2024-07-12
News Categories : Committee News
The Committee on Public Enterprises disclosed that a 6-acre land belonging to the Urban Development Authority located at James Peiris Mawatha, Colombo 02 was leased for 12 billion rupees for 99 years in 2019 without the approval of the Board of Directors. when drafting the lease agreement related to this land, it was disclosed that in addition to the lease conditions submitted and approved by the Board of Directors, other conditions were included that has not been approved by the Board of Directors.
However, it was disclosed at the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) that disciplinary investigations are underway against the Legal Director regarding the drafting of the relevant agreements and the development of the particular land has been at a halt thus far.
Details pertaining to the said matter was disclosed when the Committee on Public Enterprises met in Parliament recently (Jul. 9) under the Chairmanship of Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardana, Member of Parliament.
Furthermore, it was also disclosed that the Authority had to bear a loss of 330 million rupees due to the leasing of 2 acres 2 roods and 21.4 perches land bordering Fort D. R. Wijewardana Mawatha owned by the Urban Development Authority without the formal approval of the Board of Directors. Accordingly, the Chair instructed the officials to send a formal report on these incidents to the Committee within two weeks.
Presenting facts, the officials of the National Audit Department pointed out that they have identified the problematic situations in the accounting system of the Urban Development Authority. The officials pointed out that the manner in which the values of the project lands owned by the Authority have been assessed is also questionable. The officials of the audit department pointed out that the ownership of the land on which the Parliament complex stand is still held by the Urban Development Authority and gave instructions to transfer ownership of the land to the Parliament. Addressing the Committee, the Chair of the Committee instructed to send a complete report containing all the details of all the investment lands owned by the Urban Development Authority to the Committee within two weeks.
The Urban Development Authority has completed 13,602 houses in 22 housing projects using 48,156 million government funds under the Urban Revitalization Program for ghetto dwellers living around Colombo. However, the officials of the audit office pointed out that 66 houses in such apartment complexes still remain vacant. Officials of the Urban Development Authority stated that measures will be taken to settle the owners of the vacant houses as soon as possible. However, the officials of the audit office pointed out that the condominium management certificate has been obtained for only one housing project out of the completed housing projects. As a result, it was disclosed that the Urban Development Authority has borne a sum of 667.6 million rupees for the maintenance of houses in 2023 and up until May 2024. Accordingly, the officials pointed out that after transferring the ownership of the houses to the relevant personnel, the responsibility of maintaining the houses will be removed from the Urban Development Authority.
Furthermore, the attention of the Committee was also drawn to the fact that not enough attention has been paid to provide facilities for parking the vehicles of the people who come to Colombo on a daily basis. The Committee pointed out that the work of the 2 parking garages proposed to be built by the authority itself was stopped in the middle of the year 2021 and so far, 230 million rupees have been spent. Accordingly, the Urban Development Officers informed the committee that the construction work has started to complete the work in such a way that these 2 car parks can be used in their current condition.
State Minister Hon. Indika Anuruddha Herath, Member of Parliament Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Hon. Madhura Withanage, Hon. Sanjeeva Edirimanna, Hon. (Major) Sudarshana Denipitiya, Hon. Upul Mahendra Rajapaksha and Hon. Premnath C. Dolawatte, government officials were present at this Committee meeting held.
