2025-03-11
News Categories : Committee News
Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Hon. Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, stated that the process of healing between communities should be undertaken and that the government is making the necessary interventions in this regard.
The Minister made these remarks during the first meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs for the Tenth Parliament, held under his chairmanship on 2025.03.08. The Hon. Deputy Minister Gamagedara Dissanayake was also present at this meeting.
The Minister made this statement when an inquiry was raised during the Committee regarding a temple constructed in the Jaffna Walikamam North area. He pointed out that he intends to visit the location for an inspection and expects to take a more just intervention accordingly.
Furthermore, the Minister stated that this time, with the support of the Department, the stock of 50 metric tons of dates received as a gift from the Saudi government was distributed very fairly among thousands of mosques. He also mentioned that he had received reports of irregularities in the past regarding the distribution of these dates and that, for the first time in history, the distribution was carried out in a fair and transparent manner.
A prolonged discussion was held regarding a request made on behalf of a group of workers who lost their employment from a private company established under the Central Cultural Fund for cultural conservation and construction activities. Officials stated that these individuals were temporarily employed. However, due to a court ruling instructing that they be reinstated and paid their salary in arrears, an amount of Rs. 55.9 million has to be paid by the Central Cultural Fund. It was also revealed that the Central Cultural Fund has obtained a writ order concerning this decision, temporarily halting the payment.
The Minister pointed out that due to the lack of proper guidance from officials and political authorities, the proper regularization of this group, recruited in 2012, has not been carried out for 13 years. He further stated that his government has to deal with past mistakes but is working more intelligently to resolve them.
The need for the registration of Christian priests was also discussed at this meeting. Officials stated that this longstanding issue was identified and that a process for registering Christian denominations, churches, and priests was initiated last year. Accordingly, relevant application forms have been published on the website.
The possibility of utilizing the income received by ‘Basnayaka Nilame’ and ‘Kapu Mahaththaya’ for the development of the country in some manner was also expressed as an opinion. The Minister stated that the temporary ‘Basnayaka Nilame’ appointed for the Sabaragamuwa Maha Saman Devalaya has disclosed that the temple’s income from offerings for a month amounts to Rs. 6.2 million. He emphasized that this sector should therefore be reconsidered from a new perspective.
Attention was also drawn to the registration of Muslim mosques and Jummah mosques. It was revealed that for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage, a quota of 3,500 pilgrims has been allocated for Sri Lanka and the cost per person was Rs. 2.1 million. Since a profit of nearly Rs. 300,000 per pilgrim is considered unfair, the necessity of providing further relief to the pilgrims was discussed. The Minister instructed officials to explore the available options for this purpose.
Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Members of Parliament, and officials from institutions under the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs participated in this Ministerial Consultative Committee meeting.
2026-08-07
The Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) of Parliament has approved the salary of the Auditor General following an extensive discussion on the salary and allowances attached to the office.The decision was taken when the Committee met in Parliament recently (Aug. 04) under the Chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Dr. Harsha de Silva, with the participation of Hon. Deputy Ministers Chathuranga Abeysinghe and Nishantha Jayawera, and Hon. Members of Parliament Ravi Karunanayake, Nimal Palihena, Wijesiri Basnayake, M.K.M. Aslam, Thilina Samarakoon and Champika Hettiarachchi.The proposal relating to the salary of the Auditor General was taken up for consideration in terms of Article 153(2) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.During the discussion, the Chair and Committee Members exchanged views on the proposed salary level, taking into account the responsibilities of the Auditor General, the role in overseeing public finance, and the need to safeguard the independence of the national audit function.The Committee further observed that, in terms of Article 170 of the Constitution, the Auditor General is not a public officer and that, accordingly, special consideration may be given to determining the Auditor General's salary outside the existing public sector salary scale. Officials stated that the proposed salary had been determined after taking into account the salaries of previous Auditors General. They further noted that, while the salary had previously been determined by the National Salaries and Cadre Commission, no such Commission is currently in operation.While approving the proposed salary, the Committee was of the view that, given the significance of the office and the responsibilities entrusted to the Auditor General, the remuneration should be at a higher level. Accordingly, the Committee emphasized the need to give further consideration to the salary in the future and take any necessary decisions. The Chair of the Committee also proposed the establishment of a permanent and independent Salaries and Cadre Commission.
