2025-08-22
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.
2026-11-14
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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