and the financial facilities required for such expansion. With regard to Foreign Exchange Regulations No. 02 of 2026, discussions were held on the procedures and restrictions applicable to emigrants transferring assets held in Sri Lanka overseas. In particular, the Committee was briefed on the existing provisions relating to the transfer of capital overseas under the Emigrant’s Allowance, as well as the remittance overseas of current income such as rental income, interest and dividends.Meanwhile, the Committee also discussed the Order issued under Section 22 of the Foreign Exchange Act. Officials of the Central Bank explained the temporary restrictions currently in place to manage foreign exchange outflows, taking into consideration the prevailing economic conditions and the need to safeguard foreign exchange reserves.The officials further informed the Committee that consideration is also being given to gradually relaxing these restrictions as economic conditions improve.The Committee also discussed the export earnings brought into the country by exporters during the previous year and the opportunities available to use a portion of those earnings for the expansion of businesses overseas. The importance of providing facilities required by local businesses to expand their operations in international markets was also highlighted.The Committee further focused on investigations into the unauthorised outflow of foreign exchange from the country and the monitoring mechanisms in place in this regard. Measures taken to minimise discrepancies between banking and Customs data relating to imports and exports were discussed, along with the need to strengthen coordination among relevant institutions to prevent the misuse of foreign exchange.In addition, the Committee considered the restrictions on bank guarantees and other financial facilities required by local companies, including construction companies, when seeking business opportunities overseas.During the discussion, Committee members also pointed out that imposing unnecessary regulations could discourage businesses and create a risk of hindering economic growth. Expressing his views, the Chairman pointed out that restricting foreign exchange outflows could also result in a reduction in the amount of foreign exchange flowing into the country.The Chairman also questioned why the amount specified in the Regulations as USD 2 million had been stated as USD 0.75 million in the Order in relation to the expansion of listed companies.In response, officials of the Department of Foreign Exchange stated that the USD 0.75 million limit would apply only for a period of approximately six months, and that consideration would be given to relaxing the limit in 2027. They further stated that the corresponding limit for non-listed companies is USD 0.2 million.The Department of Foreign Exchange stated that foreign exchange exceeding these limits may be converted with the approval of the Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. It was also explained that such approval would be granted based on the balance sheet of the business. However, views were also expressed that businesses with higher asset levels may have greater opportunities to obtain such approval.
2026-09-25
The Committee on High Posts of Parliament recently granted approval for the appointment of a new Ambassador, a High Commissioner, and a chairperson of a state institution.The approvals were granted when the Committee on High Posts met under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.Accordingly, the Committee approved the appointment of Mrs. Anzul Banu Jhan as the new Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Republic of the Philippines and Mr. Chandana Rohana Kumara Ambagolla as the new High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Canada.The Committee also approved the appointment of Mr. Nusith Kumarathunga as the new Chairman of Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation Limited.
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