2024-01-19
News Categories : Committee News
The Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) revealed that more than 14000 farms in Sri Lanka have been closed and this has been identified according to the data received from the provinces. The officials pointed out that most of these farms are small-scale farms and most of these farms have been closed due to animal theft.
COPA pointed out that it is not acceptable to say that farms are closing down only because of the frustration of small-scale farmers due to animal theft. Officials pointed out that the destruction of pastures needed for cattle and land-related problems have also caused this. Thus, the COPA pointed out that the Department of Animal Production and Health should maintain accurate and clear data.
Moreover, the Committee emphasized the importance of actively maintaining the data system by updating the existing data.
This was discussed at the COPA meeting held recently (Jan. 11) under the Chairmanship of Hon. Lasantha Alagiyawanna, to consider the progress of the recommendations given to the Department of Animal Production and Health on July 06, 2023 by the Committee on Public Accounts.
Hon. Mahinda Amaraweera, the Minister in charge of Agriculture, was also involved for this at the invitation of the Committee. The Committee discussed at length the need for local milk in this country and the Minister thus pointed out that the amount of milk received by the Milco company on a daily basis has greatly decreased.
Furthermore, attention was also paid to the preparation of the national policy related to milk production, which was discussed in the previous Committee meeting, and the officials present pointed out that this national policy has now been prepared and it has been forwarded to the Cabinet for approval.
Moreover, the Committee drew attention regarding the death of 104 goats imported from Australia in Embuldanda and Thelahera goat breeding centers. As this was discussed at the last Committee meeting, it was necessary to inquire about the progress of releasing these goats into the field. Thus, the officials pointed out that within a month these remaining animals are ready to be released into the field. The Committee Chair also recommended that a report be given to the Committee in this regard.
The implementation of the artificial insemination programme was focused on at length.
State Minister Hon. Diana Gamage, Members of Parliament Hon. Tissa Attanayake, Hon. A.L.M. Athaullah, Hon. Ashok Abeysinghe, and Hon. Weerasumana Weerasinghe were present at the Committee meeting held.
2026-06-18
A meeting of the Women Parliamentarians Caucus was held in Parliament recently to discuss the importance of incorporating Gender-Responsive Budgeting into Sri Lanka’s national budget formulation process and to examine the challenges associated with its implementation.The meeting was chaired by the Chairperson of the Caucus and Hon. Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Saroja Savithri Paulraj. Hon. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya also participated in the discussion.A key concern raised during the discussion was the lack of adequate data and indicators to accurately assess and measure women’s economic contributions within the budgetary process. Drawing on examples of approaches adopted in India and other countries, members of the Caucus underscored the need to identify and address existing systemic and technical gaps in Sri Lanka’s budgeting framework.The Caucus also emphasized the importance of disaggregating data by gender in project reporting and strengthening digital data management systems to support such efforts. It was further noted that identifying relevant gender-related considerations at the initial stages of project design and implementation at the ministerial level would facilitate more effective project analysis, monitoring, and evaluation of outcomes.The need to move away from existing traditional and time-consuming methods towards formal online systems and data-driven analytical tools was also emphasized.The current progress and challenges in integrating Gender-Responsive Budgeting into Sri Lanka’s public financial policy were discussed in detail during the meeting.It was also emphasized that such budgeting should not be limited to nominal percentages in documents, but that the need to establish a formal framework and data system to ensure it has a real and practical impact was also highlighted.The Hon.Deputy Chairperson of Committees Hemalee Weerasekera, Hon. Deputy Minister Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne, Co-Vice Chairpersons of the Caucus, Hon. Members of Parliament Chamindrani Kiriella, Attorney at Law and Samanmalee Gunasinghe, Hon. Members of Parliament Thushari Jayasinghe, Attorney at Law, Krishnan Kaleichelvi, Sagarika Athauda ,Attorney at Law, Nilanthi Kottahachchi, Attorney at Law, Ambika Samivel and Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney at Law, along with a group of officials from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, also participated in the event.
2026-06-17
The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government met recently (Jun. 12) at Parliament under the chairmanship of the Hon. Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, Prof. A.H.M.H. Abayarathna.During the meeting, Members of Parliament discussed a range of issues and proposals relating to their respective electorates, as well as several other matters of public importance.Hon. Members of Parliament and officials were present at the meeting.
