2024-06-27
News Categories : Committee News
The Committee on Public Accounts expressed its displeasure for not taking formal action regarding a financial fraud committed by a management assistant who worked in the Minuwangoda Divisional Secretariat. Between 2011 and July 2013, the said management assistant defrauded more than 1.4 million of public funds. However, it was disclosed that the disciplinary order was given in 2015 for this fraud which was identified in 2013. Following the related disciplinary investigation, the committee expressed its displeasure that the officer was reinstated in the service and that the related defrauded amount was collected in installments.
The following matters were discussed when the Committee on Public Accounts met in Parliament recently (Jun. 20) to check the reports of the Auditor General and the current performance of the Gampaha District Secretariat for the years 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Officials of the National Audit Office pointed out that the lack of regular supervision of the concerned officer's work was the main cause of this fraud. The officials of the Gampaha District Secretariat pointed out that the retirement gratuity of the said officer has also been completely cut off in order to settle the relevant fraud. However, the audit officers pointed out the need to first remove the officials and take relevant measures when they identify the officials who are defrauding public money in such way, and pointed out that not doing so will lead to a wrong precedent.
Accordingly, the Committee advised the officials to act in a way that the officials do not get the opportunity to commit such frauds again and to take strict disciplinary measures regarding the officials who commit frauds.
Furthermore, there was a discussion at length about the fraudulent lay hold of pension money after the death of the beneficiary in the Gampaha district. Accordingly, it was disclosed in the committee that the 13 Divisional Secretariats in Gampaha district have paid more than 4 crores in rupees to 419 pensioners who were receiving pensions as of 31st December 2023. The audit officers pointed out that these payments were made due to delay in notifying the deceased, failure to temporarily stop the pensions of pensioners who do not provide life certificates, non-adherence to pension circulars and other reasons. Accordingly, the committee advised to identify the irregularities and issues occurring in the payment of pensions and take steps to resolve them promptly.
Furthermore, the committee also discussed regarding the inactive projects in Gampaha district. The audit officers pointed out that due to the fact that the money allocated for various projects in the budget is not used in the correct time periods, problematic situations arise.
Accordingly, the committee chair instructed to send a report to the committee regarding the amount of money spent on the partially completed projects and the needs of the partially completed projects.
Furthermore, the current situation regarding the disappearance of more than 1 million rupees in the safe of the Mahara Divisional Secretariat in 2014 was also examined. The committee questioned the officials regarding the fact that even after 10 years of the irregularity, the money has not yet been collected from the responsible officials. Accordingly, the committee instructed the officials to remind the concerned department regarding the matter and take action to recover the amount lost to the government.
Government officials including State Ministers Hon. Mohan Priyadarshana De Silva, Hon. Prasanna Ranaweera, Members of Parliament Hon. Jayantha Ketagoda, Hon. Madhura Withanage, Hon. M. W. D. Sahan Pradeep Withana, Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya, were present at the Committee meeting held.
2026-04-02
The Committee on High Posts has approved the appointments of four Ministry Secretaries.The approval was granted when the Committee met in Parliament recently (Mar. 20) under the chairmanship of Hon. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.Accordingly, the Committee approved the appointments of Air Vice Marshall H.S.S Thuyyacontha (Retd.) as the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Mr. L Mohamed Navavi as the Secretary to the Ministry of Science and Technology, Mrs. W.M.D.T Wickramasinghe as the Secretary to the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs and Mr. W.W.S Mangala as the Secretary to the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation.
