2023-10-19
The Committee on Public Finance (COPF) convened recently (Oct. 17) to address critical matters pertaining to the importation of 'soap noodles' for soap production and to consider the Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act No. 13 of 1989. The meeting, held under the chairmanship of Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva, Member of Parliament, saw significant developments and approvals.
The Committee on Public Finance deliberated on the Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act No. 13 of 1989, and after a comprehensive discussion on the report submitted by the Ministry of Finance (MoF), approved the proposed measures to be implemented under the said order.
In previous discussions, concerns were raised about the importation of 'soap noodles' for soap production. It was revealed that some companies have been importing palm oil fatty acids, which, due to recent changes in customs duty, are now subject to a 24% tax. In response to this, certain multinational companies have turned to importing palmitic and lauric acids, enjoying lower tax rates, as substitutes for soap noodle production. The report by the Industrial Technology Institute of Sri Lanka (ITISL) outlines, and as stated by MoF officials, there isn't a major technological investment or difference in producing soap from palmitic and lauric acids compared to ‘soap noodles’. Thus, the question arose whether these multinational companies were committing fraud by importing these acids at cheaper rates or exploiting a loophole in the system, allowing them to import the acids at a significantly lower cost than importing soap noodles directly.
Consequently, the Committee has suggested that the MoF verify the report by ITISL and provide their verifications. Furthermore, with the addition of the new tax approved by the Committee, the COPF has requested the MoF to monitor monthly revenue generated through this tax and assess the extent of price fluctuations in the soap market. These measures aim to ensure transparency, fairness, and accountability in the soap production sector.
During the Committee meeting, the Budget Estimates for the National Audit Office for the year 2024 were also reviewed and approved by the Committee. All COPF members agreed that these measures are essential for the efficient operation and oversight of the National Audit Office.
State Minister Hon. (Dr.) Suren Raghavan, Hon. (Dr.) (Mrs.) Seetha Arambepola Members of Parliament Hon. Chandima Weerakkodi, Hon. Nimal Lanza, Hon. Premnath C. Dolawatte, Hon. Madhura Withanage, Hon. Patali Champika Ranawaka, Hon. Mayantha Dissanayake, Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna, Hon. Isuru Dodangoda, Hon. Wajira Abeywardana, were present at this Committee meeting held.
2026-09-18
Hon. Member of Parliament Sugath Wasantha de Silva, MP (Parliament of Sri Lanka) was awarded the 2026 New Parliamentarian Award in recognition of his contribution to promoting inclusive parliamentary democracy. The award was officially presented to him yesterday (Sep. 17) at the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference held in Cape Town, South Africa.Elected in November 2024 as Sri Lanka's first-ever blind Member of Parliament, he has advanced the principles of disability-inclusive governance through his work as Chair of the Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities. Through cross-institutional collaboration, he has also delivered practical reforms, best exemplified through Sri Lanka's first national participatory budget consultation with persons with disabilities.
2026-09-18
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, has decided to summon representatives of Pradeshiya Sabhas and Municipal Councils before the Committee to examine how local authorities coordinated their response during the disaster situation.Committee members particularly highlighted the need for further investigation into how local authorities, including Pradeshiya Sabhas and Municipal Councils, were involved in official communication and coordination processes during the disaster.At a recent meeting of the Committee held in Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, information was sought from members of the National Council for Disaster Management and the District Secretaries of Kandy and Matale regarding the disaster management process in the Kandy and Matale districts.Accordingly, the Committee focused its attention on the early warning systems, communication among government institutions, and emergency response procedures in response to the heavy rainfall, landslides, and flooding experienced in these areas from 23 to 27 November 2025.The Committee also discussed the need to establish formal written procedures to be followed during emergency disaster situations, conduct disaster preparedness drills regularly, and further improve the efficiency of early warning systems.Committee members, including Hon. Deputy Ministers Major General (Retired) Aruna Jayasekara and Anton Jayakody, and Members of Parliament Attorney-at-Law Anuradha Jayaratne, Rohini Kumari Wijerathne, Kanthasamy Prabu, Ruwan Mapalagama, and Dr. Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam, also participated in the meeting.
2026-09-17
The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Energy Affairs approved the Order relating to the calling for investment proposals for the exploration and development of petroleum resources in Sri Lanka and the formalization of the relevant process.The approval was granted at a meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee held recently (Sep. 11) at Parliament under the chairmanship of Anura Karunathilaka, Hon. Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation and Energy.The Order, made by the Minister of Energy under Section 48 of the Petroleum Resources Act, No. 21 of 2021, read together with Section 17 of the said Act, and approved by the Cabinet of Ministers, was published in the Extraordinary Gazette No. 2497/37 dated 16 July 2026.Under this Order, any person seeking to explore or develop petroleum resources in one or more identified blocks is required to submit an investment proposal together with payment of the administrative fee specified in the relevant invitation for bids.Deputy Minister of Energy Arkam Illyas, Members of Parliament, officials of the Ministry of Energy, and other officials participated in the meeting.
2026-09-17
Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Hon. Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, emphasized that universities must take the necessary measures to ensure that victim students have confidence in the investigations being conducted into incidents of ragging at universities.This matter was discussed at a meeting of the Subcommittee on Higher Education, convened under the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, which was held at Parliament under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister.The meeting included an extensive discussion on measures to be taken regarding vacancies in the higher education sector, particularly at universities, as well as incidents of ragging.The Prime Minister pointed out that universities have a moral responsibility to prevent and control ragging and emphasized that students subjected to ragging must have confidence in the investigative procedures currently in place at universities.Accordingly, the Prime Minister stressed that investigations into ragging incidents must be efficient and effective and should be conducted in a manner that enables relief to be provided to victim students without delay.The Prime Minister also inquired from university vice-chancellors about the failure to date to make appointments that have already been approved by the Ministry to fill vacancies at universities. She instructed officials to take the necessary measures to fill the approved vacancies expeditiously.The meeting was attended by Hon. Dr. Upali Pannilage, Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Social Empowerment; Hon. Dr. Madhura Seneviratne, Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education; Hon. Member of Parliament Manjula Sugath Ratnayake; university vice-chancellors; the Chairman of the University Grants Commission; and a number of other representatives.
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
