2025-02-21
A decision was made to appoint a special COPE subcommittee to investigate irregularities that have taken place in the National Youth Services Council and its affiliated institutions in the past.
This decision was taken during a meeting of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE), held yesterday (Feb. 20) at Parliament Chaired by Hon. Member of Parliament (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera, to review the Auditor General’s reports related to the National Youth Services Council and Sri Lanka Youth Services (Private) Limited for the years 2022 and 2023, the current performance, and the progress of implementing the recommendations made at the meeting of the Committee on Public Enterprises held on November 16, 2021.
COPE had also convened on the 18th to discuss this matter, during which numerous irregularities were disclosed. Accordingly, it was decided to summon the former chairpersons of the National Youth Services Council before COPE for further discussions. These discussions continued yesterday with the participation of the former chairpersons and relevant officials.
During this discussion, several financial irregularities and unethical practices were disclosed. As a result, the COPE Chair decided to appoint a special COPE subcommittee to investigate the irregularities that have taken place in the National Youth Services Council and its affiliated institutions. Accordingly, this special COPE subcommittee was appointed under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Chandima Hettiarachchi, including Hon. MPs Samanmalee Gunasinghe, Hon. Jagath Manuwarna, Sunil Rajapaksha, Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana, and (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney at Law, as its members. The subcommittee is expected to meet in the future, conduct the necessary investigations, and submit a report to COPE.
During the previous discussion, it was affirmed that a sum of approximately Rs. 188 million had been spent for the "Smart Youth Exhibition and Musical Show" and that the relevant cheques had been issued with the signature of the former Chairman of the National Youth Services Council the day before the Presidential Election. Since the former chairman had been summoned for questioning regarding this matter, he was inquired regarding the said. He stated that these payments were made for programs conducted three to four months prior and expressed surprise at claims by the officials that he had pressured them. A discussion at length was held on this matter, during which the officials pointed out that the former chairman had exerted pressure to certify these cheques between 2 p.m and 5 p.m on the respective date. Accordingly, the Committee pointed out that it is a confirmed fact that the former chairman had exerted influence in this regard.
It was also disclosed that the former Chairman of the National Youth Services Council had appointed a private secretary who did not meet the minimum qualifications required for the position. Officials pointed out that a degree was a mandatory requirement for this appointment. However, when the private secretary was asked to confirm his qualifications, he was unable to do so and subsequently resigned from the position. The private secretary, who was present at the discussion, stated that he was in the process of completing his degree but had not yet completed it. It was also disclosed that post resigning from this position, he had been appointed to the Board of Directors of the National Youth Services Council. Furthermore, provincial directors and other officials pointed out that this individual too had exerted influence on officials throughout various activities.
Additionally, discussions were held regarding the "Smart Youth Avurudu Festival" organized by the National Youth Services Council. It was disclosed that this program had been implemented without following proper procedures, and the COPE Chair pointed out that it was evident that all these activities had been carried out according to the will of the Chairman of the National Youth Services Council. The committee also questioned the involvement of suppliers in these activities, to which the former Chairman responded stating that he receives a large number of letters and thus forwarded them to the relevant divisions. He also stated that funds had been allocated for these programs by the Presidential Secretariat. However, COPE pointed out that it was evident that these procedures had been conducted in an irregular manner.
The Committee further disclosed that the National Youth Services Council had organized programs in support of the former President's election campaign. In response, the former Chairman stated that all previously planned programs were halted in accordance with the instructions of the Election Commission and that only the "Smart Fiesta" program, which focused solely on sports, was conducted in collaboration with the Presidential Secretariat. However, members of COPE pointed out that the same program had been continued, but only under a different name. It was also disclosed that Rs. 4.3 million had been spent to produce a music program related to the "Smart Fiesta" event but that the National Youth Services Council had not received the corresponding video. The former Chairman, however, stated that the video had been handed over to the National Youth Services Council. COPE, therefore, recommended further investigation into this matter.
Additionally, attention was drawn to the National Youth Poson Zone and youth programmes held in Jaffna and Ampara. The Committee also focused on the involvement of the W. D. Weerasinghe Foundation in these events. Furthermore, discussions were held on the renovation of the Bellwood Aesthetic Centre and the construction of a new building, as well as the implementation of the recommendations provided by COPE in 2021 regarding these matters.
Following extensive discussions, the COPE Chair stated that he was dissatisfied with the manner in which the then Director of Finance had performed his duties. He further emphasized that public servants must fulfill their responsibilities correctly to ensure their own protection.
The following Hon. Members of Parliament were present at the Committee meeting held: M.K.M. Aslam, Samanmali Gunasinghe, Kosala Nuwan Jayaweera, Sujeewa Dissanayake, (Dr.) S. Sri Bavanandarajah, Jagath Manuwarna, Ruwan Mapalagama, Sunil Rajapaksha, Darmapriya Wijesinghe, Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana, Thilina Samarakoon, Chandima Hettiarachchi, and Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney at Law.