2026-08-07
Select Committee of Parliament to review the laws dealing with Elections (excluding laws dealing with Provincial Council Elections) and report to Parliament and submit its proposals and recommendations in that regard, has appointed an expert panel to review 31 proposals submitted by individuals and organisations on electoral reforms, together with reports of previous Parliamentary Select Committees on electoral reforms.The decision was taken when the Committee met recently at Parliament under the Chairmanship of the Hon. Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, Prof. A.H.M.H. Abayarathna.During the meeting, the Committee held extensive discussions on electoral reforms based on the Parliamentary Select Committee reports issued in 2004, 2007 and 2022, as well as the 31 proposals submitted by individuals and organisations.The Committee considered several key proposals, including the introduction of a mixed electoral system for Local Government elections, ensuring the representation of minority parties and minority groups, increasing women's representation, introducing an electronic voting system, and providing facilities for early voting. Attention was also given to proposals on granting voting rights to Sri Lankans living overseas. The Committee emphasised the need for further study of the legal and administrative provisions required to implement such a system.The expert panel appointed by the Committee will analyse the 31 proposals received together with the reports of the previous Parliamentary Select Committees and prepare a report containing practical recommendations. The Committee decided to review the recommendations of the expert panel before taking further action.The meeting was attended by Committee Member, Hon. Minister Dr. Upali Pannilage, and Hon. Members of Parliament Ravi Karunanayake, Ruwanthilaka Jayakody, and Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan.
2026-08-07
The first in a series of regional workshops organized by the Parliamentary Caucus for Open Parliament Initiative will be held for the youth of the Gampaha District on 16 August at the Jetwing Blue Hotel in Negombo, according to the Caucus's Co-Chair, Hon. Member of Parliament Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam.Arrangements for the workshop were discussed at a meeting of the Parliamentary Caucus held on 5 August 2026, under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Shanakiyan Rasamanickam.The regional workshop series is being organized with the objective of further promoting the concept of Open Parliament through the active participation of young people. Members of the Parliamentary Caucus, together with Members of Parliament representing the Gampaha District, are expected to participate in the event.The workshops are intended to enhance awareness, particularly among young people, of the work of Parliament, the legislative process, and the principles of Open Parliament. They also seek to further strengthen the relationship between Parliament and the public by encouraging greater citizen engagement.The meeting was attended by members of the Parliamentary Caucus for Open Parliament Initiative as well as representatives of CII (Coalition for Inclusive Impact), the development partner providing support for the workshop series.Young men and women aged 18–35 years residing in the Gampaha District who wish to participate in the workshop are requested to register by completing the online application form via the following link:https://forms.gle/aVp5UzhLbtPSmVap8
2026-08-05
The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) wishes to inform the public that, during its meeting held on 08 October 2025 to examine the Audited Annual Reports for the years 2022 and 2023, as well as the current performance of the Construction Industry Development Authority (CIDA), concerns arose regarding the conduct of two members of the Board of Directors of the Authority.The Committee noted that one of the officials attended the meeting in a manner that did not comply with the prescribed dress code applicable to appearances before Parliamentary Committees. In addition, both officials left the Committee proceedings without obtaining the prior permission of the Chair, contrary to established Parliamentary practice and procedure.Following these incidents, and pursuant to a question of privilege raised by the Hon. Chair of COPE, both officials appeared before the Committee on Ethics and Privileges on 17 February 2026 in connection with allegations of contempt of Parliament. During the proceedings, they tendered their sincere apologies for their conduct.After due deliberation, the Committee on Ethics and Privileges, together with the Chair of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE), accepted their apologies, noting that the officials had acknowledged the gravity of their actions and demonstrated an understanding of the importance of respecting the authority, dignity, and established procedures of Parliamentary Committees.The Committee wishes to emphasize that all individuals appearing before Parliamentary Committees are expected to observe the highest standards of conduct, comply with parliamentary procedures, and uphold the dignity and authority of Parliament at all times.Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE)Parliament of Sri Lanka
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