2023-07-10
The three main institutions related to coconut cultivation and industry of the country which are the Coconut Development Authority, Coconut Cultivation Board and Coconut Research Institute were called before COPE held on 06.07.2023 chaired by Hon. (Prof.) Ranjith Bandara. The progress of the implementation of the recommendations given to the said institutions during the COPE meeting held on 21.01.2021 was reviewed.
Accordingly, attention was drawn to the following points.
Develop a common program in consultation with the three institutions to control diseases that may affect coconut cultivation.
Considering it as an emergency situation, a special committee was appointed to control the white fly disease affecting the coconut plantation and the need to prepare a common program was discussed with the three institutions to control the diseases that could affect the coconut plantation. As the Coconut Development Authority has not been involved in the 'National Disaster Management Operational Unit' which has been established so far, the need to involve the institution was also emphasized for this operation.
Officials stated that there is a risk of diseases like this due to the non-application of fertilizer at the right time to coconut cultivation. It was also revealed that the last application of fertilizer to the crops in the lands belonging to the Coconut Cultivation Board was in 2016. The displeasure of the Committee was expressed regarding the non-application of fertilizer to government-owned coconut plantations
The Secretary to the Ministry of Plantation Industries was recommended to inform within two weeks the action to be taken by involving all the three institutions. Accordingly, COPE Chair said that he will inform the Parliament, the Treasury and the President's Secretary about the provision of the necessary resources in this regard.
Instructions to re-implementation of online system to end the monopoly and create transparency in coconut auction
Although a computer software has been prepared for online bidding for the coconut auction, attention was been drawn to the fact that it is currently inactive. It was revealed that this system will enable the auction to be conducted in a more transparent manner and this system was introduced with the aim of preventing the monopoly of a few people in the coconut auction in Sri Lanka. It was also discussed that some officials of the authority expressed their reluctance to implement this online digital system with the cooperation of several brokers. Thus, instructions were given to restore this online system to conduct this auction with more transparency t within three months.
The need to increase domestic coconut oil production and curb substandard imported coconut oil
It was revealed that 187,623 metric tons of coconut oil and 225,510 metric tons of palm oil have been imported for consumption in the country during 2020-2022. Thus, it was discussed that 22% of the coconut oil consumption in the country is met from domestic production and 78% from imported oil, which is a big problem. Furthermore, there was a long discussion about the quality of the imported coconut oil. Accordingly, it was decided to call the relevant institutions including Coconut Development Authority, Consumer Authority, Ministry of Health and carry out a comprehensive investigation.
Payment of an advance of rupees one million to a private firm without a contract to construct a digital billboard.
A contract of nearly Rs.5 million was awarded to a private firm in 2021 without a contract to construct a digital outdoor billboard in front of the Narahenpita head office of the Coconut Development Authority. The Director Finance stated that an amount of rupees one million has been given as an advance and the payment was made under certain influence. Accordingly, the Secretary to the Ministry was instructed to conduct a comprehensive investigation in this matter within two weeks and reveal those responsible. Apart from this, it was also decided to conduct a separate investigation carried out by the Auditor General.
Recruitment of 6 persons by the ex-chairman who did not appear properly appear for interviews
It was also revealed that 6 people who did not properly appear for interviews of the Coconut Cultivation Board were recruited by the former chairman at will. Expressing strong displeasure over this, the Committee informed to give a formal report within two weeks. It was also decided to inform the President's Secretary to take further action in this regard.
Urgent action needed to supply coir for Saudi Arabia's 50 million tree planting project
Since there is a project of planting 50 million trees in Saudi Arabia, there are discussions for the process of procuring the required coir, so the need to get it Sri Lanka was discussed. The need to be more active in this regard was emphasized during the Committee as it is a project that can generate millions of dollars of income for the country.
Attention directed to many other administrative problems and irregularities
The Committee questioned the fact that the activities of Dunkannawa Coir Development and Training Centre which was started in 2006 by the Coconut Development Authority, had been stopped since 2020. As there is a risk of destruction of machinery worth millions of rupees, the Chairman of the authority was ordered to submit a report on this within a month.
In addition, a formal report pertaining to the issues including a loss of Rs.21 million was incurred by adding a portion to the main building of the Coconut Cultivation Board without prior approval, payment of nearly 2 million for the construction of a building for the Coconut Seed Production Unit.
Also, the Committee emphasized the need to increase the legal bond with the institution before the commencement of the research and to recover the loss due to the departure of the research officers of the Coconut Research Board after spending millions of rupees after starting the research.
Members of Parliament Hon. Jagath Pushpakumara, Hon. Shantha Bandara, Hon. Anura Priyadarshan Yapa, Hon. Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Hon. Eran Wickramaratne, Hon. Nimal Lanza, Hon. SMM Muszhaaraff, Hon. Sanjeeva Edirimanna, Hon. Upul Mahendra Rajapaksha, Hon. (Mrs.) Rajika Wickramasinghe, Hon. Madhura Withanage, Hon. (Prof.) Charitha Herath were present at the Committee meeting held.
