2025-08-22
News Categories : Committee News
The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) instructed the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka to act within the prevailing legal framework if it is to properly carry out its primary function of “regulation.”
The Committee on Public Enterprises of Parliament, chaired by Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera, Member of Parliament, met on the August 20th at Parliament to examine the Auditor General’s Reports of 2022 and 2023 and the current performance of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka.
Pointing out facts at the meeting, the Committee Chair stated that according to clauses 07 and 08 of Extraordinary Gazette No. 1550/7 dated 22nd May 2008, the Overseas Sales Surcharge (OSS) collected by the Civil Aviation Authority should be credited to the Consolidated Fund. However, since the inception of the Gazette notification, the Overseas Sales Surcharge has not been credited to the Consolidated Fund but has been identified as the income of the Authority and retained by it. Furthermore, the Chair stated that the Audit disclosed that Rs. 90 million per month could be retained for Authority expenditure and the balance should be remitted to the Treasury from this collected income in accordance with the Cabinet decision given in November 2023. However, he stated that the audit has revealed that the sum of Rs. 20,630 million collected during the period from 2018 to November 2023 has not been remitted to the Treasury.
Officials pointed out that the income earned from these retained funds is the main revenue source of the Civil Aviation Authority. However, the Committee Chair inquired whether these retained funds were utilized for activities related to regulation, and stated that the Cabinet decision concerning these funds should also be reconsidered.
Further, extensive discussions took place at COPE regarding the renovation work of the bungalow maintained by the Authority in Weerawila. The procurement plan had approved Rs. 4.5 million for this renovation process, but during implementation it had risen up to Rs. 24 million. The Committee questioned officials regarding this increase. However, the officials stated that these details were inaccurate and that updated information has been referred to the audit. Accordingly, expressing the displeasure of the Committee regarding the failure to provide accurate information to the audit, the Committee Chair instructed that accurate information be provided within the specified timeframe.
It was also revealed by the National Audit Office officials that even after the renovation of the official quarters of the Authority at Katunayake, the main shortcomings that existed prior to the renovations still remained, as observed during physical inspections carried out by the audit. The Committee also discussed at length that approximately Rs. 1.5 million had been spent merely for the repair of doors. Accordingly, the Committee Chairman instructed the Secretary to the Ministry and the relevant officials to carry out a full re-examination of these renovation works of the buildings and the related procedures.
Extensive discussions were also held at COPE regarding the existing staff vacancies of the Civil Aviation Authority. It was disclosed that around 14 senior-level vacancies have persisted for several years. In response, officials explained that although the Authority had called for applications, suitably qualified persons with expertise and experience had not applied for these posts due to prevailing salary disparities. However, they stated that applications have been called and that after receiving the necessary approvals from the Prime Minister’s Committee, the vacancies would be filled.
Commenting on this, the Committee Chair pointed out that at present a positive perception regarding Sri Lanka is emerging among citizens, and therefore, persons with expertise and qualifications would be willing to serve in professions not merely for salaries but also due to the interest shown towards such careers. Nevertheless, he instructed that discussions be held with the Department of Management Services to review the salaries for the vacant posts of the Civil Aviation Authority and to take suitable action. Further, the Committee instructed to take necessary measures to build a workforce with the required knowledge in this field within the country.
The Members of Parliament Hon. M.K.M. Aslam, Hon. Nilanthi Kottahachchi (Attorney-at-Law), Hon. Dilith Jayaweera, Hon. Lieutenant Commander (Rtd.) Prageeth Madhuranga, Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha, Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi, and Hon. Dinesh Hemantha also participated in this Committee meeting held.
2026-06-03
The 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 for the Tenth Parliament, has commenced calling for public proposals and views.This Select Committee is chaired by the Hon. Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayaratne, and consists of 11 Hon. Members of Parliament.Its aspiration is to review the laws dealing with elections more particularly the Registration of Electors Act, the Local Authorities Elections Act, the Parliamentary Elections Act and the Presidential Elections Act, together with the several amendments made to the said Acts over the years and the Special Provisions Acts made applicable to the provisions of the Acts set out above, to assess the need to revise, amend and consolidate these Acts and to recommend the reform and amendments necessary to the current laws dealing with elections (excluding Provincial Council Election).The public/other interested parties and organizations are invited to submit proposals/views under the relevant scope for consideration by the said Committee, and such proposals/views are requested to be forwarded to the following address or to the email address legis_com@parliament.lk before 15th July 2026.Address:The Secretary to the CommitteeSelect 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 regardParliament of Sri LankaSri Jayawardenepura Kotte
2026-06-03
The meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs was held in Parliament under the chairmanship of the Hon. Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Ananda Wijepala.A number of proposals and issues raised by Hon. Members of Parliament relating to police services were discussed, including strengthening police stations, ensuring police representation in District Coordination Committees and curbing illegal sand mining activities in and around Kilinochchi.The meeting was attended by Hon. Deputy Ministers, Hon. Members of Parliament, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and officials of the Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, among others.
