2025-08-29
News Categories : Committee News
A gazette notification containing regulations that make it mandatory for passengers traveling in passenger buses on expressways to wear seat belts is scheduled to be issued on August 31, said Hon. Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House, Bimal Rathnayake.
Minister Rathnayake state this during a recent meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation, held in Parliament under his chairmanship.
Further elaborating, the Minister explained that this initiative is being implemented as a key component of the “Clean Sri Lanka” program. He also noted that a grace period of approximately three months will be given for the installation of seat belts in school transport buses, office transport services, leisure tour buses, and other passenger buses operating on expressways.
The Minister further pointed out that the price of seat belts, which was around Rs. 2,000 previously, has now risen to between Rs. 5,000 and Rs. 7,000. He stressed that this price increase should be monitored by the Consumer Affairs Authority.
He also mentioned that public opinion had been sought regarding making seat belts mandatory in long-distance buses, and that almost all respondents expressed their support for the measure. Accordingly, the government plans to implement this regulation for long-distance buses in the near future as well. This survey was conducted by ‘Citra Innovation Lab’, collecting data from approximately 2,100 individuals, including passengers, drivers, and private bus owners. A report based on this data has also been submitted by the organization.
The Minister also announced that, along with the necessary legal amendments, a new system will be introduced to inspect and rate the condition of vehicle spare parts before vehicles are allowed onto expressways. The relevant gazette notification will be issued in due course. He further emphasized that vehicles with tires that do not meet the required safety standards and specifications will not be allowed on expressways.
The Minister also revealed that necessary arrangements have been completed to establish a welfare fund for drivers in the private transport sector, including those operating three-wheelers and vans. A draft bill related to this will be presented to Parliament for approval in the near future.
The committee also discussed creating a proper mechanism for parking long-distance buses and buses operating on expressways.
Additionally, two sub-committees were appointed during the meeting to submit proposals and recommendations on updating railway services and necessary upgrades in port infrastructure. Members for these sub-committees were also nominated.
Furthermore, the construction of the Kadawatha–Meerigama expressway section, scheduled to commence in September, was also discussed, including the completion of preparatory works. Issues raised by Hon. Members of Parliament were also taken into account, and relevant recommendations were provided.
Several Hon. Members of Parliament and government officials also participated in this committee meeting.
2026-08-07
The Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) of Parliament has approved the salary of the Auditor General following an extensive discussion on the salary and allowances attached to the office.The decision was taken when the Committee met in Parliament recently (Aug. 04) under the Chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Dr. Harsha de Silva, with the participation of Hon. Deputy Ministers Chathuranga Abeysinghe and Nishantha Jayawera, and Hon. Members of Parliament Ravi Karunanayake, Nimal Palihena, Wijesiri Basnayake, M.K.M. Aslam, Thilina Samarakoon and Champika Hettiarachchi.The proposal relating to the salary of the Auditor General was taken up for consideration in terms of Article 153(2) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.During the discussion, the Chair and Committee Members exchanged views on the proposed salary level, taking into account the responsibilities of the Auditor General, the role in overseeing public finance, and the need to safeguard the independence of the national audit function.The Committee further observed that, in terms of Article 170 of the Constitution, the Auditor General is not a public officer and that, accordingly, special consideration may be given to determining the Auditor General's salary outside the existing public sector salary scale. Officials stated that the proposed salary had been determined after taking into account the salaries of previous Auditors General. They further noted that, while the salary had previously been determined by the National Salaries and Cadre Commission, no such Commission is currently in operation.While approving the proposed salary, the Committee was of the view that, given the significance of the office and the responsibilities entrusted to the Auditor General, the remuneration should be at a higher level. Accordingly, the Committee emphasized the need to give further consideration to the salary in the future and take any necessary decisions. The Chair of the Committee also proposed the establishment of a permanent and independent Salaries and Cadre Commission.
