2025-03-07
News Categories : Committee News
Hon. Minister Samantha Viddyarathna stated that 36,000 acres for new coconut cultivation have been planned for this year, with 16,000 acres allocated to the Northern Coconut Triangle and the remaining 20,000 acres designated for other regions.
The Hon. Minister made this statement during the Ministerial Consultative Committee meeting on Plantation and Community Infrastructure, held under his Chairmanship at Parliament on 05.03.2025. Hon. Deputy Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure, Sundaralingam Pradeep, was also participated in the meeting.
To enhance coconut cultivation, the hon. minister announced that 2.5 million coconut seedlings will be produced this year. Furthermore, from the 55,000 metric tons of MOP fertilizer received free of charge from Russia, 27,500 metric tons are being utilized to produce 56,000 metric tons of mixed fertilizer for coconut cultivation. Through this initiative, fertilizer subsidies will be provided to coconut estate owners with less than five acres of plantations. Accordingly, a 50 kg sack of this mixed fertilizer, which is valued at approximately LKR 9,500 in the market, will be made available to coconut farmers nationwide at a subsidized price of LKR 4,000 by the end of this month.
Additionally, under the Indian Aid program, 4,700 estate-sector houses are expected to be constructed this year as part of the 10,000-housing project. The Hon. Minister emphasized that while there were previous reports of political favoritism in the selection of housing beneficiaries, this time, the process will be conducted with greater transparency and without political bias. Also, priority will be given to families residing in landslide-prone areas, he said. Furthermore, LKR 1.3 billion in domestic funds is expected to be allocated for the improvement of estate housing and related infrastructure development.
Addressing the Committee, Secretary to the Ministry, Mr.Prabath Chandrakeerthi, presented an overview of the ministry’s operations and future plans. He stated that approximately 30,000 hectares of underutilized plantation company lands have been identified and that steps are being taken to allocate these lands to investors.
Moreover, the secretary reported that Sri Lanka’s total tea production in 2024 was approximately 262 million kg, while the target for 2025 is set at 275 million kg. He also noted a decline in rubber exports despite Sri Lanka being the home of the world’s first rubber research institute and announced that the target for 2025 is 78 million kg of rubber exports. Additionally, the goal for coconut production in 2025 is set at 2,875 million, he said.
During the meeting, discussions were also held regarding the threat of declining quality in Sri Lankan tea and cinnamon due to excessive use of glyphosate and other factors, highlighting the need for greater attention to this issue.
Members of Parliament also raised concerns regarding the quality standards of tea fertilizers, the promotion of cashew cultivation, and other issues relevant to the ministry.
The meeting was attended by ministers, deputy ministers, members of Parliament, and officials from institutions under the Ministry of Plantation and Rural Infrastructure.
2026-02-16
The Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill was considered and approved by the Committee on Public Finance.This took place at a meeting of the Committee held in Parliament on 10.02.2026 under the Chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Dr. Harsha de Silva, with the participation of Hon. Deputy Ministers Chathuranga Abeysinghe, (Dr.) Kaushalya Ariyaratne, and Nishantha Jayaweera, as well as Hon. Members of Parliament Attorney-at-Law Rauff Hakeem and Nimal Palihena.The Bill has been drafted with the objectives of establishing the Sri Lanka Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority, regulating the money lending business and microfinance business, protecting customers engaged in such businesses, repealing the Microfinance Act, No. 6 of 2016 and providing for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.The Chair of the Committee stated that the original draft of this Bill, which had been presented in 2024, was challenged before the Supreme Court, and that the constitutional inconsistencies identified by the Court appear to have been addressed in this new draft. The Committee expressed its appreciation for the Bill, which had been prepared after obtaining the views of all stakeholders.Officials stated that the Authority to be established under this Bill will issue licenses to and regulate persons engaged in money lending and microfinance businesses, and that the Authority will be governed by a Board of Directors. It was further noted that no person may conduct a money lending business without a license issued by the Authority.The Committee inquired whether online lending activities would also fall under the purview of the Authority. Officials clarified that online lending may also be carried out only by licensed entities. They further emphasized that customer protection is a primary objective of the Bill.Discussions were also held regarding whether the Bill adequately covers the social empowerment role of community-based financial institutions, including through the introduction of relaxed regulatory fees or simplified compliance requirements. Practical operational issues and consumer protection were also identified as areas requiring further attention.Officials noted that certain lenders, such as e-commerce operators, would not fall within the scope of this Act.Taking into account the prevailing public mistrust and uncertainty surrounding legislative reforms, the Committee recommended that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development implement effective communication programs to raise awareness among the public and all stakeholders. As an initial step, the Committee suggested publishing a document containing Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).As the Authority will be vested with statutory powers to determine maximum interest rates in both the lending and deposit sectors, the Committee advised officials to exercise such powers in a manner that preserves the nature of the various financial instruments used by microfinance institutions for savings and lending activities.The delegation of powers to Divisional Secretariat offices was also discussed at length. Officials stated that small-scale lenders would not be required to travel to Colombo to engage with the Authority, and that limited powers relating to connected functions (such as processing applications and other routine matters) would be delegated to the Divisional Secretariat level. The Committee emphasized the need for a robust information technology system to ensure the effective and efficient implementation of this process.Furthermore, at the same meeting, the Committee also considered and approved the Resolution published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2464/15 under the Customs Ordinance (Chapter 235), as well as three Orders issued under the Special Commodity Levy Act.
