2025-06-06
The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) has recommended the appointment of an independent investigation committee to examine all corruption and irregularities prevailing at the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. Instructions were given to the Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education to appoint the said investigation committee without involving any officials of the current administrative authority and to conduct and complete the relevant investigations as soon as possible.
This was discussed during the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) held on the June 4th at the Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera for the purpose of examining the Auditor General’s report and the current performance of the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka for the financial year 2023.
Furthermore, the incident involving Charith Dilshan, a student who committed suicide while studying in his second year at the university, was also discussed extensively in the committee. During this discussion, the Marshal of the university expressing his views regarding the New Year celebrations organized at the university, which allegedly contributed to the incident, stated that he was not informed about the event by the administration. He also stated that approval for the event was granted without following proper procedures. Furthermore, the Marshal also mentioned that he had informed the administration in writing about possible outcomes that could arise in student hostels. Accordingly, the committee chair pointed out that it appears there have been lapses in supervision regarding student activities by the administration. Consequently, the committee instructed ministry officials to conduct an effective and independent investigation into this incident as well.
The committee also discussed an incident where, in 2022, approval was granted for a contractor to excavate 500 cubes of soil free of charge from the university premises upon the request of a local council member of the Imbulpe Pradeshiya Sabha. Although internal approval had been granted by the administration to remove the soil, university officials stated that, upon realizing the mistake, no official approval was subsequently given to the contractor. However, it was revealed during the committee that even though the university’s security division had informed the administration about the removal of soil by the said contractor on 19.10.2022, the university administration had only filed a police complaint regarding the incident in 2024.
The committee also discussed the matter concerning the registration of students for courses at the university. Officials stated that, on average, around 7,000 students who receive university admission yearly do not register in the first round. However, they pointed out that the vacancies are filled after conducting several rounds of registration. Accordingly, the committee chair emphasized the importance of focusing attention on strengthening the state university system.
Furthermore, although over Rs. 123 million had been spent in 2014 for the construction of the university's sports ground and gymnasium, several issues had arisen such as water stagnation on the playground, surface roughness due to erosion of mixed soil, and cracking of side embankments, according to the Auditor General's Department. Based on a previous COPE recommendation, although the Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau (CECB) had renovated the side embankments and gymnasium and handed them over to the university, the Auditor General pointed out that the sports ground had not been properly accepted and maintained by the university. As a result, it was revealed during the committee that students faced significant difficulties in using the playground due to water stagnation and surface roughness.
When questioned about this, the university administration pointed out that due to the physical location of the area, termite mounds appear in places on the playground.
Commenting on this, the committee chair questioned the lack of a designated person responsible for maintaining the sports ground. He also inquired into the fact that, despite the magnitude of the project, no permanent engineer had been appointed for supervision, and instead, a project engineer was used for such duties, which was also highlighted by the Auditor General. In response, the university’s project engineer stated that the responsibility had not been assigned to him by the Vice Chancellor. However, it was revealed in the committee that, at one point, the sports ground maintenance had been handed over to the cleaning division, and at present, it is under the care of the sports division.
It was also disclosed that during the construction of a housing complex for university staff, more than Rs. 2.6 million had been paid to the contractor based on the certification of the project engineer, despite the contractor not having requested the amount.
Additionally, in the construction of the university’s new library building, it was disclosed that the contractor had abandoned the contract work midway, and since the performance bond was not encashed, a loss of more than Rs. 28.8 million had been incurred. Although a surcharge notice had been issued for this loss, it had not yet been recovered.
However, to prevent such situations from recurring, arrangements had been made to recruit a project manager to systematically supervise all construction projects. However, the said individual had resigned after serving for less than four months. The committee extensively discussed that he had resigned due to not receiving the requested service facilities.
Hon. Members of Parliament Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney at Law, M.K.M. Aslam, Samanmali Gunasingha, Sudath Balagalla, Jagath Manuwarna, Ruwan Mapalagama, Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana, (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam, Thilina Samarakoon, Chandima Hettiarachchi, Dinesh Hemanta, and Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney at Law were present at this COPE meeting held.
2026-09-03
The Committee on Ways and Means of Parliament recently reviewed the operations of Sri Lanka Customs, including its revenue performance. The matter was considered when the Committee met recently under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Wijesiri Basnayake.Officials, including the Director General of Customs, informed the Committee that the expected Customs revenue as of June 30, 2026, was Rs. 1,060,559 million, while actual revenue collected by that date amounted to Rs. 1,379,084 million. This represented 130% achievement against the expected revenue target. Officials further informed the Committee that Customs had generated revenue exceeding the monthly targets in every month of the year to date, and that, compared with 2025, higher revenue performance had been recorded in each month.Providing information on vehicle imports in 2026, officials stated that 316,000 vehicles had been imported as of June 30, 2026, generating Rs. 512,547 million in tax revenue. According to the information presented to the Committee, the highest amount of tax revenue, Rs. 386,726 million, had been generated through the importation of motor vehicles.Furthermore, among the categories of commodities generating the highest Customs revenue, petrol motor cars less than 1,000cc ranked first, generating Rs. 137.4 billion. This represented 9.96% of total revenue.The Committee also focused on matters including the volume of imported containers and the procedures followed for their inspection, the introduction of modern technology to improve the efficiency of Sri Lanka Customs operations, challenges in revenue administration, and future plans.Several Members of the Committee on Ways and Means, together with officials representing the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and Sri Lanka Customs, participated in the Committee meeting.
