2025-03-07
News Categories : Committee News
The issue of human-wildlife conflict was extensively discussed during the meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Environment, with an emphasis on the need to seek necessary scientific solutions in this regard. Specifically, the responsibilities of relevant institutions were deliberated separately, while issues such as the wildlife conflict and the lack of adequate human and physical resources were identified as key concerns.
During the discussions, Members of Parliament presented concerns to the Committee regarding conflicts arising due to animals that cause crop damage, including elephants, monkeys, grizzled giant squirrel, and peacocks. It was highlighted that immediate action is necessary to control the overpopulation of monkeys, porcupines, and peacocks, as failure to do so could result in a severe crisis in the agricultural sector. During the discussion, Hon. Minister (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi pointed out that although it may be challenging to provide immediate solutions, efforts are being made to implement the necessary remedies as soon as possible.
Furthermore, it was stated that necessary measures are being taken to mitigate the human-elephant conflict and that elephant migratory paths have already been identified. Hon. Deputy Minister Anton Jayakody stated that efforts are underway to identify and address obstructed migratory routes. Additionally, he mentioned that within two weeks, necessary measures, including the installation of surveillance camera systems, will be taken to prevent elephant-train collisions.
These discussions took place during the meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Environment, Chaired by Hon. Minister (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi at Parliament on the 05.03.2025.
At the beginning of the Committee meeting, officials from the respective institutions under the purview of the ministry provided clarifications. It was also noted that, for the first time in history, all environment-related institutions have been brought under a single ministry, a move that was commended by both Members of Parliament and officials.
Furthermore, Hon. Deputy Minister Anton Jayakody clarified that the assessment scheduled for the 15th of March is not a wildlife census but merely a simple survey. Expanding on this, he explained that the survey is being conducted solely to gather some preliminary data in an area where no prior data is available. He emphasized that it would be inappropriate to ridicule this effort.
Illegal sand mining was also discussed during the meeting, where Hon. Deputy Minister Anton Jayakody revealed that approximately 50% of sand mining activities are not legally compliant.
Joining the discussions, Hon. Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa stressed the importance of addressing the issue of workforce adequacy within the Department of Wildlife Conservation. He also inquired about the government's policies on crop insurance, life insurance, and property insurance. Responding to these concerns, Hon. Deputy Minister Anton Jayakody stated that the government has taken steps to double the compensation payments under the insurance scheme. However, he also emphasized that the government’s primary objective is to prevent the loss of human lives and property.
The meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee was attended by Hon. Deputy Minister Anton Jayakody, Hon. Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa, and other Hon. Members of Parliament.
2026-08-04
A delegation of the Women Parliamentarians' Caucus of the Parliament of Sri Lanka successfully concluded an official visit to the People's Republic of China from 25 July to 2 August 2026, undertaken at the invitation of H.E. Qi Zhenhong, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Sri Lanka. The visit focused on strengthening Parliamentary cooperation, promoting women's leadership, and enhancing bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and China.The delegation was led by Saroja Savithri Paulraj, Hon. Minister of Women and Child Affairs, and comprised nine other Hon. Women Members of Parliament including Rohini Kumari Wijeratne, Oshani Umanga, Nilanthi Kottahachchi, Attorney at Law, M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani, Nilusha Lakmali Gamage, Attorney at Law, Thushari Jayasingha, Attorney at Law, Anushka Thilakarathne, Attorney at Law, A.M.M.M. Rathwaththe and Geetha Herath, Attorney at Law. The delegation was accompanied by Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, Secretary-General of Parliament and Secretary to the Women Parliamentarians' Caucus, and Mr. Lahiru Pathiranage, Parliamentary Officer (Protocol Division), Parliament of Sri Lanka.During the visit, the delegation participated in a comprehensive programme in Shenzhen and Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, which combined official meetings, academic sessions, institutional visits, and cultural engagements. The programme provided valuable opportunities to study China's development experience, innovation ecosystem, and approaches to governance.The delegation