2025-06-12
The Committee on Public Accounts (COPA), chaired by Hon. Member of Parliament Aravinda Senarath, recommended that an audit be conducted on the daily financial loss incurred due to train cancellations.
This recommendation was made during the Committee’s meeting held recently (Jun. 05) at Parliament to discuss the Auditor General’s Report for the year 2023 and the current performance of the Sri Lanka Railways Department.
The Sri Lanka Railways Department was summoned before the Committee on May 08, during which the 2023 Auditor General’s Report was reviewed. Based on the issues revealed, the Committee decided to further discuss matters related to this institution. Accordingly, former General Managers of Railways and former Secretaries to the Ministry were also summoned and were present at the meeting.
The Committee’s attention was drawn to the insufficient number of audit and management committee meetings held, and inquiries were made from the former Secretaries to the Ministry and former General Managers of Railways regarding the lack of adequate meetings from 2021 to 2024. In response, the former officials pointed out that the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic during this period hindered the ability to hold such meetings. Although arrangements had been made to regularize these meetings in 2024, the officials stated that the final scheduled meeting could not be held due to staff transfers. The Committee noted that as a result, the institution’s efficiency had declined and that delays in train operations had increased in 64 train delays in 2022, 61 in 2023, and 46 in 2024.
A lengthy discussion was held on this matter, and the Committee recommended that a report be submitted to the Ministry regarding daily train delays and the measures taken to prevent them. Additionally, the Committee recommended that an audit be carried out on the daily losses incurred due to train cancellations.
The Committee also took note that, according to State Finance Circular dated August 28, 2020, the approval of the Chief Financial Officer must be obtained for the procurement plan. However, this approval had not been obtained for the 2024 procurement plan, and the Committee recommended that an investigation be conducted in this regard.
Further, it was discussed that Siam City Cement (Lanka) Ltd. must pay an outstanding revenue amounting to Rs. 2,187,326/= for the transportation of limestone by rail by December 31, 2024. The officials noted that the relevant project is still ongoing and that necessary action is being taken to recover the due payments as scheduled.
On May 22, members of the COPA Committee also undertook an observation tour at the Ratmalana Railway Maintenance Yard. The MPs informed the Committee of the facts revealed during this visit, stating that a large area of the worksite is covered with dismantled machinery and equipment, some of which are not installed in environmentally appropriate conditions. It was also observed that some equipment had been purchased in excess quantities. Following lengthy discussions on the matter, the Committee recommended that a report be submitted regarding the procurement of M11 railway engines, including cost and maintenance expenses.
In addition, the Committee recommended that a detailed report on the financial progress achieved over the past five years be submitted.
COPA member Hon. State Minister Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), Hon. Members of Parliament J. C. Alawathuwala, M. L. A. M. Hizbullah, Chandana Sooriyaarachchi, T. K. Jayasundara, Ruwanthilaka Jayakody, Tushari Jayasinghe Attorney-at-Law, (Dr.) Janaka Senarathna, and Manjula Suraweera Arachchi, along with several government officials were [present at the committee meeting held.
2026-11-14
The financial crisis faced by SriLankan Airlines, frequent flight delays, debt burden and delays in procurement processes for acquiring new aircraft were discussed extensively at the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development.These matters were discussed when the Committee met recently in Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. S. M. Marikkar, Member of Parliament.During the meeting, concerns were raised over the inadequacy of the airline’s existing fleet of 23 aircraft, which are approximately 12 years old. Technical issues and operational delays arising from the ageing fleet were also discussed. It was pointed out that a technical fault or any other disruption involving a single aircraft could affect the entire flight network due to the limited availability of alternative aircraft.The Committee also focused on the failure of conventional procurement processes previously undertaken to acquire aircraft and the lengthy delays associated with them. It was stated that a special set of procurement guidelines had been prepared for the purchase of aircraft and related equipment, and arrangements were being made to gazette these guidelines. It was further revealed that a dedicated procurement unit had been established at the Ministry level to directly oversee the procurement process.Under the new procurement guidelines, plans are underway to expand the airline’s fleet. It is expected that one new narrow-body aircraft and two wide-body aircraft will be added to the fleet by next June. Officials also stated that increasing the fleet to at least 29 aircraft by 2029 is one of the key targets of the five-year plan.It was explained that several measures had been taken through the General Treasury to improve the financial position of SriLankan Airlines, including the takeover of outstanding bank loans and bond-related debt. Attention was also drawn to reducing aircraft leasing costs, managing fuel expenditure and implementing commercial strategies to increase the airline’s revenue.The impact of the prevailing crisis in the Middle East, rising fuel prices and competition from international airlines on SriLankan Airlines’ operations and revenue was also discussed.Furthermore, it was stated that the committee appointed by the Government to restructure SriLankan Airlines was considering several options, including attracting new investors, establishing a public-private partnership, or retaining the airline under State ownership while bringing its operations to a level where it could cover its costs.Accordingly, the Committee instructed the relevant authorities to submit a comprehensive report to Parliament and the Ministry before November 30, outlining the measures required to bring SriLankan Airlines to a cost-recovery level within the next two to three years.Hon. Members of Parliament Ajith P. Perera, Nalin Bandara Jayamaha, Ravindra Bandara, Manjula Suweera Arachchi, Chathura Galappaththi, Dhanushka Ranganath, Jagath Vithana, Shantha Padma Kumara Subasinghe and Attorney-at-Law Geetha Herath also attended the Committee meeting.
