2022-12-13
News Categories : Committee News
Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security Hon. Nalin Fernando said that at present his ministry has been able to control the rise in the market price of essential food items. He said so at the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Trade, Commerce and Food Security held in Parliament recently.
Addressing the committee, the minister further mentioned that when comparing the prices of the open market in the months of March and April, the consumer has been able to get relief from the reduction in the price of essential goods by November. Accordingly, one kilogram of dhal in the open market in July was 595 rupees, and in December, one kilogram of dhal was reduced to 389 rupees from Lanka Sathosa . He further mentioned that 1 kilogram of wheat flour which was 410 rupees in the open market, was reduced to 265 rupees from Lanka Sathosa in December.
Also, the minister said that the Sathosa was able to reduce the price of one kilogram of white sugar which was at 280 rupees to 229 rupees and to reduce the price of one kilogram of samba rice from 225 rupees to 198 rupees.
The Minister instructed the Consumer Affairs Authority and the Department of Measurement Units Standards & Services to continue market monitoring and inspections for the sake of consumer protection during the upcoming festive season.
In addition to that, he emphasized that the Consumer Act No. 9 of 2003 will be amended with the aim of establishing a fair market system. The Minister said that the qualifications of the full-time members including the Chairman of the Consumer Authority are expected to be included in the Act and the method of investigating consumer complaints against manufacturers and traders is expected to be included in the Act in a more systematic manner. Minister also said that he intends to present the revised draft including new clauses to the next consultative committee meeting.
Opinions were also expressed about the implementation of programs to attract the youth to the cooperative sector. Minister said that it is proposed to implement relief programs through the cooperative sector to identify young entrepreneurs and direct them to the production process. Also, through the empowerment of cooperative societies, it is expected to further strengthen the retail and wholesale network and to introduce a cooperative scholarship system, he said.
The minister also said that at present, it has been possible to run the State Trading Corporation (STC) profitably. STC was given the exclusive right to import and distribute the ammonium nitrate required by the country, but with the ban on the export of ammonium nitrate by India, the explosives industry in the country suffered a setback. But again, ammonium nitrate has been imported and distributed through STC, minister said.
Also, the minister said that the government has paid close attention to ensuring food security in the country. It was also emphasized that a project to promote women entrepreneurs in order to increase incomes and improve the quality of life will be started within this month. The chairman mentioned that at the moment, identification of the relevant beneficiaries is going on at the divisional secretariat level and after the relevant identification, the necessary equipment will be provided to the women entrepreneurs by STC.
Discussions were held on the relaunch of the Mahapola Education and Trade Fair and the Minister said that the Mahapola Education and Trade Fair will be restarted by March 2023.
State Ministers Hon. S. Viyalanderan, Hon. Kader Mastan, Hon. Rohana Dissanayake and several Members of Parliament were present at the meeting held. Also, a group of officials representing relevant institutions including the Secretary to the Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Food Safety also participated.
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.
Handbook of Parliament
The System of Elections in Sri Lanka
How Parliament Works
Business of Parliament
Copyright © The Parliament of Sri Lanka.
All Rights Reserved.
Design & Developed by TekGeeks
