2024-07-25
News Categories : Committee News
Hon. Patali Champika Ranawaka, Chair of the Committee on Ways and Means emphasized that the establishment of a digital infrastructure system for the public sector in Sri Lanka should be done urgently by integrating all government institutions.
The Chair stated this when the Committee on Ways and Means met in Parliament recently (Jul. 24) in Parliament to discuss regarding the use of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for the public sector in Sri Lanka.
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) made a presentation in this regard and briefed the Committee on its particulars. Officials of the Ministry of Technology and the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government and the United Nations Development Representatives of the program and experts in the field were also called before the Committee meeting held.
Other countries of the world and especially in the Asian region, India and Bangladesh have implemented this facility, and it is currently being implemented in Pakistan, however it was disclosed that this program is not being implemented properly in Sri Lanka. If it works as expected, every citizen of the country will receive a specific identification number and will have access to all government services ranging from from a Grama Sewa Niladhari to any official in any government ministry. It was further stated that this facility will allow the exchange of data between the respective government institutions with proper efficiency.
The Committee Chair pointed out that even though government institutions such as the Department of Registration of Persons, the Department of Immigration and the Department of Inland Revenue have implemented their own unique digital systems, there is no collective action.
The need to create an electronic platform for all payment activities and transactions to direct the three institutions operating for the purpose of collecting revenue which has been delayed for more than a decade was emphasized as pointe out on earlier discussions held at the Committee on Ways and Means. Moreover, the Committee Chair pointed out to the officials of the Ministry of Technology the need for a digital procurement exchange platform to carry out imported food, fuel and medicines, fertilizers etc. in a transparent manner.
The committee had previously discussed and made a number of recommendations on the Digitization of monetary transactions through e-Rupees by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, creation of a unified payment interface (Unified Payment Interface), prevention of wrong invoicing related to imports by Sri Lanka Customs, and creation of a digital platform where all details of essential food items which can be viewed by consumers.
The investigation regarding the non-receipt of vehicle licenses with duty concessions received by 9 senior officers of the State Engineering Service on retirement was looked into during the second session of the committee. For the said purpose, the party representing the officers of the State Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government Ministries and the aggrieved senior officers of the Engineering Service were summoned before the committee. According to a Regulation in the year 2017, the retirement age of the executive grade officers of the public service was extended to 61 years. It was made not that the reduction of the mandatory retirement age to 60 years in 2023, caused to lose the right to the vehicle permit, which is given from 5 years to 5 years. It was stated that this injustice happened to 9 people in the engineering service while elaborating their position. The Chair emphasized that all professionals should follow the same policy; Instructed the officers of the Ministries of State Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government to submit to the Committee in writing the specific conditions related to the right to the vehicle license with duty concessions which are entitled with the retirement.
Members of Parliament Hon. Ashok Abeysinghe, Hon. Wasantha Yapabandara and Hon. Rauff Hakeem, were also present for this committee meeting held.
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.
2026-03-30
The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability has instructed officials to immediately prepare a plan for the environmentally friendly disposal of ash emitted from the Norochcholai Lakvijaya Power Plant.These instructions were given at a meeting of the Committee held in Parliament on the Mar. 17th, under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Hector Appuhamy.It was revealed during the meeting that, due to issues related to the quality of coal imported to Sri Lanka for power generation, the volume of ash emitted during electricity generation has increased significantly. The Committee noted that if this ash is not properly disposed of, there is a risk of future environmental damage. Accordingly, officials were directed to formulate a plan under the leadership of the District Secretary of the Puttalam District to take the necessary measures.It was also proposed that the possibility of reusing the removed ash for production purposes be studied, and that any revenue generated from such products be utilized for welfare projects benefiting the communities affected by the power plant.In addition, the Committee instructed the Central Environmental Authority to submit a comprehensive report on whether water and air pollution have occurred as a result of the Norochcholai Power Plant. Furthermore, the North Western Provincial Environmental Authority was also recommended to provide responses within two weeks regarding the questionnaire and related matters submitted by the Committee in connection with the Norochcholai Power Plant.Officials of the North Western Provincial Environmental Authority stated that although the volume of ash emitted from the plant has increased, the filtration system in use at the plant is sufficient to absorb these particles. Several matters, including the issuance of environmental protection licenses for the power plant, were discussed in detail.The meeting was attended by Committee Members, Hon. Members of Parliament Kings Nelson, Roshan Akmeemana, Attorney-at-Law Chithral Fernando, Susantha Kumara Navaratne, Kitnan Selvaraj and Upul Kithsiri.
2026-03-24
The Select Committee of Parliament to conduct a comprehensive study on the lack of preparedness to face Cyclone Ditwah and report to Parliament and submit its proposals and recommendations in that regard, met for the first time on 19.03.2026 at Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. Minister (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa.Addressing the meeting, the Chair emphasized the importance of gaining a clear understanding of how the relevant responsible institutions operate during natural disasters such as Cyclone Ditwah, in order to effectively carry forward the work of the Committee. Accordingly, it was decided to summon officials from the Disaster Management Centre, the Department of Meteorology, the Department of Irrigation, and the Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka to the next two committee meetings to obtain the necessary preliminary briefings.It was also proposed that, given the subject-specific scope of the Committee, officials possessing technical expertise and specialized knowledge in relevant fields should be called before the Committee from time to time to assist in understanding complex technical matters. The Chair noted that the Committee is required to submit its report to Parliament within three months from the date of its first meeting by 19.06.2026. Accordingly, efforts will be made to hold meetings promptly and prepare the report, including relevant recommendations, within this timeframe. He further stated that, in addition to proposals related to the Committee’s scope, the report is expected to include recommendations aimed at establishing a stronger mechanism to effectively respond to future events similar to Cyclone Ditwah.The meeting was attended by Hon. Members of Parliament Anuradha Jayaratne (Attorney-at-Law), Hector Appuhamy, Rohini Kumari Wijerathna, M.K.M. Aslam, Anushka Thilakaratne (Attorney-at-Law), Kanthasamy Prabhu, Ruwan Mapalagama, and (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam. Hon. Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa also attended with the special permission of the Chair.
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