2026-11-14
The Committee on Ways and Means held an extensive discussion on Sri Lanka’s tariff policies and the current status of trade agreements. The meeting was held under the Chairmanship of Hon. Vijesiri Basnayake, Member of Parliament at Parliament recently.Mr. Somasena Mahadiulwewa, Director General (Acting) of the Department of Commerce of Sri Lanka, provided a detailed explanation to the Committee on these matters. The discussion focused on the current status of Sri Lanka’s bilateral and multilateral trade agreements and measures to move them forward.The Committee stressed the importance of conducting feasibility studies on trade agreements that are currently under negotiation and taking the necessary steps to ensure that these discussions continue.Hon. Deputy Ministers Chathuranga Abeysinghe and Eranga Weeraratne, and Hon. Members of Parliament Ashoka Sapumal Ranwala, Thilina Samarakoon, Champika Hettiarachchi and Chathura Galappaththi, among others, also participated in the Committee meeting.
2026-11-13
The Prevention of Foreign Terrorist Fighters Bill received the approval of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations.The Bill was considered and approved when the Sectoral Oversight Committee met recently in Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament (Attorney-at-Law) Lakmali Hemachandra. The Bill has been presented to give effect to United Nations Security Council Resolution 2178, adopted on 24 September 2014, which addresses the prevention and suppression of the threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters, and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.The Bill was presented to Parliament for its First Reading on 20 October by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism.Officials explained to the Committee that legal action could be instituted in Sri Lanka under this Act in cases where an offence has been committed within or outside Sri Lanka by a Sri Lankan citizen or a citizen of another country, provided that the act in question also constitutes an offence under the law of the relevant country.Officials further informed the Committee that engaging in terrorist activities, planning or preparing such activities, participating in them, as well as providing or receiving terrorist training, have been defined as offences under the proposed Act.The officials also emphasized that these legal provisions had not been introduced on an ethnic basis or with the intention of targeting Sri Lankans residing overseas.Following an extensive discussion, the Committee approved the Bill. However, Hon. Member of Parliament Sivagnanam Shritharan, a member of the Committee, expressed his opposition to the Bill.Hon. Members of Parliament Suranga Rathnayake, Thilina Samarakoon, Wijesiri Basnayake and Sivagnanam Shritharan, among others, attended the Committee meeting. Government officials representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, the Ministry of Defence, the Attorney General’s Department and the Legal Draftsman’s Department were also present.
2026-11-13
Salary anomalies arising when teachers are appointed to the Sri Lanka Principals’ Service were discussed at length at a subcommittee appointed by the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Manpower and Human Capital.These matters were discussed when the subcommittee met recently under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Sunil Rajapaksa.Representatives of trade unions of the Sri Lanka Principals’ Service and officials representing the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development participated in the meeting.Trade union representatives pointed out that one of the main reasons for these salary anomalies was the fact that the transition from the Teachers’ Service to the Principals’ Service was treated as a “new appointment” rather than a promotion.They further noted that the situation was exacerbated by the significant difference in salary increments when teachers in Grade I of the Teachers’ Service are appointed to Grade III of the Principals’ Service.They also pointed out that although an adjustment allowance had been granted to compensate for the salary difference arising from the appointment to the Principals’ Service, a further salary disparity emerges over time. This is because officers do not receive the higher salary increments, they would have been entitled to had they remained in the Teachers’ Service.It was further emphasized that this situation has discouraged senior and experienced teachers serving in Grades I and II-I of the Teachers’ Service from sitting for the Principals’ Service examination and joining the Principals’ Service.The Chairman of the Subcommittee stated that, having considered the matters presented to the Committee, steps would be taken to submit the relevant recommendations to the Salaries and Pensions Commission for Public Officers.In addition, the Subcommittee decided to hold discussions with the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, and the Director General of Establishments to address other issues faced by officers serving in the Principals’ Service.Hon. Members of Parliament Abubakar Athambawa, Sugath Wasantha de Silva and Chanaka Madugoda also attended the meeting.
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