2026-11-14
The financial crisis faced by SriLankan Airlines, frequent flight delays, debt burden and delays in procurement processes for acquiring new aircraft were discussed extensively at the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development.These matters were discussed when the Committee met recently in Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. S. M. Marikkar, Member of Parliament.During the meeting, concerns were raised over the inadequacy of the airline’s existing fleet of 23 aircraft, which are approximately 12 years old. Technical issues and operational delays arising from the ageing fleet were also discussed. It was pointed out that a technical fault or any other disruption involving a single aircraft could affect the entire flight network due to the limited availability of alternative aircraft.The Committee also focused on the failure of conventional procurement processes previously undertaken to acquire aircraft and the lengthy delays associated with them. It was stated that a special set of procurement guidelines had been prepared for the purchase of aircraft and related equipment, and arrangements were being made to gazette these guidelines. It was further revealed that a dedicated procurement unit had been established at the Ministry level to directly oversee the procurement process.Under the new procurement guidelines, plans are underway to expand the airline’s fleet. It is expected that one new narrow-body aircraft and two wide-body aircraft will be added to the fleet by next June. Officials also stated that increasing the fleet to at least 29 aircraft by 2029 is one of the key targets of the five-year plan.It was explained that several measures had been taken through the General Treasury to improve the financial position of SriLankan Airlines, including the takeover of outstanding bank loans and bond-related debt. Attention was also drawn to reducing aircraft leasing costs, managing fuel expenditure and implementing commercial strategies to increase the airline’s revenue.The impact of the prevailing crisis in the Middle East, rising fuel prices and competition from international airlines on SriLankan Airlines’ operations and revenue was also discussed.Furthermore, it was stated that the committee appointed by the Government to restructure SriLankan Airlines was considering several options, including attracting new investors, establishing a public-private partnership, or retaining the airline under State ownership while bringing its operations to a level where it could cover its costs.Accordingly, the Committee instructed the relevant authorities to submit a comprehensive report to Parliament and the Ministry before November 30, outlining the measures required to bring SriLankan Airlines to a cost-recovery level within the next two to three years.Hon. Members of Parliament Ajith P. Perera, Nalin Bandara Jayamaha, Ravindra Bandara, Manjula Suweera Arachchi, Chathura Galappaththi, Dhanushka Ranganath, Jagath Vithana, Shantha Padma Kumara Subasinghe and Attorney-at-Law Geetha Herath also attended the Committee meeting.
2026-11-14
The Committee on Ways and Means held an extensive discussion on Sri Lanka’s tariff policies and the current status of trade agreements. The meeting was held under the Chairmanship of Hon. Vijesiri Basnayake, Member of Parliament at Parliament recently.Mr. Somasena Mahadiulwewa, Director General (Acting) of the Department of Commerce of Sri Lanka, provided a detailed explanation to the Committee on these matters. The discussion focused on the current status of Sri Lanka’s bilateral and multilateral trade agreements and measures to move them forward.The Committee stressed the importance of conducting feasibility studies on trade agreements that are currently under negotiation and taking the necessary steps to ensure that these discussions continue.Hon. Deputy Ministers Chathuranga Abeysinghe and Eranga Weeraratne, and Hon. Members of Parliament Ashoka Sapumal Ranwala, Thilina Samarakoon, Champika Hettiarachchi and Chathura Galappaththi, among others, also participated in the Committee meeting.
2026-11-13
The Prevention of Foreign Terrorist Fighters Bill received the approval of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations.The Bill was considered and approved when the Sectoral Oversight Committee met recently in Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament (Attorney-at-Law) Lakmali Hemachandra. The Bill has been presented to give effect to United Nations Security Council Resolution 2178, adopted on 24 September 2014, which addresses the prevention and suppression of the threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters, and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.The Bill was presented to Parliament for its First Reading on 20 October by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism.Officials explained to the Committee that legal action could be instituted in Sri Lanka under this Act in cases where an offence has been committed within or outside Sri Lanka by a Sri Lankan citizen or a citizen of another country, provided that the act in question also constitutes an offence under the law of the relevant country.Officials further informed the Committee that engaging in terrorist activities, planning or preparing such activities, participating in them, as well as providing or receiving terrorist training, have been defined as offences under the proposed Act.The officials also emphasized that these legal provisions had not been introduced on an ethnic basis or with the intention of targeting Sri Lankans residing overseas.Following an extensive discussion, the Committee approved the Bill. However, Hon. Member of Parliament Sivagnanam Shritharan, a member of the Committee, expressed his opposition to the Bill.Hon. Members of Parliament Suranga Rathnayake, Thilina Samarakoon, Wijesiri Basnayake and Sivagnanam Shritharan, among others, attended the Committee meeting. Government officials representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, the Ministry of Defence, the Attorney General’s Department and the Legal Draftsman’s Department were also present.
2026-11-13
Salary anomalies arising when teachers are appointed to the Sri Lanka Principals’ Service were discussed at length at a subcommittee appointed by the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Manpower and Human Capital.These matters were discussed when the subcommittee met recently under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Sunil Rajapaksa.Representatives of trade unions of the Sri Lanka Principals’ Service and officials representing the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development participated in the meeting.Trade union representatives pointed out that one of the main reasons for these salary anomalies was the fact that the transition from the Teachers’ Service to the Principals’ Service was treated as a “new appointment” rather than a promotion.They further noted that the situation was exacerbated by the significant difference in salary increments when teachers in Grade I of the Teachers’ Service are appointed to Grade III of the Principals’ Service.They also pointed out that although an adjustment allowance had been granted to compensate for the salary difference arising from the appointment to the Principals’ Service, a further salary disparity emerges over time. This is because officers do not receive the higher salary increments, they would have been entitled to had they remained in the Teachers’ Service.It was further emphasized that this situation has discouraged senior and experienced teachers serving in Grades I and II-I of the Teachers’ Service from sitting for the Principals’ Service examination and joining the Principals’ Service.The Chairman of the Subcommittee stated that, having considered the matters presented to the Committee, steps would be taken to submit the relevant recommendations to the Salaries and Pensions Commission for Public Officers.In addition, the Subcommittee decided to hold discussions with the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, and the Director General of Establishments to address other issues faced by officers serving in the Principals’ Service.Hon. Members of Parliament Abubakar Athambawa, Sugath Wasantha de Silva and Chanaka Madugoda also attended the meeting.
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