2023-01-20
News Categories : Committee News
The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) met on 19.01.2023 under the chairmanship of Hon. (Prof.) Ranjith Bandara to look into the current performance of the Consumer Affairs Authority. Accordingly, attention was paid to the following points.
1. A proposal to make necessary recommendations to protect the consumer rights
COPE raised questions regarding the responsibility of the Consumer Affairs Authority. The committee was of the opinion that although the main responsibility of the Authority is to protect consumer rights through empowering consumers, streamlining trade and good promotions, the Authority is not working according to that vision. Accordingly, the Committee recommended the Secretary to the Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Food Security to report to COPE within two weeks how the Consumer Affairs Authority can deal with the protection of consumer rights.
2. A program that goes beyond traditional strategies to control commodity prices
The Authority was also told to prepare a program that goes beyond traditional price control to control commodity prices. The committee's attention was particularly focused on the current egg price control. Thus, instructions were given for the two Secretaries to the Ministries of Trade and Agriculture to coordinate with the relevant officials to prepare a price formula to determine the price of an egg within three days and to give instructions to calculate the relevant cost for an egg accordingly. Thus, it was decided to summon the Secretaries to the Committee on Wednesday.
3. Suggestions to solve the existing problems in determining the price of eggs
The committee also asked the secretaries to the Ministries to present solutions to solve the obstacles to the government's decision to import eggs with the aim of providing eggs at subsidized prices to the people.
It was emphasized here that by preventing the import of eggs, injustice cannot be allowed to happen to the entire public of Sri Lanka for the sake of a handful of large-scale egg businessmen and therefore, all institutions should coordinate to determine a minimum price for eggs or take steps to import eggs.
In order to protect the consumer by maintaining a control price for eggs, as well as the need for the consumer affairs authority and other relevant institutions to operate in good coordination in matters such as egg import, it was emphasized here.
4. An immediate placement for a permanent Director General of the Consumer Authority
The consumer affairs authority was also instructed to act promptly to appoint a permanent Director General. It was disclosed that there has only been an Acting Director General appointed for many years now. It was also disclosed at the committee that this position is vacant since the retirement of the former Acting Director General last December. The Auditor General pointed out that in the absence of a Director General, it will not be possible to implement certain powers of the Act. Accordingly, the COPE Chairman advised to consult with the Department of Management Services and take necessary steps to recruit the Director General, one of the most important positions in the organization.
He also instructed the Secretary to the Ministry to appoint an Acting Director General within two weeks.
5. Inform within a week regarding the action taken for the purpose of updating the Authority Act
Since the updating of the Consumer Authority Act No. 09 of 2003 has been delayed, it was instructed to report to COPE within a week the planned method and to appoint a committee at the ministerial level and take to necessary steps immediately. The Secretary to the Ministry informed the committee about the progress of amending the Act. The committee emphasized the need to speed up the amendment of this Act as it has been delayed for 17 years.
6. A program for more effective employment of graduates
The COPE Chairman also instructed the secretary to the Ministry to propose to COPE within a month a program to increase the performance and productivity levels of nearly 400 graduates currently holding various responsibilities in the Authority with relevant Performance Level Indicators (KPIs). Attention was also paid to the non-implementation and not providing prompt response to consume complaints. Accordingly, the committee emphasized the need to act quickly to employ these graduates more effectively.
7. A concrete plan in line with the revised Act is expected within three months
Since there is no concrete plan for the Authority so far, the chairman of COPE informed that a feasible concrete plan should be prepared and reported to the committee within three months in accordance with the amended Act. It was also pointed out that this compact plan should be implemented by targeting the existing problems, customer issues, raids etc. as well as the implementation of the vision, objectives and mission of the institution.
8. Need for a research unit and data bank
It was also informed to initiate a specified research unit for the consumer affairs authority. The need for a research unit was pointed out in order to make more accurate decisions as the authority constantly relies on production, market and consumer data in fulfilling its responsibilities. The need to maintain a data bank related to import, production and business was also discussed here.
9. A proposal that a program should be urgently established for the coordination of the authority and various related institutions to protect consumer rights.
COPE also informed that a program should be urgently established for the coordination of the authority and various institutions related to it in order to protect consumer rights.
State Ministers Hon. Janaka Wakkumbura, Hon. Lohan Ratwatte, Hon. Indika Anuruddha, Hon. D. V. Chanaka, Hon. Shantha Bandara, Members of Parliament Hon. Patali Champika Ranawaka, Hon. Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Hon. Nimal Lanza, Hon. Jagath Kumara Sumithraarachchi, Hon. (Major) Sudarshana Denipitiya, Hon. Premnath C. Dolawatte, Hon. Upul Mahendra Rajapaksha, Hon. Madhura Withanage were present at the Committee meeting held.