2026-03-31
A Parliamentary delegation from the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, led by Hon. S. M. Marikkar, Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Committee, undertook a Parliamentary Study Tour to New Delhi and Mumbai from 22nd to 27th March 2026, following an invitation extended by the High Commission of India.The Sri Lankan delegation comprised the Chief Opposition Whip Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka, Members of Parliament Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha, Hon. Manjula Suraweera Arachchi, Hon. K. Ilankumaran, Hon. Chathura Galappaththi, Hon. Ravindra Bandara, Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana, Hon. Shantha Pathma Kumara Subasingha, Hon. (Mrs.) Geetha Herath, Attorney at Law, Hon. Kins Nelson and Hon. Dharmapriya Wijesinghe. Parliament staff members attached to the office of the Sectoral Oversight Committees who were also present included Assistant Director (Administration) Mr. K. P. Chandana, Principal Officer Ms. S. W. T. R. De Silva and Parliamentary Officer Ms. W. K. A. M. M. M. Arthanayaka. The delegation arrived in New Delhi on 22nd March 2026 and commenced official engagements on the following day. The programme included a meeting with the Foreign Secretary of India and a floral tribute at Prerna Sthal in the Parliament House Complex. The delegation also paid a courtesy call on the Hon. Om Birla, Speaker of the Lok Sabha.An orientation session on the Indian Parliamentary system was conducted, providing valuable insights into institutional structures and legislative processes. The delegation further held productive interactions with the Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture, as well as the Standing Committee on Housing and Urban Affairs.On 24th March 2026, the delegation participated in a series of technical and policy-focused engagements, including a session on India’s “PM Gati Shakti” National Master Plan. Visits were made to the National Highways Authority of India and the Solar Energy Corporation of India, alongside discussions with the Confederation of Indian Industry. The delegation also engaged with the India-Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship Group, further strengthening bilateral Parliamentary relations.Continuing its programme on 25th March 2026, the delegation visited the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation to study urban mass transit systems and best practices in public transportation. This was followed by an interaction with the New Delhi Municipal Council on Smart City initiatives, focusing on urban governance, digital infrastructure, and sustainable urban development. The delegation also met with officials of the Jal Jeevan Mission under the Ministry of Jal Shakti to discuss large-scale water supply management and rural infrastructure development.The programme in Mumbai included visits to key infrastructure and development sites such as the Atal Setu Bridge and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, as well as the Navi Mumbai Airport. The delegation also visited the Power Exchange India Limited and met with the Hon. Chief Minister of Maharashtra.On 27th March 2026, the delegation visited prominent locations including the Gateway of India and Elephanta Caves. The programme also included a meeting with the Hon. Speaker of the Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha and discussions with senior officials responsible for investment promotion and industries, prior to their departure to Colombo.Sri Lanka’s participation in this Parliamentary Study Tour underscored its continued commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation with India and advancing institutional capacity, knowledge exchange, and best practices in infrastructure and strategic development through sustained Parliamentary engagement.
2026-03-30
Progress on the implementation of recommendations issued by the COPA on 06th January 2026 was reviewed Matters relating to the 2024 Auditor General’s Report and current performance were also examined The Department of Archaeology was summoned before the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA), where attention was drawn to the progress made in implementing the recommendations issued at the COPA meeting held on 06th January 2026, as well as to the current performance of the Department.These matters were discussed at the COPA meeting held in Parliament on 19th March 2026 under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Kabir Hashim, to examine the Auditor General’s triennial report for the years 2021–2023, the 2024 Auditor General’s Report, and the current performance of the Department of Archaeology.At its meeting on 06th January 2026, it was recommended that a report on the gazetted and ungazetted antiquities identified by the Department of Archaeology be submitted to the Committee within a month. However, the Auditor General’s Department pointed out that data relating to antiquities not declared by Gazette had still not been submitted to the Committee. Accordingly, the Chair of the Committee instructed that a report be submitted within two weeks, including details of such antiquities, reasons for not publishing them by Gazette, and a proposed timeline for their gazetting.The Committee also focused on the lack of progress in implementing the recommendation to establish a centralized data system for the Department of Archaeology, and instructed that a progress report on this matter be submitted to the Committee.Furthermore, it was revealed that although Cabinet approval stipulates that 25% of the revenue generated by the Central Cultural Fund should be allocated to the Ministry of National Heritage, the Department of Archaeology has been requesting a lower allocation annually. Officials who appeared before the Committee stated that funds allocated through Cabinet approval had remained unutilized, and that there are plans to reduce future allocations requested from the Treasury accordingly.The shortage of vehicles available to the Department was also discussed, with officials noting that this has significantly affected the institution’s performance. The Committee stated that it would take steps to raise this matter with the relevant authorities.The meeting was attended by Committee Member Hon. Deputy Minister Dinindu Saman Hennayake and Hon. Members of Parliament (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah, Hector Appuhamy, Chanaka Madugoda, Chandana Sooriyaarachchi, and Ruwanthilaka Jayakody.
2026-03-30
The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Youth Affairs and Sports has granted approval for the regulations under the “Convention Against Doping in Sports Act.” These regulations have been published in the Extraordinary Gazette No. 2471/51 dated 16 January 2026.The approval was granted at a meeting of the Committee held recently (Mar. 20) in Parliament, under the chairmanship of the Hon. Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage, with the participation of the Hon. Deputy Minister, Dinindu Saman Hennayake.A number of Member Parliamentarians of the Committee, as well as non-member Parliamentarians, were present at the meeting. Officials, including the Secretary to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, also attended the occasion.
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