2024-08-15
News Categories : Committee News
Chair of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Open and Accountable Government, Member of Parliament Hon. Jagath Kumara Sumitraarachchi, recently informed the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration to take immediate action to issue passports in a way that does not inconvenience the public.
This was discussed when the Department of Immigration and Emigration was summoned to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on An Open and Accountable Government to consider the new "Immigration" Bill.
Addressing the meeting, the Immigration and Emigration Controller General Mr. Harsha Ilukpitiya said that nearly 1 million passports had been issued in 2023, but only 23% of them had been used and the remaining 77% of passports had not been used. Also, he added that since the electronic passport (E-Passport) is to be introduced by the end of October, there is a possibility to request the new e- passport from some countries and accordingly, the department requests the non-essential public to refrain from getting passports.
The Chair of the Committee pointed out that people should be informed about this as much as possible. However, the Chair also emphasized that it is the responsibility of the Immigration and Emigration Department to issue the requested passports so that the people are not inconvenienced, as it is the right of the people to get passports after paying money. If not, the Chair of the Committee Hon. Jagath Kumara Sumitraarachchi pointed out that the department as well as the government will be deeply displeased by the people.
Also, the officials of the Immigration and Emigration Department said that the obstacles to obtaining passports for pilgrims traveling to India and Nepal will be promptly removed.
While considering the new “Immigration” Bill, the Committee inquired the provisions of the bill from the officials. Immigration and Emigration Controller General Mr. Harsha Ilukpitiya said that the drafting of this bill, which was presented to Parliament on June 20, 2024 by the Minister of Public Security, commenced in 2017. This new bill has been prepared by amending the issue of travel documents, the Immigrants and Emigrants Act and the Passport (Regulation) and Exit Permit Act, No. 53 of 1971 to suit the current social and technological situation. He also mentioned that since this bill has been challenged in the Supreme Court and the relevant determination has been announced to the Parliament, the related amendments will be made.
It was also revealed that this bill has provided provisions to fill the gaps in the immigration laws of this country. The Controller General pointed out that for the first time, the necessary legal provisions have been made by this new bill especially for Human Smuggling, which has not had any laws in this country so far. Also, this new bill has enacted new laws including the legal provisions necessary for the department to move forward with the new technology as well as the provisions applicable to people staying illegally in the country. Mr. Ilukpitiya further mentioned that this bill was prepared after considering the opinions and suggestions of several experts. It was also discussed in the committee that this bill, which has been delayed for a long time, is a very important bill.
Also, the committee's attention was drawn to filling the vacancies of the employees of the Immigration and Emigration Department. The chair of the committee also advised to submit the related proposal to the committee. Giving approval to the bill, the committee chair said that in order to implement this bill more successfully, the department should proceed with new technology. The committee also informed the Immigration and Emigration Department to provide the related proposals to the committee within 2 weeks to remove the existing obstacles.
Also, the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration stated that the procurement process of electronic passports (e - Passports) is in the final stage and 5 million electronic passports will be received by the end of October 2024.
Officials representing the Ministry of Public Security, the Attorney General's Department and the Legal Draftsman’s Department also attended the meeting. Members of Parliament Hon. John Seneviratne, Hon. Udayana Kiridigoda, Hon. Gunathilaka Rajapaksa, Hon. Jayantha Weerasinghe, Hon. Ishaq Rahuman, Hon. Sudath Manjula, Hon. Kumarasiri Ratnayake and Hon. Madhura Withanage were also present in this committee meeting.
2026-04-09
The Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) met on 07th April 2026 under the chairmanship of Hon Member of Parliament Dr. Harsha de Silva.The Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, along with members of the Governing Board, the Monetary Policy Board, and senior officials, attended the meeting as part of the Central Bank’s statutory presentation to Parliament conducted once every four months.Hon. Deputy Ministers Chathuranga Abeysinghe, (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathnea and Nishantha Jayaweera, Hon. Members of parliament Rauff Hakeem, Attorney at Law, Ravi Karunanayake, M.K.M. Aslam, Nimal Palihena, Chithral Fernando, Attorney at Law, Wijesiri Basnayake, Thilina Samarakoon, Champika Hettiarachchi and (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney at Law were also present at the meeting.During the meeting, the Committee took up as a matter of priority the alleged fraud at NDB Bank. The Committee initiated a focused discussion with the Central Bank, underscoring the seriousness of the issue and the need for urgent attention.The Governor informed the Committee that an initial investigation in this regard is currently underway. He further assured that the Central Bank will report back to the Committee at the earliest possible opportunity once the necessary information has been gathered.The Committee observed with serious concern that there appear to have been considerable lapses in corporate governance at the bank, deficiencies in supervision by the relevant departments of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, and undue delays in the reporting of material information.The Committee firmly underscored that such shortcomings are unacceptable and directed that immediate corrective measures be undertaken. It further emphasized that it will continue to closely monitor this matter and exercise stringent oversight to ensure full accountability, transparency, and the safeguarding of public confidence in the financial system.
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.
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