2026-09-03
The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs focused its attention on a number of matters relating to ensuring public security, curbing illegal activities, and enhancing the efficiency of the police service.This was discussed when the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs met in Parliament on the Aug. 21st, under the chairmanship of Hon. Minister Ananda Wijepala.The Committee paid particular attention to measures taken by the Police to combat cybercrime, illegal online gambling activities and fraud. Officials stated that steps had been taken to block websites associated with illegal gambling and other unlawful activities.It was also revealed that legal action had been taken against foreign nationals residing in Sri Lanka who were engaged in illegal activities related to cybercrime. Officials further stated that arrangements had been made to deport such foreign nationals in coordination with the embassies of the respective countries.Officials appearing before the Committee stated that steps had been taken to recruit software engineers and lawyers to strengthen the human resources required for cybercrime investigations, particularly in terms of technical and legal expertise. They also noted that arrangements were being made to provide newly recruited officers with field training as well as the necessary overseas training.Discussions were also held on the need to introduce new technological systems and establish a centralized system capable of operating in real time in order to make investigations into cybercrime and financial fraud more efficient. It was particularly noted that necessary coordination measures were being undertaken to minimize existing barriers to sharing data with foreign institutions in relation to crimes involving the use of cryptocurrencies.Furthermore, extensive discussions were held on the current status of information received through Community Security Committees, measures to prevent sensitive information received through these committees from being disclosed externally, and further strengthening community policing services.In addition, the Committee emphasized the importance of expediting police investigations to curb illegal activities while upholding the rule of law, making greater use of modern technology, and obtaining further public support.A number of officials, together with Members of the Committee, participated in the Committee meeting.
2026-09-02
The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations focused its attention on the “InSA” (Integrated Systematic Approach for the Family Development of Migrant Workers) Project, which is to be implemented to ensure the welfare of families and the protection of children of workers migrating for foreign employment.The matter was discussed at a meeting of the Committee held on the Aug. 21st, under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Attorney-at-Law Lakmali Hemachandra.It was revealed at the meeting that the programme, which is to be implemented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is scheduled to commence at the Divisional Secretariat level from October 1, 2026.It was stated that the primary objective of the programme is to develop family development plans focusing on key areas including the long-term financial management of families of migrant workers, child health and protection, employment training, and small business and export development.The Committee particularly emphasized the need to establish a formal plan for the care, protection and education of children when mothers with children between the ages of 2 and 18 migrate overseas, covering the period during which the mothers are abroad. Attention was also drawn to addressing mothers with children below the age of two in accordance with the existing legal and administrative procedures.The programme is expected to obtain the contribution of Child Rights Promotion Officers, who will provide necessary interventions concerning child protection and family welfare at three stages: prior to departure overseas, while the parent is overseas, and following the family's return to Sri Lanka.Accordingly, it was stated that Child Rights Promotion Officers will intervene to ensure that alternative care plans prepared for children can be practically implemented, identify situations involving risks, and prepare special care plans where necessary. Attention will also be given to providing psychosocial support, including strengthening family relationships, to families returning to Sri Lanka after living overseas.Furthermore, “InSA Committees” are to be established at the Divisional Secretariat level. These committees are expected to work under the chairmanship of the Assistant Divisional Secretary, together with Child Rights Promotion Officers, Early Childhood Development Officers and other relevant field officers, it was stated at the Committee meeting.It was also revealed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been proposed between the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment and the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs concerning child protection-related activities.The Committee also emphasized the importance of all workers leaving the country for foreign employment registering with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment. As there may be difficulties in implementing welfare and protection programmes for the families of individuals who travel overseas through informal channels, including on tourist visas, due to the absence of official data on such persons, the Committee stressed the need to maintain a formal data system on workers departing the country for foreign employment.During the implementation of the programme, progress is to be monitored at the district level through District Secretaries. The relevant parties were instructed to submit a report on the progress of the “InSA” Project to the Committee by February 2027.
2026-09-02
The Chief of Defence Staff (Repeal) Bill was recently considered by the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection.The matter was discussed when the Committee met recently in Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Dr. Najith Indika. A group of officials, including Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha, were summoned to the meeting.The Bill has been introduced to repeal the Chief of Defence Staff Act, No. 35 of 2009. The Act was enacted in 2009 to carry out functions including the coordination of activities between the Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence, in accordance with the requirements of the time.However, considering the current situation in the country, it has been determined that there is no longer a need to maintain a dedicated office or position for the coordination of the three Armed Forces. Accordingly, under the ongoing restructuring process of the three Armed Forces, such coordination is being carried out through the Ministry of Defence.It was also observed that, given the country’s current economic situation, transferring the functions of the office to the Ministry of Defence could reduce the financial burden on the Government.Accordingly, the Sectoral Oversight Committee approved the Bill, which is scheduled to be taken up for debate in Parliament on September 9 for the Second Reading.Several Members of Parliament serving on the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection participated in the meeting.
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