2024-03-13
News Categories : Committee News
The Committee on Public Finance informed the Secretary to the Ministry of the Investment Promotion to intervene with immediate effect to arrive at a decision regarding a duty-free shopping mall to be established in the port city of Colombo, as the opinion of the Attorney General and the opinion of the Commission are contradicting with each other.
This was stated at the Committee on Public Finance Chaired by the Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva, Member of Parliament which met yesterday (Mar. 12) in Parliament focusing on the legal authority of the Port City Economic Commission to establish a duty-free shopping mall.
Ms. Anoja Herath, Acting Secretary of the Ministry of Investment Promotion stated that the new regulations related to a duty-free shopping complex have been submitted to the cabinet for approval. The Committee Chair also stated that the Attorney General has informed that the Commission does not have the authority to specify duty-free goods up to 5000 dollars. In such a light, the Chair stated that a private law firm hired by the Port City Commission has informed the Committee on Public Finance in a letter that the Port City Commission has full legal powers to legislate for a duty-free shopping mall and that the opinion of the Attorney General is wrong. It was discussed that it is concerning to have been notified that the opinion of the Attorney General is wrong through a private law firm and that exercise the power to make laws without the approval of the Parliament is also concerning.
Officials of the Attorney General's Department who were present at the meeting stated that although the Commission has the power to make laws, it does not have such unfettered powers.
The Committee was also questioned at length about the process of purchasing goods from the duty-free mall, its practicality and impact. Accordingly, the Chair also informed to conduct a comprehensive study and report on the possible impact on the business entities of the sale of goods in Sri Lanka and the impact on the tax process in relation to the Ministry of Finance.
Furthermore, the Chair of the Committee on Public Finance stated that given the context where the Committee had paid attention to this matter previously, not granting approval, it has paved way for the establishment of the duty-free shopping complex more accurately and that the Committee on Public Finance can be pleased in that regard.
The Committee Chair also expressed his displeasure that the Chairman of the Port City Economic Commission did not appear in the recent meetings of the Committee. The officials of the Commission stated that if the Chairman is specifically informed to attend, the Chairman will attend. They also said that the Chairman did not attend because a ceremony was being held under the patronage of the Prime Minister.
However, the Committee Chairman pointed out that the participation of the Chairman and the members of the Commission is important to discuss certain important issues, and thus, it should be looked into. It was also stated that different Commission members appear before the Committee and at least three members out of the 7 members of the Commission should participate in the Committee on Public Finance.
Furthermore, the attention of the Committee was drawn to the non-appointment of a permanent officer for the position of Director General of the Commission.
Furthermore, the Committee pointed out that although the Attorney General has informed that it is against the law to grant temporary licenses for the land parcels of the city, it will continue to happen. The Committee pointed out that relevant steps should be taken to legalize the process of granting temporary licenses. As the Committee had given related recommendations to take relevant steps previously, it was informed to take relevant measures within a week.
Moreover, after taking into consideration the gazette related to the amendments made in the regulations related to the control of the development of the port city, approval was granted.
State Ministers Hon. Anupa Pasqual, Hon. (Dr.) Seetha Arambepola, Memebrs of Parliament Hon. Duminda Dissanayake, Hon. Mayantha Dissanayake, Hon. (Dr.) Nalaka Godahewa, officials from the Attorney General's Department, Colombo Port City Economic Commission and Ministry of Investment Promotion were also present at this Committee meeting held.
2026-11-14
The financial crisis faced by SriLankan Airlines, frequent flight delays, debt burden and delays in procurement processes for acquiring new aircraft were discussed extensively at the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development.These matters were discussed when the Committee met recently in Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. S. M. Marikkar, Member of Parliament.During the meeting, concerns were raised over the inadequacy of the airline’s existing fleet of 23 aircraft, which are approximately 12 years old. Technical issues and operational delays arising from the ageing fleet were also discussed. It was pointed out that a technical fault or any other disruption involving a single aircraft could affect the entire flight network due to the limited availability of alternative aircraft.The Committee also focused on the failure of conventional procurement processes previously undertaken to acquire aircraft and the lengthy delays associated with them. It was stated that a special set of procurement guidelines had been prepared for the purchase of aircraft and related equipment, and arrangements were being made to gazette these guidelines. It was further revealed that a dedicated procurement unit had been established at the Ministry level to directly oversee the procurement process.Under the new procurement guidelines, plans are underway to expand the airline’s fleet. It is expected that one new narrow-body aircraft and two wide-body aircraft will be added to the fleet by next June. Officials also stated that increasing the fleet to at least 29 aircraft by 2029 is one of the key targets of the five-year plan.It was explained that several measures had been taken through the General Treasury to improve the financial position of SriLankan Airlines, including the takeover of outstanding bank loans and bond-related debt. Attention was also drawn to reducing aircraft leasing costs, managing fuel expenditure and implementing commercial strategies to increase the airline’s revenue.The impact of the prevailing crisis in the Middle East, rising fuel prices and competition from international airlines on SriLankan Airlines’ operations and revenue was also discussed.Furthermore, it was stated that the committee appointed by the Government to restructure SriLankan Airlines was considering several options, including attracting new investors, establishing a public-private partnership, or retaining the airline under State ownership while bringing its operations to a level where it could cover its costs.Accordingly, the Committee instructed the relevant authorities to submit a comprehensive report to Parliament and the Ministry before November 30, outlining the measures required to bring SriLankan Airlines to a cost-recovery level within the next two to three years.Hon. Members of Parliament Ajith P. Perera, Nalin Bandara Jayamaha, Ravindra Bandara, Manjula Suweera Arachchi, Chathura Galappaththi, Dhanushka Ranganath, Jagath Vithana, Shantha Padma Kumara Subasinghe and Attorney-at-Law Geetha Herath also attended the Committee meeting.
