2024-05-10
News Categories : Committee News
Many administrative weaknesses and irregularities in the University of Sabaragamuwa were revealed at COPE. Accordingly, the Secretary to the Ministry of Education was recommended to investigate these irregularities and prepare a report promptly and present it to the COPE. COPE further pointed out that following this report, it will be handed over to the CID to start investigations.
Particular pertaining to the said was revealed when the Committee on Public Enterprises met in Parliament recently (May 08) under the chairmanship of Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardana, Member of Parliament.
Prior to the discussion regarding the University of Sabaragamuwa, attention of the Committee was directed towards the 5 newly established medical faculties. Accordingly, it was disclosed that the functioning of the 4 faculties of medicine is at a good level and the said university pointed out that the facilities of the Kalutara hospital are adequate for the clinical activities of the students of the faculty of medicine attached to the University of Moratuwa.
It has been proposed to use the Neville Fernando Hospital for this purpose, but the officials who were present pointed out that there is a financial problem regarding the acquisition of this hospital. Thus, the Committee recommended that a quick decision be taken within two weeks after holding a discussion with the intervention of the President's Secretary, the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance and the relevant ministry officials.
Thereafter, discussion regarding the University of Sabaragamuwa and the progress of the implementation of the orders and recommendations issued by the Committee on Public Enterprises held on November 09th, 2023 was reviewed.
Thus, in the year 2007, to construct the administrative building, Rs. 1,494,543 was borne as initial expenses, but COPE also drew attention to the fact that the construction had not begun. The officials present mentioned that the report prepared by the former Secretary to the Ministry of Education was given to the Auditor General and COPE a few days ago with the signature of the new Secretary. However, although it was recommended to give it within a month with time extended until February 09, 2024, the Committee expressed its displeasure that it took about 6 months to submit this report.
Moreover, the Committee paid attention to the condition of the university playground when it was summoned before COPE in November. COPE has at a previous meeting inquired about the retention of water in the playground, the rough surface due to the application of gravel mixed soil and the bursting of the embankment. According to the said, officials present pointed out that the existing issues have been fixed and completed.
Furthermore, attention was paid to the provision of an advance bond of 72,461,830 rupees while the contractors had defaulted on the construction of the new library building with a contract value of 315,051,433 rupees. Accordingly, COPE recommended that an investigation be conducted under the leadership of the Secretary to the Ministry of Education in this regard.
Irregularities in the purchase of books was also disclosed. Furthermore, many administrative weaknesses and irregularities of this university were discussed and the committee made recommendations to the Secretary of the Ministry of Education to investigate all such matters and prepare a report to be submitted it to this Committee. COPE further stated that following this report, it will be handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department to start investigations.
Government officials, State Ministers Hon. Indika Anuruddha, Hon. Janaka Wakkumbura, Members of Parliament Hon. Upul Mahendra Rajapaksha, Hon. (Major) Sudarshana Denipitiya, and Hon. Madhura Withanage were present at this committee meeting held.
2026-05-26
The Central Provincial Council was summoned before the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) to examine the Auditor General’s triennial report for the years 2021–2023, the Auditor General’s report for 2024, and the Council’s current performance.The committee meeting, chaired by Hon. Member of Parliament Kabir Hashim, was held recently at Parliament.During the meeting, attention was drawn to the progress made in implementing recommendations issued at the COPA meeting held on 5th September, 2019. Discussions focused on the incident involving the destruction of files belonging to the Central Provincial Passenger Transport Authority.It was revealed that directives issued by the relevant court and the Presidential Secretary regarding the incident had not been implemented by the responsible authorities. In this regard, the Committee Chairman instructed officials of the Central Provincial Council to submit all reports and correspondence related to the incident to the committee.In addition, the committee discussed an incident involving the unlawful transfer of a rest house owned by the Road Development Authority to a third party in violation of lease conditions. Accordingly, the Chairman instructed officials to identify the officers responsible for making the relevant decisions and to submit a report to the committee on the legal action being taken in connection with the matter.The committee also held extensive discussions on irregularities identified by the National Audit Office in road development and passenger transport services in the Central Province, as well as issues affecting the health sector.Expressing his views during the meeting, the Chairman emphasized the importance of expediting ongoing investigations within institutions and focusing on follow-up action. He further stressed that if a state institution generates profits, such profits should accrue to the government, and if such revenue is used for institutional activities, established legal provisions and procedures must be strictly followed.The meeting was attended by committee members Hon. Members of Parliament Dr. M.L.A.M. Hizbullah, Ruwanthilaka Jayakody, Attorney-at-Law Thushari Jayasinghe, Sunil Rathnasiri, Oshani Umanga, Susantha Kumara Navarathna, Ajantha Gammeddage, Chanaka Madugoda, T.K. Jayasundara and Lal Premanath along with a group of government officials.