2026-09-15
The wearing of seat belts will be made mandatory from September 20 for all persons travelling in all seats of vehicles operating on expressways. The Order published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2493/19 dated June 17, 2026, which was introduced to bring an end to the concessionary period granted for compliance with this requirement, has been approved by Parliament.The matter was discussed at length recently at a meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Transport, Highways and Urban Development, chaired by Hon. Bimal Rathnayake, Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, held at Parliament.An amendment to the Motor Traffic (Expressways) Order dated August 3, 2011, published under Gazette No. 1717/14, was introduced through Gazette Notification No. 2455/29 dated September 25, 2025, making the wearing of seat belts mandatory for all persons travelling in vehicles operating on expressways. The measure was introduced with the objective of reducing the number of fatalities resulting from the increasing number of road accidents and minimizing the severity of injuries caused by such accidents.Accordingly, a three-month concessionary period was granted from the date of publication of the Gazette notification for the installation of seat belts in seats that had not been fitted with seat belts by the vehicle manufacturer. This concessionary period ended on December 25, 2025.However, taking into consideration various public requests to further extend the concessionary period to allow vehicle owners additional time to install seat belts, steps were taken to extend the period again from March 20, 2026, to June 19, 2026.The Committee also discussed the inspection of the minimum standards and specifications relating to the technical condition of vehicles used for passenger transport services regulated by the National Transport Commission, Provincial Road Passenger Transport Authorities, or the Sri Lanka Transport Board. This included passenger transport services, school transport services, office transport services, and vehicles engaged in special tours operated on a hired basis, with the objective of ensuring their roadworthiness.The Orders published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2489/22 dated May 19, 2026, introduced for this purpose, have also been approved by Parliament.With the increasing number of motor vehicles in Sri Lanka, the need to ensure road safety, environmental protection, and the technical fitness of vehicles has become increasingly important. During the Committee meeting, it was also noted that studies of road accidents occurring in Sri Lanka have revealed that serious traffic accidents are frequently caused not only by driver errors but also by mechanical defects and vehicle maintenance issues.The Chairperson requested Members of Parliament to take steps to raise awareness among vehicle owners and the general public regarding these matters.The meeting was attended by Dr. Prasanna Gunasena, Hon. Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways; Eranga Gunasekara, Hon. Deputy Minister of Urban Development, along with several Members of Parliament and government officials.
2026-09-14
The Subcommittee on Education Reforms met recently (Sep. 09) in Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education.The meeting focused on the progress of the General Education Reforms and Preschool Education Reforms scheduled to be implemented from 2027.It was stated that, as the initial step in implementing the General Education Reforms, activity books, teacher guides and modules required for Grades 2 and 6 have been prepared, while teacher training programmes are currently being conducted.It was also stated that plans are in place to include seven subjects, including History and Aesthetic Studies, for the G.C.E. Ordinary Level examination; introduce vocational education from Grades 10 and 11; and introduce modules on social cohesion, law and ethics for Grades 12 and 13.It was further announced that a series of awareness programmes on the new education reforms will be conducted in the future.The meeting also revealed that a National Preschool Education Policy has been formulated to formalize preschool education, and that work is underway on activities including the registration of preschools, preparation of curricula and teacher guides, and implementation of teacher training programmes.Hon. Dr. Madura Seneviratne, Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education, along with Members of Parliament and a group of officials, participated in the meeting.
2026-09-08
The Co-Chairs of the Parliamentary Caucus for Open Parliament Initiative stated that steps will be taken to present to Parliament the views and proposals put forward during the “Voice to Policy” dialogue series organized for youth, with the aim of promoting the concept of an Open Parliament.They made these remarks while participating in the “Voice to Policy” programme held last Saturday (Sep. 05) at the Golden Crown Hotel in Kandy for youth in the Kandy District. The Co-Chairs of the Parliamentary Caucus for Open Parliament Initiative, Hon. Minister Prof. Krishantha Abeyasena and Hon. Member of Parliament Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam, participated in the programme.The first programme of the “Voice to Policy” dialogue series was held in the Gampaha District, the second in the Batticaloa District, and the third in the Kandy District. Members of the Caucus, Hon. Members of Parliament S.M. Marikkar, Attorney-at-Law Susanta Dodawatte, Attorney-at-Law Chamindrani Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law Thushari Jayasinghe, Lal Premanath, Major General (Retired) G.D. Sooriyabandara and M.K.M. Aslam, as well as Assistant Secretary-General of Parliament Mr. Hansa Abeyratne and others, participated in the programme held in Kandy.The young people who participated in the programme representing the Kandy District identified the challenges they face under five key themes: economic opportunities and employment; public administration and accountability; social inclusion and justice; political participation and representation; and other matters.They also proposed solutions to the identified issues and identified the relevant government institutions that could be held responsible for addressing them. The young participants subsequently presented the issues and proposals to members of the Caucus. Based on these proposals, an extensive dialogue was held between representatives of the Parliamentary Caucus for Open Parliament Initiative and the youth of the Kandy District.Members of the Caucus stated that their objective is to bring the views and proposals of youth to Parliament. They further assured that steps would be taken to submit to Parliament a report containing the views and proposals presented during the “Voice to Policy” programmes conducted to date, and to take the necessary measures to further engage young people with parliamentary processes and activities.The programme was sponsored by CII (Coalition for Inclusive Impact).
2026-09-07
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 recently questioned senior officials of the Sri Lanka Police who were involved in responding to the disaster at the time.The questioning took place when the Committee met recently at Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. Minister (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa.Accordingly, a group of Senior Superintendents of Police and Superintendents of Police from the districts affected by Cyclone Ditwah were summoned before the Committee.Former Member of Parliament Nimal Piyatissa was also summoned before the Committee. He was called to provide detailed information regarding comments he made to the media concerning the measures taken in response to the cyclone at the time it occurred.Members of Parliament serving on the Committee also participated in the meeting.
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