2026-11-14
The Committee on Ways and Means held an extensive discussion on Sri Lanka’s tariff policies and the current status of trade agreements. The meeting was held under the Chairmanship of Hon. Vijesiri Basnayake, Member of Parliament at Parliament recently.Mr. Somasena Mahadiulwewa, Director General (Acting) of the Department of Commerce of Sri Lanka, provided a detailed explanation to the Committee on these matters. The discussion focused on the current status of Sri Lanka’s bilateral and multilateral trade agreements and measures to move them forward.The Committee stressed the importance of conducting feasibility studies on trade agreements that are currently under negotiation and taking the necessary steps to ensure that these discussions continue.Hon. Deputy Ministers Chathuranga Abeysinghe and Eranga Weeraratne, and Hon. Members of Parliament Ashoka Sapumal Ranwala, Thilina Samarakoon, Champika Hettiarachchi and Chathura Galappaththi, among others, also participated in the Committee meeting.
2026-11-13
The Prevention of Foreign Terrorist Fighters Bill received the approval of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations.The Bill was considered and approved when the Sectoral Oversight Committee met recently in Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament (Attorney-at-Law) Lakmali Hemachandra. The Bill has been presented to give effect to United Nations Security Council Resolution 2178, adopted on 24 September 2014, which addresses the prevention and suppression of the threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters, and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.The Bill was presented to Parliament for its First Reading on 20 October by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism.Officials explained to the Committee that legal action could be instituted in Sri Lanka under this Act in cases where an offence has been committed within or outside Sri Lanka by a Sri Lankan citizen or a citizen of another country, provided that the act in question also constitutes an offence under the law of the relevant country.Officials further informed the Committee that engaging in terrorist activities, planning or preparing such activities, participating in them, as well as providing or receiving terrorist training, have been defined as offences under the proposed Act.The officials also emphasized that these legal provisions had not been introduced on an ethnic basis or with the intention of targeting Sri Lankans residing overseas.Following an extensive discussion, the Committee approved the Bill. However, Hon. Member of Parliament Sivagnanam Shritharan, a member of the Committee, expressed his opposition to the Bill.Hon. Members of Parliament Suranga Rathnayake, Thilina Samarakoon, Wijesiri Basnayake and Sivagnanam Shritharan, among others, attended the Committee meeting. Government officials representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, the Ministry of Defence, the Attorney General’s Department and the Legal Draftsman’s Department were also present.
2026-11-13
Salary anomalies arising when teachers are appointed to the Sri Lanka Principals’ Service were discussed at length at a subcommittee appointed by the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Manpower and Human Capital.These matters were discussed when the subcommittee met recently under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Sunil Rajapaksa.Representatives of trade unions of the Sri Lanka Principals’ Service and officials representing the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development participated in the meeting.Trade union representatives pointed out that one of the main reasons for these salary anomalies was the fact that the transition from the Teachers’ Service to the Principals’ Service was treated as a “new appointment” rather than a promotion.They further noted that the situation was exacerbated by the significant difference in salary increments when teachers in Grade I of the Teachers’ Service are appointed to Grade III of the Principals’ Service.They also pointed out that although an adjustment allowance had been granted to compensate for the salary difference arising from the appointment to the Principals’ Service, a further salary disparity emerges over time. This is because officers do not receive the higher salary increments, they would have been entitled to had they remained in the Teachers’ Service.It was further emphasized that this situation has discouraged senior and experienced teachers serving in Grades I and II-I of the Teachers’ Service from sitting for the Principals’ Service examination and joining the Principals’ Service.The Chairman of the Subcommittee stated that, having considered the matters presented to the Committee, steps would be taken to submit the relevant recommendations to the Salaries and Pensions Commission for Public Officers.In addition, the Subcommittee decided to hold discussions with the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, and the Director General of Establishments to address other issues faced by officers serving in the Principals’ Service.Hon. Members of Parliament Abubakar Athambawa, Sugath Wasantha de Silva and Chanaka Madugoda also attended the meeting.
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