2026-06-02
The government has allocated Rs. 1,000 million (Rs. 1 billion) this year through the Co-operative Wholesale Establishment (CWE) to improve paddy drying, storage and other related facilities. The necessary machinery and equipment are scheduled to be installed in the Southern and Northern Provinces, according to Hon. Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, Wasantha Samarasinghe.The Minister made these remarks during a recent meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, which he chaired in Parliament.The Committee Chair further stated that a Rs. 500 million project is being implemented this year to provide paddy drying machines to cooperative societies, while a Rs. 100 million project has been launched to procure production and packaging machinery for producer cooperatives.The Minister also noted that the Co-operative Wholesale Establishment has intervened in the process of converting paddy into rice and purchasing potatoes. Potatoes are being purchased at Rs. 220 per kilogram and sold through Lanka Sathosa Ltd.In addition, he stated that 120,000 metric tons of rice were imported during April as substitute varieties for Samba and Keeri Samba rice. Further rice imports will only be considered if deemed necessary.The Committee held extensive discussions on fraud and corruption reported in certain cooperative societies. Members of Parliament raised concerns about individuals involved in such irregularities being reappointed to positions within those societies without facing any penalties. The Minister sought explanations from officials and instructed them to address existing legal weaknesses and other shortcomings without delay.The Minister also announced the establishment of a new Alumni Association of Mahapola Scholarship Recipients and invited all former scholarship holders to join and contribute to its activities. He noted that the association would be able to implement programmes aimed at supporting and advancing future generations of students.The Committee further discussed issues relating to the modernization of the information system of the Department of the Registrar of Companies, measures to improve its efficiency, matters concerning free trade agreements, and other issues relevant to the sector.The meeting was attended by Hon. Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security R.M. Jayawardana, Hon. Deputy Minister of Cooperative Development Upali Samarasinghe, several Members of Parliament, and officials representing the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development and its affiliated institutions.
2026-05-26
The Central Provincial Council was summoned before the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) to examine the Auditor General’s triennial report for the years 2021–2023, the Auditor General’s report for 2024, and the Council’s current performance.The committee meeting, chaired by Hon. Member of Parliament Kabir Hashim, was held recently at Parliament.During the meeting, attention was drawn to the progress made in implementing recommendations issued at the COPA meeting held on 5th September, 2019. Discussions focused on the incident involving the destruction of files belonging to the Central Provincial Passenger Transport Authority.It was revealed that directives issued by the relevant court and the Presidential Secretary regarding the incident had not been implemented by the responsible authorities. In this regard, the Committee Chairman instructed officials of the Central Provincial Council to submit all reports and correspondence related to the incident to the committee.In addition, the committee discussed an incident involving the unlawful transfer of a rest house owned by the Road Development Authority to a third party in violation of lease conditions. Accordingly, the Chairman instructed officials to identify the officers responsible for making the relevant decisions and to submit a report to the committee on the legal action being taken in connection with the matter.The committee also held extensive discussions on irregularities identified by the National Audit Office in road development and passenger transport services in the Central Province, as well as issues affecting the health sector.Expressing his views during the meeting, the Chairman emphasized the importance of expediting ongoing investigations within institutions and focusing on follow-up action. He further stressed that if a state institution generates profits, such profits should accrue to the government, and if such revenue is used for institutional activities, established legal provisions and procedures must be strictly followed.The meeting was attended by committee members Hon. Members of Parliament Dr. M.L.A.M. Hizbullah, Ruwanthilaka Jayakody, Attorney-at-Law Thushari Jayasinghe, Sunil Rathnasiri, Oshani Umanga, Susantha Kumara Navarathna, Ajantha Gammeddage, Chanaka Madugoda, T.K. Jayasundara and Lal Premanath along with a group of government officials.
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