2026-02-13
Select Committee of Parliament to look into and Report to Parliament on the release of 323 Containers from the Port of Colombo without undergoing mandatory physical inspection and submit its proposals and recommendations in that regard, met for the third consecutive day on 11.02.2026 in Parliament. The meeting was chaired by the Hon. Minister of Justice and National Integration, Attorney-at-Law Harshana Nanayakkara.A group of officials from Sri Lanka Customs, including Director General of Customs Mr. Seewali Arukgoda, were summoned before the Committee, and evidence relating to the incident was recorded.Prior to the commencement of evidence, the Chair informed the Committee that the Hon. Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation, Mr. Anura Karunatilaka, had tendered his resignation from the membership of the Committee, and that another member would be appointed in due course to fill the vacancy.The meeting was attended by Committee members: Hon. Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Hon. Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Attorney-at-Law Sunil Watagala, Hon. Deputy Minister of Energy Arkam Ilyas and Hon. Members of Parliament Attorney-at-Law Dayasiri Jayasekara, Ajith P. Perera, D. V. Chanaka, Mujibur Rahuman, Dr. Najith Indika and Attorney-at-Law Lakmali Hemachandra.
2026-02-13
Officials from the Ministry of Digital Economy stated that there are plans to provide every person in the country with High-Speed Broadband connectivity by the year 2029.These remarks were made during a meeting of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Science, Technology and Digital Transformation, held in Parliament on 06.02.2026 under the chairmanship of Member of Parliament (Dr). Janaka Senarathne, to discuss the action plan related to the allocation of 2026 budget provisions for the Ministry of Digital Economy and the Ministry of Science and Technology.At this meeting, (Dr.) Hans Wijayasuriya, Senior Advisor to the President, made a detailed presentation before the Committee regarding the programme planned to provide High-Speed Broadband connectivity to every person in the country. He pointed out that steps are being taken this year to install 100 new telecommunication towers. He further stated that between 600 to 1000 telecommunication towers would be required to fully meet the national requirement, and that this would be carried out in stages.He also emphasized that although approximately 98% internet coverage currently exists in the country, it does not meet the requirements for High-Speed Broadband coverage. Therefore, he stated that the existing capacity must be increased by around 25% in order to provide High-Speed Broadband facilities to every child.Furthermore, he noted that a commercial model will be prepared in relation to telecommunication towers, and opportunities will be given to the private sector to submit bids for this purpose.The Committee also focused attention on the need to improve digital literacy in areas outside Colombo, and it was proposed that programmes be organized through District Secretariat offices for this purpose.In addition, discussions were held regarding the action plan for allocating 2026 budget provisions for the Ministry of Science and Technology, and several annual reports and performance reports of institutions were approved.The meeting was attended by Hon. Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe, and Members of Parliament Chandima Hettiarachchi, Lasith Bhashana Gamage, Chathura Galappaththi, Aboobucker Athambawa and Ruwan Wijeweera.
2026-02-13
The Committee on High Posts of parliament has approved the nominations of four Heads of Mission. The approval was granted when the Committee met in Parliament recently (Feb. 06) under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.Accordingly, the Committee approved the nominations of Mr. Horana Mahawatte Gedara Saman Kumar Chandrasiri as the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the State of Israel, Mr. Warnakulasuriya Peter Rohan Dhammika Fernando as the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the Republic of Kenya, Anura Withanage as the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Lebanese Republic, and Mohamed Farook Mohamed Fawzer as the Representative of Sri Lanka to the State of Palestine.
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