2025-12-16
The estimated loss incurred by the Ceylon Electricity Board is approximately Rs.20 billion Officials of the Ministry of Transport and Highways and Urban Development stated that, due to the destruction of roads and bridges caused by the disaster situation that occurred across the island, it has been preliminarily estimated that the Road Development Authority has incurred a loss of approximately Rs. 75 billion.Furthermore, the officials stated that when taking into account the additional rehabilitation work required to fully restore the destroyed roads and bridges, it has been estimated that a sum of approximately Rs. 190 billion will be required for this purpose.This was disclosed at the meeting of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development, convened to discuss and analyses the nature of the disaster that the country has been struck with and the measures to be taken to assess the resulting social, economic, and environmental damage. The meeting was held recently (Dec. 11) at Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament S.M. Marikkar.During the meeting, officials of the Ministry of Transport and Highways and Urban Development pointed out that, as a result of the disaster situation, 316 roads and 40 bridges under the purview of the Road Development Authority have been damaged. However, the Chair of the Committee pointed out that assessments regarding damage to railway lines and regional roads across the island have not yet been carried out. The Chair further emphasized the importance of the Ministry taking the lead in formulating a mechanism to provide financial allocations for the rehabilitation of regional roads.Accordingly, the officials informed the Committee that it is currently expected to obtain a loan of Rs. 2 billion from the World Bank, and that funds required to carry out these rehabilitation works are also expected to be obtained from several other institutions.Meanwhile, officials of the Ceylon Electricity Board informed the Committee that the Board has incurred an estimated loss of approximately Rs. 20 billion due to the disaster situation. They further stated that discussions are underway to obtain a loan from the World Bank for this purpose. Commenting on this, the Chair of the Committee advised the officials of the Ceylon Electricity Board to attempt to obtain these funds as a grant rather than as a loan. He emphasized the importance of securing the funds as a grant, as obtaining them as a loan could result in an increase in electricity bills for consumers.In addition, officials informed the Committee that Lanka Electricity Company (Pvt) Ltd. has incurred an estimated loss of approximately Rs. 252 million due to the disaster situation. Officials representing Lanka Electricity Company (Pvt) Ltd. further stated that since the expenditure required for the repair work can be covered through the budgetary allocations already provided to them, no additional loan or grant is required.Officials also informed the Committee that the National Water Supply and Drainage Board has incurred an estimated loss of approximately Rs. 5.6 billion due to the disaster situation. The Secretary of the Ministry of Housing, Construction and Water Supply stated to the Committee that 156 water supply schemes of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board were damaged, and that all of them have now been restored after carrying out maintenance work. The Secretary further informed the Committee that arrangements are currently underway to obtain the funds required for rehabilitation as a grant from the Asian Development Bank.Accordingly, emphasizing the importance of preparing plans to face potential future disasters, the Chairman of the Committee stated that the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development is prepared to provide the necessary support to the relevant ministries and officials for this purpose.Members of Parliament Nalin Bandara Jayamaha, Ajith P. Perera, and Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana, along with a group of officials, were present at this occasion.
2025-12-09
Annual reports and financial reports of several universities and higher education institutions coming under the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education were considered at the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Manpower and Human Capital.This was taken into consideration when the Committee met recently (Nov. 26) at Parliament under the Chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Hesha Withanage.Accordingly, at the meeting of the Committee held, the Annual Reports of the Sri Lanka Maritime University for the years 2022 and 2023, the Annual Reports of the Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education for the years 2022 and 2023, the Annual Reports of The Open University of Sri Lanka for the years 2022 and 2023, the Annual Reports of the University of the Visual and Performing Arts for the years 2022 and 2023, and the Annual Report and Accounts Report of the Postgraduate Institute of English of The Open University of Sri Lanka for the year 2023 were considered and approved.Further, matters relating to the recruitment of Development Officers serving in schools to the Teacher Service, as well as issues concerning the recruitment of Principals, were also discussed at the Committee.Hon. Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa, Hon. Members of Parliament (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan, Rohini Kumari Wijerathna, Aboobucker Athambawa, Thurairasa Ravikaran, and Sunil Rajapaksha, along with a group of officials, were among those who participated on this occasion.