attended a lecture on the remarkable transformation of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone and China's Reform and Opening-Up policy, gaining insights into the country's economic development strategy. Members also visited several internationally renowned enterprises, including Huawei Technologies, Tencent, Mindray, BYD and other innovation centres to observe advancements in artificial intelligence, digital technology, smart healthcare, modern agriculture, renewable energy, and industrial innovation.The official programme included meetings with leaders of the Shenzhen Municipal Government, Guangdong Provincial Government, and Guangzhou Municipal Government, where discussions focused on strengthening Parliamentary cooperation, enhancing people to people relations, promoting women's empowerment, and identifying opportunities for future collaboration between Sri Lanka and China.A significant highlight of the visit was the exchange with the Shenzhen Women's Federation, where the delegation explored China's initiatives on women's empowerment, childcare services, family welfare, and community development. The discussions enabled both sides to share experiences and best practices on promoting women's participation in leadership and public life.The delegation also undertook several cultural and heritage visits, including Lianhua Hill Park, Great Tides Surge Along the Pearl River Exhibition Hall, Guangdong Museum and Guangzhou Metro Museum gaining a deeper understanding of China's rich cultural heritage, urban development, and historical evolution.The official visit further strengthened the longstanding friendship between Sri Lanka and China while creating new avenues for Parliamentary dialogue, institutional cooperation, and knowledge sharing. The delegation expressed its sincere appreciation to the Government of the People's Republic of China, the Embassy of China in Sri Lanka, the Guangdong Provincial authorities, and all host institutions for the warm hospitality and the excellent arrangements made throughout the visit.
2026-08-03
The Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) has approved the Rs. 71.7 billion relief package allocated through Supplementary Estimate No. 03 of 2026 to provide relief to those affected by the economic repercussions arising from the conflict in the Middle East.The Committee also reviewed the allocations made under the relief package introduced by the Government to ease the burden on people affected by the prevailing economic difficulties, as well as the manner in which the funds are to be utilized.These matters were discussed when the Committee on Public Finance met in Parliament on 28 July under the Chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Dr. Harsha de Silva.Hon. Deputy Ministers Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne and Nishantha Jayawickrema, Hon. MP Ravi Karunanayake, and officials representing the relevant State institutions attended the meeting. Hon. Members of Parliament Attorney-at-Law Chitral Fernando, Thilina Samarakoon and Wiresiri Basnayake, joined the proceedings virtually.During the discussion, it was revealed that the largest allocation under the Rs. 71.7 billion relief package, amounting to Rs. 52.8 billion, has been earmarked for the petroleum sector. Officials informed the Committee that the allocation was made to offset potential losses arising from increased fuel landing costs and to ensure the uninterrupted supply of fuel, thereby preventing possible shortages in the country.Officials further explained that the Rs. 71.7 billion allocation consists of two components. The first is Rs. 52.8 billion reallocated to settle payments relating to relief measures, including fuel subsidies provided during May and June 2026. The second is Rs. 18.9 billion reallocated to replenish the annual budget contingency reserve, which had been utilized to finance the April 2026 fuel subsidy for the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and other fuel suppliers, fertilizer subsidies for smallholder tea growers, and assistance provided to the fisheries sector.The Committee was informed that, similar to the Rs. 20 billion Supplementary Estimate reviewed on 11 June 2026, this request would not increase either the expenditure ceiling or the borrowing limit for 2026. It was clarified that the proposal represents only a reallocation of already approved budgetary provisions.It was also disclosed that the entire Rs. 71.7 billion allocation will be financed from the unutilized balance of the Rs. 500 billion Supplementary Estimate No. 01 of 2026, which had been allocated for relief and recovery measures following Cyclone Ditwah. As at 30 June 2026, only Rs. 243.9 billion of that allocation had been utilized.Accordingly, the Committee noted that the fuel subsidy should be viewed as a consumer relief measure rather than a subsidy granted to fuel companies, and that it is a temporary intervention introduced in response to the prevailing circumstances.The Committee was further informed that fuel suppliers, including the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, received subsidies amounting to approximately Rs. 20,507 million for April 