2023-10-13
News Categories : Committee News
The Elkaduwa Plantation Ltd was summoned before the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) which met on 06.10.2023 Chaired by Hon. (Prof.) Ranjith Bandara, Member of Parliament.
The Auditor General's report and current performance for the years 2018 and 2019 were examined at the Committee meeting held.
Attention was paid to the following;
The cost of litigation for the theft of two kilos of pepper worth Rs.400 is Rs. 274,000, COPE reveal
It was disclosed that the cost of litigation for the theft of two kilos of pepper worth Rs.400 is Rs. 274,000. The COPE Members who were present inquired on the matter to which the officials present, accepted that this is true. However, the officials pointed out that this case was filed around the year 2014. They mentioned that the current officials in the institution have no relation to the matter. Accordingly, COPE was of the view that necessary action should be taken against the officials who were involved in the filing of this case. Furthermore, the COPE Chair mentioned that the officials including the Board of Directors during this period will be summoned before COPE in the future.
Focus on the unpaid Employees' Provident Funds and Employees' Trust Funds to the employees of the institution
COPE drew its attention to the unpaid employees' provident funds and employees' trust funds, to the institution’s employees. Accordingly, it was disclosed that from the year 2022 to the year 2016, employees' trust funds of 9,284,933 rupees, employee provident funds of 113,618,008 rupees, provident funds of plantation workers of 5,828,972 rupees and provident funds of Ceylon planters of 8,370,625 rupees have not been paid. The officials present mentioned that 215 million rupees out of this amount have been paid within the last 3 years. The officials mentioned that the remainder will also be paid monthly in future. Accordingly recommended to give the COPE Committee an accurate plan on how to pay this amount within 3 months.
Thus, COPE recommended to provide an accurate plan on how to pay this amount within 3 months.
COPE looks into to how the money collected from those who visit the Sembuwatta Estate reservoir is used
COPE paid attention on how the money collected from those who visit the Sembuwatta Estate reservoir is been used. It was also mentioned that the amount of money collected from the people visiting the reservoir through tickets is approximately 4 million rupees per month. Officials present stated that they are working to credit this money to a separate account. Accordingly, the Committee Chair recommended that a report be given to COPE in this regard.
COPE looks into the recruitment of an unqualified official for the post of HR Manager on contract basis
Attention was also drawn on the recruitment of an official who did not meet the qualifications for the position of Human Resource Manager under contract basis. Furthermore, COPE pointed out that there are a lot of allegations of corruption and irregularities related to this official. The officials present here pointed out that this officer was appointed in the year 2019 and the current Chairman was not involved in this appointment. Furthermore, the officials who were present mentioned that this person is on bail related to 136 cases. Accordingly, COPE decided to summon the chairman and the officials who were present during the period when this appointment was made.
Attention paid regarding the non-appointment of a permanent officer for the post of General Manager
COPE also drew its attention to the non-appointment of a permanent officer for the post of General Manager. The officials who were present mentioned that even when the new management was appointed, an Acting General Manager was covering the service.
However, due to the economic situation in the country during the last period, it was not possible to make this appointment, the officials said. Accordingly, the officials stated that this appointment will be made within the next 2 to 3 months.
Focus in respect of functioning and defunct factories owned by the company.
COPE also looked into the functioning of the factories owned by the company and the factories which were defunct. The officials present here pointed out that two factories have been leased and it will cost a lot of money to re-operate the factories that were closed 20 to 25 years ago. Furthermore, the officials informed that there is a litigation related to the factory.
Furthermore, COPE inquired regarding the delay in financial reports. Furthermore, within 4 months, this institution will be summoned before COPE, the COPE Chair said.
State Ministers Hon. Shantha Bandara, Hon. Indika Anuruddha Herath, Members of Parliament Hon. Eran Wickramaratne, Hon. S. M. Marikkar, Hon. Sanjeeva Edirimanna, Hon. Jagath Kumara Sumithraarachchi, Hon. Upul Mahendra Rajapaksha, Hon. M. Rameshwaran, Hon. (Major) Sudarshana Denipitiya, Hon. Madhura Withanage were present at the Committee meeting held here.
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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