2026-08-07
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, has appointed an expert panel to review 31 proposals submitted by individuals and organisations on electoral reforms, together with reports of previous Parliamentary Select Committees on electoral reforms.The decision was taken when the Committee met recently at Parliament under the Chairmanship of the Hon. Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, Prof. A.H.M.H. Abayarathna.During the meeting, the Committee held extensive discussions on electoral reforms based on the Parliamentary Select Committee reports issued in 2004, 2007 and 2022, as well as the 31 proposals submitted by individuals and organisations.The Committee considered several key proposals, including the introduction of a mixed electoral system for Local Government elections, ensuring the representation of minority parties and minority groups, increasing women's representation, introducing an electronic voting system, and providing facilities for early voting. Attention was also given to proposals on granting voting rights to Sri Lankans living overseas. The Committee emphasised the need for further study of the legal and administrative provisions required to implement such a system.The expert panel appointed by the Committee will analyse the 31 proposals received together with the reports of the previous Parliamentary Select Committees and prepare a report containing practical recommendations. The Committee decided to review the recommendations of the expert panel before taking further action.The meeting was attended by Committee Member, Hon. Minister Dr. Upali Pannilage, and Hon. Members of Parliament Ravi Karunanayake, Ruwanthilaka Jayakody, and Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan.
2026-08-07
The first in a series of regional workshops organized by the Parliamentary Caucus for Open Parliament Initiative will be held for the youth of the Gampaha District on 16 August at the Jetwing Blue Hotel in Negombo, according to the Caucus's Co-Chair, Hon. Member of Parliament Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam.Arrangements for the workshop were discussed at a meeting of the Parliamentary Caucus held on 5 August 2026, under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Shanakiyan Rasamanickam.The regional workshop series is being organized with the objective of further promoting the concept of Open Parliament through the active participation of young people. Members of the Parliamentary Caucus, together with Members of Parliament representing the Gampaha District, are expected to participate in the event.The workshops are intended to enhance awareness, particularly among young people, of the work of Parliament, the legislative process, and the principles of Open Parliament. They also seek to further strengthen the relationship between Parliament and the public by encouraging greater citizen engagement.The meeting was attended by members of the Parliamentary Caucus for Open Parliament Initiative as well as representatives of CII (Coalition for Inclusive Impact), the development partner providing support for the workshop series.Young men and women aged 18–35 years residing in the Gampaha District who wish to participate in the workshop are requested to register by completing the online application form via the following link:https://forms.gle/aVp5UzhLbtPSmVap8
2026-08-05
The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) wishes to inform the public that, during its meeting held on 08 October 2025 to examine the Audited Annual Reports for the years 2022 and 2023, as well as the current performance of the Construction Industry Development Authority (CIDA), concerns arose regarding the conduct of two members of the Board of Directors of the Authority.The Committee noted that one of the officials attended the meeting in a manner that did not comply with the prescribed dress code applicable to appearances before Parliamentary Committees. In addition, both officials left the Committee proceedings without obtaining the prior permission of the Chair, contrary to established Parliamentary practice and procedure.Following these incidents, and pursuant to a question of privilege raised by the Hon. Chair of COPE, both officials appeared before the Committee on Ethics and Privileges on 17 February 2026 in connection with allegations of contempt of Parliament. During the proceedings, they tendered their sincere apologies for their conduct.After due deliberation, the Committee on Ethics and Privileges, together with the Chair of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE), accepted their apologies, noting that the officials had acknowledged the gravity of their actions and demonstrated an understanding of the importance of respecting the authority, dignity, and established procedures of Parliamentary Committees.The Committee wishes to emphasize that all individuals appearing before Parliamentary Committees are expected to observe the highest standards of conduct, comply with parliamentary procedures, and uphold the dignity and authority of Parliament at all times.Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE)Parliament of Sri Lanka
Handbook of Parliament
The System of Elections in Sri Lanka
How Parliament Works
Business of Parliament
Copyright © The Parliament of Sri Lanka.
All Rights Reserved.
Design & Developed by TekGeeks
