2025-02-21
The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Digital Economic Affairs decided to hold a workshop on the 10th of March 2025 to brief all Members of Parliament about the upcoming programme related to the government's digital economic activities.
This decision was made during a meeting held yesterday (Feb. 20) in Parliament, chaired by the Minister of Digital Economy, Hon. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne also attended the meeting.
Addressing the meeting, the Hon. President emphasized the importance of accelerating the development of Sri Lanka’s digital economy, which is a key government priority and a nationwide transformation.
Officials from the Ministry of Digital Economy provided details on the future sectors of digital economic activities. They also informed the Committee that ICTA, the leading body in state digitalization, will be brought under the Digital Economy Authority, with arrangements being made to enhance service delivery.
Furthermore, as various state institutions have developed separate systems for collecting information and data, the members emphasized the need for these systems to be integrated and managed through a single institution in the future. In response, the Hon. President stated that such systems should be developed under state supervision. He also noted that instructions have been issued to ministry secretaries to refrain from creating new systems at this time. The Hon. President further highlighted the importance of tailoring these systems to meet the specific needs of each institution.
The MPs also brought to the attention of the officials the issues related to weak telephone signal coverage in certain areas of the island. In response, Ministry officials informed the Committee that plans are underway to construct 50 new signal towers in areas identified under the Village Communication Program. This initiative aims to reduce telephone signal disruptions to some extent.
The Committee also discussed the possibility of mobile phone users to regain the same mobile phone number they used when changing their mobile phone network operator, and in response, the officials said that this facility will be implemented from next June.
During this discussion, views were expressed on the use of crypto currency and the President said that the final decision on whether to allow its use in Sri Lanka or not will be implemented based on the recommendations of the Governor of the Central Bank.
The discussion also covered measures being implemented to protect the personal data of citizens, strategies for handling emerging technologies, including AI, and the salaries of IT engineers.
The meeting was attended by Hon. Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Committee Members, Hon. Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa and Members of Parliament, Secretary to the Ministry of Digital Economy and Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy Dr. Hans Wijeyasuriya, Secretary General of Parliament Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, Director Legislative Services and Director Communications (Acting) Mr. M. Jayalath Perera, and a group of officials representing the Ministry of Digital Economy.
2026-09-30
It was revealed at the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Youth Affairs and Sports, which met recently in Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage, that arrangements are being made to gazette and present to Parliament a new Bill prepared to completely reform the governance structure of Sri Lanka Cricket.It was stated before the Committee that the proposed new cricket governance structure would include independent directors. Under the proposed new legislation, District Cricket Associations will no longer engage directly in decision-making with Sri Lanka Cricket, but will instead function through Provincial Cricket Associations.The Committee was also informed that Sri Lanka Cricket provides Rs. 900 million annually, together with equipment, for school cricket. It was further revealed that plans have been proposed in consultation with the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education to formalize the recruitment of coaches and the player selection process.Meanwhile, the Committee reviewed the progress in implementing the recommendations of the Auditor General relating to sports associations. It was stated that 33 sports associations have completed the relevant recommendations, while reports are due to be obtained in respect of a further 33 associations.The Ministry has instructed that the collection of fees for walking tracks and sports complexes used by the public for health and exercise activities be suspended immediately. The Ministry’s policy that sports facilities should be maintained not as profit-making ventures, but as a government responsibility for the promotion of national health and community welfare, was also emphasized.It was also stated that, under the plan to provide at least one synthetic running track in every province, the next synthetic track is scheduled to be constructed in Anuradhapura. The Committee was informed that there are currently only two synthetic tracks in the country.The Committee also discussed matters relating to the development of sports facilities in the Ampara District, the development of Weber Stadium in Batticaloa and the Hingurakgoda Sports Complex, improvements to sports facilities in the Hali-Ela area of Badulla, and resolving issues at the Bandaragama Public Grounds in Kalutara.Furthermore, the Committee was informed that when allocating government funds for international competitions, funding will be provided only for official national teams representing Sri Lanka and officially recognized international tournaments. It was also revealed that no discrimination based on race or region would be made when selecting national teams or sending teams to participate in overseas competitions.The meeting was attended by Hon. Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs Dinidu Saman Hennayake, other Deputy Ministers, Hon. Members of Parliament, officials of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and members of the Transformation Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket, among others.
