2025-06-06
News Categories : Committee News
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.
2026-04-02
The Committee on High Posts has approved the appointments of four Ministry Secretaries.The approval was granted when the Committee met in Parliament recently (Mar. 20) under the chairmanship of Hon. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.Accordingly, the Committee approved the appointments of Air Vice Marshall H.S.S Thuyyacontha (Retd.) as the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Mr. L Mohamed Navavi as the Secretary to the Ministry of Science and Technology, Mrs. W.M.D.T Wickramasinghe as the Secretary to the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs and Mr. W.W.S Mangala as the Secretary to the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation.
2026-03-31
A Parliamentary delegation from the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, led by Hon. S. M. Marikkar, Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Committee, undertook a Parliamentary Study Tour to New Delhi and Mumbai from 22nd to 27th March 2026, following an invitation extended by the High Commission of India.The Sri Lankan delegation comprised the Chief Opposition Whip Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka, Members of Parliament Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha, Hon. Manjula Suraweera Arachchi, Hon. K. Ilankumaran, Hon. Chathura Galappaththi, Hon. Ravindra Bandara, Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana, Hon. Shantha Pathma Kumara Subasingha, Hon. (Mrs.) Geetha Herath, Attorney at Law, Hon. Kins Nelson and Hon. Dharmapriya Wijesinghe. Parliament staff members attached to the office of the Sectoral Oversight Committees who were also present included Assistant Director (Administration) Mr. K. P. Chandana, Principal Officer Ms. S. W. T. R. De Silva and Parliamentary Officer Ms. W. K. A. M. M. M. Arthanayaka. The delegation arrived in New Delhi on 22nd March 2026 and commenced official engagements on the following day. The programme included a meeting with the Foreign Secretary of India and a floral tribute at Prerna Sthal in the Parliament House Complex. The delegation also paid a courtesy call on the Hon. Om Birla, Speaker of the Lok Sabha.An orientation session on the Indian Parliamentary system was conducted, providing valuable insights into institutional structures and legislative processes. The delegation further held productive interactions with the Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture, as well as the Standing Committee on Housing and Urban Affairs.On 24th March 2026, the delegation participated in a series of technical and policy-focused engagements, including a session on India’s “PM Gati Shakti” National Master Plan. Visits were made to the National Highways Authority of India and the Solar Energy Corporation of India, alongside discussions with the Confederation of Indian Industry. The delegation also engaged with the India-Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship Group, further strengthening bilateral Parliamentary relations.Continuing its programme on 25th March 2026, the delegation visited the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation to study urban mass transit systems and best practices in public transportation. This was followed by an interaction with the New Delhi Municipal Council on Smart City initiatives, focusing on urban governance, digital infrastructure, and sustainable urban development. The delegation also met with officials of the Jal Jeevan Mission under the Ministry of Jal Shakti to discuss large-scale water supply management and rural infrastructure development.The programme in Mumbai included visits to key infrastructure and development sites such as the Atal Setu Bridge and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, as well as the Navi Mumbai Airport. The delegation also visited the Power Exchange India Limited and met with the Hon. Chief Minister of Maharashtra.On 27th March 2026, the delegation visited prominent locations including the Gateway of India and Elephanta Caves. The programme also included a meeting with the Hon. Speaker of the Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha and discussions with senior officials responsible for investment promotion and industries, prior to their departure to Colombo.Sri Lanka’s participation in this Parliamentary Study Tour underscored its continued commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation with India and advancing institutional capacity, knowledge exchange, and best practices in infrastructure and strategic development through sustained Parliamentary engagement.
2026-03-30
Progress on the implementation of recommendations issued by the COPA on 06th January 2026 was reviewed Matters relating to the 2024 Auditor General’s Report and current performance were also examined The Department of Archaeology was summoned before the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA), where attention was drawn to the progress made in implementing the recommendations issued at the COPA meeting held on 06th January 2026, as well as to the current performance of the Department.These matters were discussed at the COPA meeting held in Parliament on 19th March 2026 under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Kabir Hashim, to examine the Auditor General’s triennial report for the years 2021–2023, the 2024 Auditor General’s Report, and the current performance of the Department of Archaeology.At its meeting on 06th January 2026, it was recommended that a report on the gazetted and ungazetted antiquities identified by the Department of Archaeology be submitted to the Committee within a month. However, the Auditor General’s Department pointed out that data relating to antiquities not declared by Gazette had still not been submitted to the Committee. Accordingly, the Chair of the Committee instructed that a report be submitted within two weeks, including details of such antiquities, reasons for not publishing them by Gazette, and a proposed timeline for their gazetting.The Committee also focused on the lack of progress in implementing the recommendation to establish a centralized data system for the Department of Archaeology, and instructed that a progress report on this matter be submitted to the Committee.Furthermore, it was revealed that although Cabinet approval stipulates that 25% of the revenue generated by the Central Cultural Fund should be allocated to the Ministry of National Heritage, the Department of Archaeology has been requesting a lower allocation annually. Officials who appeared before the Committee stated that funds allocated through Cabinet approval had remained unutilized, and that there are plans to reduce future allocations requested from the Treasury accordingly.The shortage of vehicles available to the Department was also discussed, with officials noting that this has significantly affected the institution’s performance. The Committee stated that it would take steps to raise this matter with the relevant authorities.The meeting was attended by Committee Member Hon. Deputy Minister Dinindu Saman Hennayake and Hon. Members of Parliament (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah, Hector Appuhamy, Chanaka Madugoda, Chandana Sooriyaarachchi, and Ruwanthilaka Jayakody.
2026-03-30
The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Youth Affairs and Sports has granted approval for the regulations under the “Convention Against Doping in Sports Act.” These regulations have been published in the Extraordinary Gazette No. 2471/51 dated 16 January 2026.The approval was granted at a meeting of the Committee held recently (Mar. 20) in Parliament, under the chairmanship of the Hon. Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage, with the participation of the Hon. Deputy Minister, Dinindu Saman Hennayake.A number of Member Parliamentarians of the Committee, as well as non-member Parliamentarians, were present at the meeting. Officials, including the Secretary to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, also attended the occasion.
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