2025-07-14
The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) recently recommended that legal steps be taken to take over the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), which previously belonged to the Mahapola Trust Fund as an institution administered by the Mahapola Trust Fund, citing that its transformation into a fully private entity was carried out unlawfully.
Accordingly, COPE Chair Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera made this recommendation to Secretary to the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, Mr. K.A. Vimalenthirarajah, and the Chairperson of the Mahapola Trust Fund, Former Justice Vijith Malalgoda.
This recommendation was made during the meeting of the Committee on Public Enterprises held on the 09th, when Lalith Athulathmudali Mahapola Higher Education Scholarship Trust Fund was summoned before the committee to examine the Auditor General’s reports for the years 2022 and 2023 and its current performance.
During the meeting, it was extensively discussed that the property transfer based on a Cabinet decision in 2015 carried out with the consent of the Minister at the time was unlawful. It was also noted that SLIIT had paid Rs. 408 million to the Mahapola Trust Fund in this regard, and several Members of Parliament pointed out that it is concerning for an institution originally owned by the Fund to pay such an amount back to the Fund to gain ownership.
The COPE Chair emphasized that those responsible should be duly penalized and that such unlawful and fraudulent actions must be prevented from recurring in the future.
Hon. Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, Wasantha Samarasinghe, who holds the position “Founder Trustee” of the fund, stated that such fraud will not be allowed to fade into obscurity over time, and assured that further investigations will be conducted accordingly.
A former official who opposed the transfer of ownership at the time informed the committee that the institution, which had begun as a state entity with official representatives on the Board of Directors, was later illegally removed from state oversight due to greed stemming from the realization that it had become a hub of substantial financial movement.
It was also discussed that some parties might attempt to foster a misconception that these investigations could cause the collapse of a university attended by a large number of students. Therefore, the committee emphasized that while SLIIT should continue its current operations, its administration should be returned to the Mahapola Trust Fund. This would, in turn, enable a greater number of students to pursue degree programmes at a more affordable cost.
Attention was also drawn to the previous government's failure to properly fill key internal roles in the Fund, including the Internal Auditor position. COPE highlighted that having an inadequately staffed workforce in an institution that handles such a large amount of funds raises serious concerns about its efficiency.
Discussions also covered the current status of companies administered by the Mahapola Trust Fund, including the National Wealth Corporation (Pvt) Ltd and its subsidiary NatWealth Securities Limited, both of which have been incurring losses. As such, the committee decided that a Commercial Audit should be conducted, and appropriate next steps taken.
Further, attention was drawn to the potential to expand Mahapola Scholarships to a greater number of students eligible for university admission. The Chairperson of the Fund stated that efforts are being made to achieve maximum equity in the use of interest and other income generated from the current capital of approximately Rs. 20 billion.
In addition, the Committee discussed issues including the appointment of Trade Exhibition Officers on a contractual basis for a two-year term in 2023, and a loss of Rs. 750 million to the Fund due to the withdrawal of the selected Online Lottery Operator. The Committee directed that these matters also be subjected to a Commercial Audit and that necessary actions be taken accordingly.
The COPE meeting was attended by Hon. Members of Parliament including Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney at Law, S. M. Marikkar, Nilanthi Kottahachchi, Attorney at Law, Samanmalee Gunasinghe, Jagath Manuwarna, Ruwan Mapalagama, Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana, Thilina Samarakoon, Chandima Hettiarachchi, Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney at Law, and Dinesh Hemanta.
Also in attendance were Former Secretary to the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, P.M.B. Athapaththu, and Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Training, Nalaka Kaluwewe, along with several other officials.
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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