Furthermore, officials including Secretary to the Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Food Security Mr. P. M. B Athapattu, Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture Mr. Gunadasa Samarasinghe, Chairman to the Consumer Affairs Authority Mr. Shantha Niriella were also present at this Committee meeting held.
2026-03-30
Progress on the implementation of recommendations issued by the COPA on 06th January 2026 was reviewed Matters relating to the 2024 Auditor General’s Report and current performance were also examined The Department of Archaeology was summoned before the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA), where attention was drawn to the progress made in implementing the recommendations issued at the COPA meeting held on 06th January 2026, as well as to the current performance of the Department.These matters were discussed at the COPA meeting held in Parliament on 19th March 2026 under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Kabir Hashim, to examine the Auditor General’s triennial report for the years 2021–2023, the 2024 Auditor General’s Report, and the current performance of the Department of Archaeology.At its meeting on 06th January 2026, it was recommended that a report on the gazetted and ungazetted antiquities identified by the Department of Archaeology be submitted to the Committee within a month. However, the Auditor General’s Department pointed out that data relating to antiquities not declared by Gazette had still not been submitted to the Committee. Accordingly, the Chair of the Committee instructed that a report be submitted within two weeks, including details of such antiquities, reasons for not publishing them by Gazette, and a proposed timeline for their gazetting.The Committee also focused on the lack of progress in implementing the recommendation to establish a centralized data system for the Department of Archaeology, and instructed that a progress report on this matter be submitted to the Committee.Furthermore, it was revealed that although Cabinet approval stipulates that 25% of the revenue generated by the Central Cultural Fund should be allocated to the Ministry of National Heritage, the Department of Archaeology has been requesting a lower allocation annually. Officials who appeared before the Committee stated that funds allocated through Cabinet approval had remained unutilized, and that there are plans to reduce future allocations requested from the Treasury accordingly.The shortage of vehicles available to the Department was also discussed, with officials noting that this has significantly affected the institution’s performance. The Committee stated that it would take steps to raise this matter with the relevant authorities.The meeting was attended by Committee Member Hon. Deputy Minister Dinindu Saman Hennayake and Hon. Members of Parliament (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah, Hector Appuhamy, Chanaka Madugoda, Chandana Sooriyaarachchi, and Ruwanthilaka Jayakody.
2026-03-30
The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Youth Affairs and Sports has granted approval for the regulations under the “Convention Against Doping in Sports Act.” These regulations have been published in the Extraordinary Gazette No. 2471/51 dated 16 January 2026.The approval was granted at a meeting of the Committee held recently (Mar. 20) in Parliament, under the chairmanship of the Hon. Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage, with the participation of the Hon. Deputy Minister, Dinindu Saman Hennayake.A number of Member Parliamentarians of the Committee, as well as non-member Parliamentarians, were present at the meeting. Officials, including the Secretary to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, also attended the occasion.
2026-03-30
The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability has instructed officials to immediately prepare a plan for the environmentally friendly disposal of ash emitted from the Norochcholai Lakvijaya Power Plant.These instructions were given at a meeting of the Committee held in Parliament on the Mar. 17th, under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Hector Appuhamy.It was revealed during the meeting that, due to issues related to the quality of coal imported to Sri Lanka for power generation, the volume of ash emitted during electricity generation has increased significantly. The Committee noted that if this ash is not properly disposed of, there is a risk of future environmental damage. Accordingly, officials were directed to formulate a plan under the leadership of the District Secretary of the Puttalam District to take the necessary measures.It was also proposed that the possibility of reusing the removed ash for production purposes be studied, and that any revenue generated from such products be utilized for welfare projects benefiting the communities affected by the power plant.In addition, the Committee instructed the Central Environmental Authority to submit a comprehensive report on whether water and air pollution have occurred as a result of the Norochcholai Power Plant. Furthermore, the North Western Provincial Environmental Authority was also recommended to provide responses within two weeks regarding the questionnaire and related matters submitted by the Committee in connection with the Norochcholai Power Plant.Officials of the North Western Provincial Environmental Authority stated that although the volume of ash emitted from the plant has increased, the filtration system in use at the plant is sufficient to absorb these particles. Several matters, including the issuance of environmental protection licenses for the power plant, were discussed in detail.The meeting was attended by Committee Members, Hon. Members of Parliament Kings Nelson, Roshan Akmeemana, Attorney-at-Law Chithral Fernando, Susantha Kumara Navaratne, Kitnan Selvaraj and Upul Kithsiri.
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.
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