2025-12-09
A special Committee meeting to consider Regulations under Section 71 of the Value Added Tax Act, No. 14 of 2002The Committee on Public Finance (COPF) which met on 03 December 2025, considered several important matters, including the regulations issued under the National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act, No. 05 of 2015, published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2452/39 of 04 September 2025, the Annual Work Programme for 2026 of the National Audit Office, and the Final Report prepared under Standing Order 121(5)(ii) on the Appropriation Bill for the financial year 2026. The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Dr. Harsha de Silva, Hon. Member of Parliament.During the discussion on the NMRA regulations, the Committee recommended enhancing system transparency and visibility in the medicine registration process. Accordingly, the Regulations under the National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act, No. 05 of 2015 published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2452/39 was approved by the Committee following consideration.The Committee also considered the 2026 Annual Work Programme of the National Audit Office. According to the Programme, 3,508 audits will be carried out in 2026. These include 3,484 Financial Audits, 11 Performance Audits, 1 Environmental Audit, 12 Special AuditsAs presented, audits of Samurdhi Community-Based Banks and Samurdhi Community-Based Bank Societies have been newly assigned to the Auditor General from 2026 onwards. The Committee raised concerns regarding the staff capacity required to carry out the Samurdhi audits. The acting Auditor General stated that an additional 10%–15% staff would be required beyond the current cadre. He further informed the Committee that pilot audits are being conducted through regional offices and will continue until the end of February, after which the actual capacity requirements whether through recruitment or outsourcing will be determined.It was further noted that the annual work Programme will be forwarded to Parliament, as provided for in the Audit Act, which requires that any review or recommendation be submitted to the Speaker and the relevant authorities. Followed by extensive discussion, the Committee agreed to make an observation to the Speaker that it supports the possible outsourcing of the additional Samurdhi-related audit work, subject to the Auditor General’s evaluation. Accordingly, the Committee directed the National Audit Office to do a pilot project and report back to the Committee by the end of February 2026.In addition, COPF deliberated on the Final Report prepared under Standing Order 121(5)(ii) relating to the Appropriation Bill for the financial year 2026. The report reflected the Committee’s observations and recommendations following its review of ministerial budget proposals and financial allocations for the upcoming year.In extension, the Committee on Public Finance, under the Chairmanship of Dr. Harsha de Silva, Hon. Member of Parliament also conducted a special meeting today, 05th December 2025 to consider the Resolution for the provision of allocations for restoration of the disrupted lives of the people affected by the emergency disaster situation through a supplementary estimate. This resolves that, an additional sum not exceeding Rupees Fifty Thousand Million (Rs. 50,000,000,000) shall be payable out of the Consolidated Fund of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka or any other fund or finances possessed by the Government or any loan obtained by the Government at the discretion of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, for the services of the financial year commencing on January 01, 2025 and ending on December 31, 2025 and the manner that, the said sum may be expended.Moreover, Regulations under Section 71 of the Value Added Tax Act, No. 14 of 2002 published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2460/44 which was also approved following consideration. Hon. Members of Parliament who are Members of the Committee on Public Finance were present at these Committee meetings held.
2025-12-05
The Export Development Board (EDB) presented that Sri Lanka’s export sector is showing renewed progress and that the institution, which works with exporters across all districts, has taken several steps to strengthen product development, market access, and support for small and medium enterprises.This was discussed when the Committee on Ways and Means met in Parliament on 26.11.2025 under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Wijesiri Basnayake.Chairman of the Export Development Board stated that Sri Lanka’s exports have remained between USD 13–15 billion for nearly a decade, but recent reforms and targeted programs are helping the sector move towards higher growth. The EDB has introduced new national strategies, reactivated key advisory bodies, and set clear performance targets for both industries and overseas missions, he further said.It was discussed that major priority is increasing the participation of SMEs, which make up 78% of exporters but contribute only a small share to total export earnings. Accordingly, it was discussed how EDB aims to significantly expand this contribution through regional development programs and improved support services.It was also disclosed that Sri Lanka is preparing to host a major international industrial exhibition expected to attract large numbers of buyers and investors. Despite global challenges, Sri Lanka is on track to exceed USD 16–17 billion in exports, marking one of the strongest performances in recent years. The EDB stated that continued reforms, improved market access, and stronger industry collaboration will be vital as the country moves toward its next milestone of USD 20 billion.Hon. Deputy Minister (Prof.) Ruwan Ranasinghe, Hon. Members of Parliament Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law, K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera, Chathura Galappaththi, (Dr.) Sellaththamby Thilaganathan, Chaminda Hettiarachchi, Nishantha Jayaweera, Chandana Sooriyaarachchi, Thilina Samarakoon and a group of officials representing the EDB, participated in this meeting.
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