2026 alone. Of this amount, Rs. 15,000 million was allocated to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, Rs. 2,340 million to Lanka IOC PLC, Rs. 1,501 million to Sinopec, and Rs. 1,666 million to RM Parks.The Committee also discussed the overall distribution of the Rs. 71.7 billion relief package, under which Rs. 15 billion has been allocated to the Ceylon Electricity Board, Rs. 8.2 billion for the Aswesuma programme, Rs. 3 billion to support agricultural activities during the Yala cultivation season, Rs. 2.2 billion for smallholder plantation farmers, and Rs. 1.2 billion for the fisheries sector.The Road Development Authority also briefed the Committee on the progress of projects undertaken following the damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah. Officials stated that the Governments of India and China have pledged assistance for the reconstruction of damaged bridges. They further informed the Committee that construction of the Galagedara and Rambukkana interchanges of the Central Expressway is expected to be completed by the end of 2028. It was also noted that tenders have already been called for the electricity supply system for the expressways and that work is expected to commence within the next three months.The Committee also discussed the potential impact of the El Niño phenomenon. Chair of the Committee, Hon. Dr. Harsha de Silva, emphasized the importance of strengthening the Disaster Management Statutory Fund to enable the country to respond more effectively to future climate-related events.In addition, the Committee held an extensive discussion on the determination of the salary of the Auditor General. Views were also exchanged on matters relating to the public sector salary structure. The Committee decided to continue deliberations on these matters at a future meeting before reaching a final decision.
2026-08-03
The Parliamentary Caucus for Open Parliament Initiative held extensive discussions on organizing three regional workshops aimed at further promoting the concept of an Open Parliament through the active participation of youth representatives. The discussions took place when the Caucus met in Parliament recently under the co-chairmanship of Hon. Minister Prof. Krishantha Abeysena and Hon. Member of Parliament Shanakkiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam.Accordingly, the Caucus agreed to hold the first workshop in the Gampaha District on 8 August 2026, the second workshop in the Eastern Province on 29 August 2026, and the third workshop in Kandy on 5 September 2026.The workshops are intended to enhance awareness among young people on the functions of Parliament, the legislative process, and the principles of Open Parliament, while further strengthening the relationship between Parliament and citizens through greater public engagement.The Caucus also discussed organizing a study visit to India for its members to examine the country's Open Parliament practices and approaches to public participation, with a view to drawing lessons that could support the further development of Sri Lanka's Open Parliament Initiative.The meeting was attended by Members of the Caucus as well as representatives of the Coalition for Inclusive Impact (CII), the development partner supporting the implementation of the workshops.
2026-08-03
The Committee on Ways and Means reviewed the progress of the ongoing process to revise the existing beneficiary selection criteria for the Aswesuma Welfare Programme.The matter was taken up when the Committee met in Parliament rcently under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Wijesiri Basnayake.The Committee had previously instructed the relevant authorities to review the existing beneficiary selection criteria in order to identify and address shortcomings in the current selection process for the Aswesuma Welfare Programme.Accordingly, officials of the Welfare Benefits Board briefed the Committee on the pilot study relating to the new beneficiary selection methodology recommended by the expert committee appointed for this purpose.Officials informed the Committee that the proposed methodology seeks to replace the existing selection criteria with a new framework based on socio-economic vulnerability. They further stated that a pilot study is expected to be conducted in several selected districts to test the proposed methodology before its wider implementation.It was also revealed that the proposed methodology would assess a range of socio-economic vulnerability indicators, including employment and livelihood security of the household, family composition, ageing, disability, chronic illnesses, access to housing and essential services, as well as household indebtedness.The Committee held extensive discussions on the proposed methodology and subsequently granted its approval for the implementation of the pilot study.The meeting was attended by Committee Members, Hon. Deputy Ministers Chathuranga Abeysinghe and Eranga Weeraratne, as well as Hon. Members of Parliament Dr. Nandana Millagala, Thilina Samarakoon, Champika Hettiarachchi, and Chathura Galappatthi, together with other officials.
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