2026-06-17
The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs met recently (Jun. 09) at Parliament under the chairmanship of the Hon. Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi.During the meeting, Members of Parliament discussed a number of proposals and issues, including reviewing the progress of discussions initiated with the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education and the Department of Examinations regarding the formulation of regulations to prevent the conduct of private tuition classes on Sunday mornings, thereby facilitating the holding of Dhamma School classes on Sundays.The meeting was attended by Hon. Deputy Ministers, Hon. Members of Parliament and officials.
2026-06-17
The Committee on Public Finance (COPF) granted approval for the Rules published in Extra Ordinary Gazette Notifications No. 2479/54 dated 12 March 2026 and No. 2492/10 dated 09 June 2026, made under the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act, No. 16 of 2023 following its consideration. The said approval was granted when the COPF met in Parliament on 09 June 2026 under the Chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament (Dr.) Harsha de Silva. In the discharge of its functions, including the formulation of monetary policies under the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act, No. 16 of 2023, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka is required to collect statistics and information from external parties. Accordingly, the Rules published in Extraordinary Gazette Notification No. 2479/54 dated 12 March 2025 under the said Act have been made to prescribe the statistics and information to be reported, the persons subject to such reporting requirements, and the administrative measures that may be taken in the occasion of a violation of the relevant requirements. The Rules further restrict the authority to issue notices requiring the submission of statistics and information to authorized officers of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), namely the Deputy Governors, the Head of the Economic Research Department, and the Head of the Department of Census and Statistics.In addition, the Rules provide for safeguards, including ensuring that the information equipped is used solely for the purpose for which it is collected.The Committee also drew attention to the non-publication of certain government debt data by the CBSL. It was observed that such information is currently maintained by the Public Debt Management Office and that there are limitations in reproducing debt statistics in the format previously published by the CBSL. The Committee emphasized the importance of maintaining public access to government debt information through the publications of the CBSL and also noted the delay in the publication of reports relating to the secondary market for government securities.Further, the COPF pointed out that accurately calculating tourism earnings has become a challenge due to the various payment methods used by tourists, and emphasized the need to improve data collection surveys to enhance the accuracy of such estimates.The Committee also granted approval, following due consideration, for the Rules published in Extraordinary Gazette Notification No. 2492/10 dated 09 June 2026 under the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act. These Rules, titled the "Repatriation of Export Proceeds into Sri Lanka Rules, No. 2 of 2026," further amend the existing regulatory framework governing the repatriation of export proceeds into Sri Lanka.Accordingly, every exporter of goods who repatriates export proceeds into Sri Lanka during any given month is required to utilize such proceeds only for permitted payments, and to mandatorily convert the remaining balance into Sri Lankan Rupees on or before the 10th day of the following month. This amendment reduces the three-month period previously allowed under the regulations introduced in 2024 to a deadline of the 10th day of the following month.The CBSL pointed out that, in view of the volatility in the exchange rate and the foreign exchange market, as well as the shortage of foreign exchange liquidity, it had become necessary to reduce the period granted to exporters for converting export proceeds into Sri Lankan Rupees.The Committee pointed out that this measure could potentially affect market confidence and contribute to volatility in the foreign exchange market. In response, CBSL officials stated that the measure had been introduced as a short-term policy tool to address exchange rate volatility and the current shortage of foreign exchange supply, and that it would be relaxed once market conditions stabilize.The Committee also discussed the alleged financial fraud involving NDB Bank. An extensive discussion was held on the relevant technical matters, including the role and responsibilities of the CBSL in relation to the incident. It was decided that the matter would be taken up again following the completion of the ongoing forensic audit.Hon. Deputy Minister (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyaratne, Hon. Deputy Minister Nishantha Jayaweera, and Hon. Members of Parliament Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law, Ravi Karunanayake, M.K.M. Aslam, Nimal Palihena, Wijesiri Basnayake, Sunil Rajapaksha, Thilina Samarakoon, Champika Hettiarachchi, and Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law, together with Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe and other officials, were present at the meeting. A delegation from the House Democracy Partnership (HDP) and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) of the United States Congress, who were in Sri Lanka on a technical assistance mission on “Strengthening Budgetary and Economic Analysis in Parliament,” also attended the committee meeting as observers.
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
