2023-11-25
News Categories : Committee News
Hon. Nalin Fernando, Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security stated that steps have been taken to import a stock of rice similar to Keeri Samba rice to supply the necessary rice for the upcoming festive season. The Minister mentioned this at the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Trade, Commerce and Food Security which met in Parliament recently (Nov. 23).
Further commenting on the said, the Minister stated that the main and large-scale paddy mill owners of the country have taken measures to alleviate the situation where a shortage of Keeri Samba and samba rice has been artificially created by hiding the stocks without releasing them to the market. Accordingly, the Minister also stated that a system will be designed to empower the business fraternity by focusing on the issues faced by the small and medium scale paddy mill owners.
The Minister stated that it is reported that there is a shortage of sugar in the local market due to the concealment of sugar stocks post setting a maximum retail price for sugar and importers have suspended the import of sugar in a situation where it is not possible to distribute sugar in the market. Therefore, the Minister stated that given that there is a risk of having a shortage of sugar stocks, taking all factors into consideration, measures have been taken to remove the maximum retail price imposed on sugar.
Hon. Nalin Fernando stated that Lanka Sathosa has succeeded in providing essential products to the consumers at an affordable price, and with the aim of providing relief to the consumers during the coming festive season, Lanka Sathosa has taken measures to reduce the prices of nearly 400 items including essential food items.
Furthermore, according to the Minister's assurance to relaunch the Mahapola Higher Education Trust Fund and Trade Fair, which was started by late Hon. Lalith Athulathmudali. Accordingly, arrangements have been made to hold the Mahapola Higher Education Trust Fund and Trade Fair from 13.12.2023 to 17.12.2023 at the Ja-Ela Municipal Council Grounds, the Minister said.
Ministers, Memebrs of Parliament, the secretary to the Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Food Safety and the respective of officials representing the relevant institutions were present at the Committee meeting held.
2026-07-16
The Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) extensively reviewed the Auditor General's Reports relating to the Department of Examinations of Sri Lanka for the years 2021 to 2024, as well as its current performance.The discussion took place when the Committee met in Parliament under the chairmanship of its Chair, Hon. Member of Parliament Kabir Hashim.During the meeting, the Committee focused on a number of matters, including the conduct of examinations and the process of releasing examination results, the use of information technology systems, human resource management, procurement procedures, the submission of annual reports to Parliament, and the implementation of the recommendations of the Auditor General.Officials also briefed the Committee on the measures taken to further enhance the Department's current performance and service efficiency, as well as the programmes scheduled to be implemented in the future.The Committee also discussed the action taken in response to the observations of the Auditor General and instructed the officials to take the necessary steps to expedite the implementation of the remaining recommendations.The meeting was attended by Committee Members Hon. Deputy Ministers Nalin Hewage and Sugath Thilakarathna, and Hon. Members of Parliament Chanaka Madugoda, Dr. M. L. A. M. Hizbullah, Hector Appuhamy, T. K. Jayasundara, Chandana Sooriyarachchi, Lal Premanath, Ruwanthilaka Jayakody, Dr. Janaka Senarathna and Sunil Rathnasiri.
2026-07-16
Parliamentary Caucus for Youth focused on the importance of obtaining the views and proposals of young people on the Draft National Youth Policy.The matter was discussed at the sixth meeting of the Parliamentary Forum for Youth, held recently in Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara.During the meeting, an extensive discussion was held on the Draft National Youth Policy. Attention was also drawn to obtaining the views and proposals of the Members of the Caucus with a view to incorporating the needs and aspirations of young people into the policy in a more effective manner.It was further emphasised that the Parliamentary Caucus for Youth will continue to facilitate the meaningful inclusion of the voices of young people in the policy formulation process.The meeting was attended by Hon. Members of Parliament and officials.
2026-07-16
The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education recently discussed and approved the final report of the Committee appointed to make recommendations for the establishment of an Education Council in Sri Lanka which had been endorsed by the Sub-Committee on the Establishment of an Education Council.The approval was granted at the meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education held in Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.During the meeting, the Chair of the Sub-Committee, Hon. Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe, presented the report to the Committee. The report incorporates the observations and recommendations made following a comprehensive study conducted by the panel of experts appointed by the Ministry to formulate recommendations for the establishment of an Education Council in Sri Lanka.Thereafter, the Committee sought the views and proposals of its members on the contents of the report. Following an extensive discussion, the Ministerial Consultative Committee approved the report.The meeting was attended by Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Members of Parliament, and officials of the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education.
2026-07-10
The Committee on High Posts, which met in Parliament recently (Jul. 08), has granted its approval for the appointment of Mr. D.P. Wickramasingha as the Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation.The meeting was chaired by the Hon. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and was attended by Hon. Ministers Bimal Rathnayake and Dr. Upali Pannilage, as well as Hon. Members of Parliament Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe, Rishad Bathiudeen, K. Kader Mastan, Kumara Jayakody, Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan, and Attorney-at-Law Chamindrani Kiriella.
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