2026-05-26
The Parliamentary Select Committee of Parliament to look into and report to Parliament on the matter of selecting the Electoral System under which the Provincial Council Elections should be held and submit its proposals and recommendations in that regard, recently sought views from the Attorney General’s Department and members of the Election Commission.The discussion took place when the committee met in Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. Minister Vijitha Herath.During the meeting, the Attorney General’s Department briefed the committee on the existing legal obstacles to holding Provincial Council elections and the possible ways in which such obstacles could be removed to facilitate the conduct of the elections.The Election Commission informed the committee that it is prepared to conduct Provincial Council elections at any time under the legal provisions enacted by Parliament based on the committee’s recommendations.The meeting was attended by Hon. Deputy Ministers Arun Hemachandra, Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law and Muneer Mulaffer as well as committee members Hon. Members of Parliament Mano Ganesan, Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam, Dharmapriya Wijesinghe, Samanmali Gunasinghe and Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi. The committee member M. Nizam Kariapper, P.C also participated virtually.
2026-05-25
The Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus has decided to examine the ongoing legal proceedings and matters relating to the protection of the girl involved in the sexual abuse incident reported from the Anuradhapura area.This decision was taken during the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus meeting chaired by Hon. Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj, held in Parliament today (May 25). Accordingly, a special discussion has been scheduled for 05.06.2026 with the participation of relevant institutions including the Sri Lanka Police, the Attorney General’s Department, the National Child Protection Authority and the Department of Probation and Child Care Services.In addition to the incident, which has generated significant public concern, the discussion is also expected to focus extensively on strengthening the laws and empowering the institutions required to prevent all forms of violence against women and children.Meanwhile, it was also decided to appoint a subcommittee under the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus to oversee the future legal proceedings relating to the Anuradhapura girl’s case and to identify the institutional and legal reforms required in the country to eliminate violence against women and children.The subcommittee will be led by the deputy co-chairs of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus Hon. Members of Parliament Samanmali Gunasinghe and Attorney-at-Law Chamindrani Kiriella. The other members of the subcommittee will be Hon. Hemali Weerasekara, Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathna, Attorney-at-Law Sagarika Athauda, Attorney-at-Law Nilanthi Kottahachchi, Attorney-at-Law Nilusha Lakmali Gamage, Attorney-at-Law Thushari Jayasinghe, Attorney-at-Law Anushka Thilakarathna, Attorney-at-Law Hasara Liyanage, Attorney-at-Law Hiruni Wijesinghe and Attorney-at-Law Lakmali Hemachandra.
2026-05-25
The progress of implementing the new education reforms was reviewed at a recent meeting of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Manpower and Human Capital, chaired by Hon. Member of Parliament Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi. During the meeting held in Parliament on the 19th, extensive discussions were held on the implementation of the new education reforms.Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Mr. Nalaka Kaluwewa, briefed the committee on the manner in which the new education reforms are being implemented.The meeting was attended by Hon. Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa, committee members, provincial education secretaries, school principals, and several other officials.
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