2026-09-30
The Subcommittee on Shortage of Physical Resources in Schools discussed the progress of the General Education Modernization Programme (GEM) implemented by the Ministry of Education.The Subcommittee, appointed by the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education to investigate the shortage of physical resources in schools, considered these matters at a meeting held recently in Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Samanmali Gunasinghe.Officials of the Ministry of Education briefed the Subcommittee on the work carried out in schools under the programme, which is being implemented with the assistance of the World Bank. The Subcommittee emphasized the need to further expedite the activities being carried out under the programme and instructed officials to submit a detailed report on its progress.The Subcommittee further emphasized the need to take necessary measures to address the requirements relating to sanitary facilities and drinking water facilities in schools, particularly to ensure the quality and safety of drinking water.The Subcommittee also conducted an extensive review of the progress of the programme to provide telecommunication facilities to schools, as well as the progress of programmes to establish model primary schools.Hon. Members of Parliament R.M. Samantha Ranasinghe and Padmasiri Bandara, together with officials of the Ministry of Education, also participated in the meeting.
2026-09-30
Following discussions with officials of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka regarding Foreign Exchange Regulations Nos. 01 and 02 of 2026 and the Order issued under Section 22 of the Foreign Exchange Act, the Committee on Public Finance approved the said Regulations and Order.The matter was considered at a meeting of the Committee on Public Finance held in Parliament recently under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Dr. Harsha de Silva. The Committee examined the relevant provisions relating to foreign investments, the transfer of funds overseas by emigrants, and measures to control foreign exchange outflows from the country.Hon. Deputy Ministers Chathuranga Abeysinghe and Nishantha Jayawera, as well as Hon. Members of Parliament Ravi Karunanayake, Ajith Agalakada, Nimal Palihena, Wijesiri Basnayake, Thilina Samarakoon, Champika Hettiarachchi and Attorney-at-Law Lakmali Hemachandra, participated in the meeting.Officials representing the Ministry of Finance, Sri Lanka Customs, the Department of Trade and Investment Policy, the Department of Import and Export Control, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and its Department of Foreign Exchange also participated in the meeting.The Committee focused on the provisions relating to investments made overseas by persons resident in Sri Lanka under Foreign Exchange Regulations No. 01 of 2026. Discussions were held on persons eligible to make foreign investments, the sectors in which investments may be made, and the applicable restrictions on transferring capital overseas. Attention was also given to the opportunities available for Sri Lankan companies to expand their business operations overseas and the financial facilities required for such expansion. With regard to Foreign Exchange Regulations No. 02 of 2026, discussions were held on the procedures and restrictions applicable to emigrants transferring assets held in Sri Lanka overseas. In particular, the Committee was briefed on the existing provisions relating to the transfer of capital overseas under the Emigrant’s Allowance, as well as the remittance overseas of current income such as rental income, interest and dividends.Meanwhile, the Committee also discussed the Order issued under Section 22 of the Foreign Exchange Act. Officials of the Central Bank explained the temporary restrictions currently in place to manage foreign exchange outflows, taking into consideration the prevailing economic conditions and the need to safeguard foreign exchange reserves.The officials further informed the Committee that consideration is also being given to gradually relaxing these restrictions as economic conditions improve.The Committee also discussed the export earnings brought into the country by exporters during the previous year and the opportunities available to use a portion of those earnings for the expansion of businesses overseas. The importance of providing facilities required by local businesses to expand their operations in international markets was also highlighted.The Committee further focused on investigations into the unauthorised outflow of foreign exchange from the country and the monitoring mechanisms in place in this regard. Measures taken to minimise discrepancies between banking and Customs data relating to imports and exports were discussed, along with the need to strengthen coordination among relevant institutions to prevent the misuse of foreign exchange.In addition, the Committee considered the restrictions on bank guarantees and other financial facilities required by local companies, including construction companies, when seeking business opportunities overseas.During the discussion, Committee members also pointed out that imposing unnecessary regulations could discourage businesses and create a risk of hindering economic growth. Expressing his views, the Chairman pointed out that restricting foreign exchange outflows could also result in a reduction in the amount of foreign exchange flowing into the country.The Chairman also questioned why the amount specified in the Regulations as USD 2 million had been stated as USD 0.75 million in the Order in relation to the expansion of listed companies.In response, officials of the Department of Foreign Exchange stated that the USD 0.75 million limit would apply only for a period of approximately six months, and that consideration would be given to relaxing the limit in 2027. They further stated that the corresponding limit for non-listed companies is USD 0.2 million.The Department of Foreign Exchange stated that foreign exchange exceeding these limits may be converted with the approval of the Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. It was also explained that such approval would be granted based on the balance sheet of the business. However, views were also expressed that businesses with higher asset levels may have greater opportunities to obtain such approval.
2026-09-25
The Committee on High Posts of Parliament recently granted approval for the appointment of a new Ambassador, a High Commissioner, and a chairperson of a state institution.The approvals were granted when the Committee on High Posts met under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.Accordingly, the Committee approved the appointment of Mrs. Anzul Banu Jhan as the new Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Republic of the Philippines and Mr. Chandana Rohana Kumara Ambagolla as the new High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Canada.The Committee also approved the appointment of Mr. Nusith Kumarathunga as the new Chairman of Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation Limited.
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