2022-11-30
News Categories : Committee News
Hon. Keheliya Rambukwella, the Minister of Health, stated that the 28 million USD grant provided by China, has been utilized to ensure the supply of 14 vital medicines required. The Minister stated the said in response to concerns raised by Members of Parliament regarding the on-going rumors regarding the shortage of medicine in the country.
Furthermore, the Minister explained that an allocation of 200 million USD from the Indian credit line have been made to cater to the needs of the health sector. He also stated that Cabinet approval has been granted to allocate the remaining 35 million USD from the one billion USD received from the Indian Credit line in addition to the 200 million USD for the same.
The Minister of Health, Hon. Keheliya Rambukwella stated the above at the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Health, held recently (Nov. 24) in Parliament under his chairmanship.
Further concerns were raised regarding excessive charges in private hospitals in a context where free health is facing challenges to meet the demand due to the forex crisis. Members of Parliament stated that given the failure to maintain government hospitals and provide with requisite medical equipment, patients are thus compelled to obtain the service of private hospitals.
The minister stated that by next year approximately a 25% - 30% of rise in those who will resort to government hospitals is unavoidable. He stated that it has come to a point where the middle-income category cannot afford private hospital facilities further.
The Minister also emphasized that the Ministry of Finance allocate money first and foremost for the purpose of paying the wages of public servants, for forces and for pensioners. The very next priority is given for allocating money for health. Nevertheless, it only suffices to manage he said.
Furthermore, concerns were also raised about transfers of the technical medical staff. The Members of Parliament were of the view that since technical medical staff are stationed in areas far away from their hometowns, they face great difficulties especially in times of an economic crisis.
The Minister stated that a decision should be arrived at to transfer everyone subjected to a limit of 5-6 years. The Minister stated that there are practical concerns in arranging transfers as it is hard to find someone willing to agree to a mutual exchange between stations.
Minister Naseer Ahamed, State Minister Hon. (Dr.) Seetha Arambepola, Hon. Sisira Jayakody, Members of Parliament including Hon. (Dr.) Rajitha Senarathne, Hon. Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Hon. Ashok Abeysinghe, Hon. Weerasumana Weerasinghe, Hon. Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan, officials representing the Ministry of health and affiliated institutions were present at the Committee meeting held.
2026-06-25
The report submitted by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka to the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) regarding the disappearance of USD 2.5 million that had been held by the Treasury for the repayment of state debt was discussed at a recent meeting of the Committee.The meeting was held in Parliament on the 23rd June under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Dr. Harsha de Silva, with the participation of Hon. Deputy Ministers Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne, and Nishantha Jayaweera, as well as Hon. Members of Parliament Attorney-at-Law Rauff Hakeem, Ravi Karunanayake, Harshana Rajakaruna, Ajith Alahakoon, Nimal Palihena, Attorney-at-Law Chithral Fernando, Wijesiri Basnayake, Champika Hettiarachchi, M.K.M. Aslam, and Attorney-at-Law Lakmali Hemachandra.The report submitted by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to the Committee on Public Finance on the 8th regarding the disappearance of USD 2.5 million was subsequently examined by officials of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. Following this review, the Central Bank submitted a report containing its observations and views to the Committee.Extensive discussions were held on the report presented by the Central Bank. The Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance stated that, after considering both the report submitted by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and the report submitted by the Central Bank, a final report would be prepared and presented to Parliament in due course.Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development; Varuna Sri Dhanapala, Secretary to the Ministry of Digital Economy; Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and officials of the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (CERT) were also preset at the meeting.
2026-06-23
The Department of the Public Trustee was summoned before the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) to examine the Auditor General's triennial report for the years 2021–2023, matters raised in the Auditor General’s Report for 2024 and the Department’s current performance. The discussion took place when COPA met recently in Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Kabir Hashim.During the meeting, the Chairman inquired about the implementation of a recommendation made at the Committee’s meeting in May 2024. The recommendation requested a report containing details of the various avenues through which the Department receives assets, the dates on which those assets were received, the parties that transferred them, and the conditions attached to such transfers.Officials informed the Committee that the relevant report had been submitted. The Committee further recommended that a report on the number of trusts and properties currently held by the Department of the Public Trustee be provided.The Committee also questioned officials regarding the tender process to lease 113 acres of land belonging to the Harry Hapugoda property in Suduvelipotha, Baddegama, Galle. Officials stated that a bid exceeding the assessed value of the property had been received. It was also revealed that portions of the land are being occupied without authorization by various parties.Attention was further drawn to the maintenance of the Richmond Castle building. Officials informed the Committee that modernization and renovation work is expected to commence in July. Committee members also observed that although the coconut harvest from the estate is satisfactory, the property is not being maintained adequately.The meeting was attended by committee member and Hon. Deputy Minister of Vocational Education Nalin Hewage, along with Hon. Members of Parliament and committee members Chanaka Madugoda, J.C. Alawathuwala, Oshani Umanga, Sagarika Athauda (Attorney-at-Law), T.K. Jayasundara, Chandana Suriyaarachchi, Ajantha Gammeddage, Lal Premanath, Ruwanthilaka Jayakody and Sunil Ratnasiri.
2026-06-23
The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education met recently in Parliament under the chairmanship of the Hon. Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. During the meeting, Hon. Members of Parliament raised a range of current issues affecting the education sector.The Committee discussed several matters, including the need to introduce a standardized plan and model for primary school construction, administrative issues in assisted schools, teacher transfer-related concerns, the progress of school construction projects at the provincial level, challenges within the vocational education sector and future development plans.Following discussions with relevant officials, the Hon. Prime Minister instructed them to take immediate action to address the issues raised and to implement the necessary measures without delay.The Committee also reviewed the progress of the subcommittees established under the Ministerial Consultative Committee.The meeting was attended by the Hon. Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education, Dr. Madhura Seneviratne, the Hon. Deputy Minister of Vocational Education, Nalin Hewage, a group of Hon. Members of Parliament and officials including the Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, Mr. Nalaka Kaluwewa.
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.
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