2025-09-02
News Categories : Committee News
The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations reviewed the performance of the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development and the performance of the five institutions under it.
This took place recently in Parliament under the Chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Ms. Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney at Law. Hon. Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti and Hon. Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe also participated in the Committee meeting held.
Accordingly, the performance reports of the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development for the years 2023 and 2024, the annual reports of the National Gem and Jewellery Authority for the years 2022 and 2023, the annual report of the Gem and Jewellery Research and Training Institute for the year 2023, the annual reports of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board for the years 2021, 2022, and 2023, the annual reports of B.C.C. Lanka Limited for the financial years 2021/2022 and 2022/2023, and the annual reports and accounts of the National Salt Company for the financial years 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 were reviewed and subsequently approved.
Attention was drawn to the issues prevailing in the country’s industrial sector. The Secretary to the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development pointed out that several issues, including the allocation of land to investors according to existing procedures, have persisted for a long time. Accordingly, it was revealed that the process of allocating land for a new industry could take more than 4 years. The Secretary also stated that, according to international concepts, generally 3% of a country’s land area should be allocated for industries, whereas in Sri Lanka this figure stands at only 0.01%.
It was also discussed that in the past, land was not allocated for industries in accordance with a national plan, but rather due to political or other reasons, resulting in various problematic situations. Accordingly, officials revealed that plans are now in place to allocate 50,000 acres of suitable land for industries across the island. The Committee recommended that a report be submitted, in consultation with the Land Reforms Commission, the Urban Development Authority, and the Sri Lanka Export Development Board, on the steps that could be taken and the future plan in this regard.
Attention was also drawn towards the current performance and issues of the National Gem and Jewellery Authority. Officials stated that steps will be taken in the future to merge the National Gem and Jewellery Authority with the Gem and Jewellery Research and Training Institute.
The current performance of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board was also taken into consideration. Officials stated that this is the only institution in the country responsible for promoting and developing exports, and that 5-year plans have been prepared covering sectors including apparel, tea, rubber, spices, information technology, gems, and jewellery. They further revealed that successfully managing U.S. taxation policies, the country’s largest export market, has been a significant achievement, and that with an export income of around USD 15 billion in 2023, the target is to increase this to USD 28 billion by 2028.
Officials stated that the production activities of the National Salt Company are being carried out with high efficiency. They pointed out that due to changes in climatic conditions, natural salt production has decreased in recent times. Accordingly, it was revealed that plans are in place to establish a facility in the Elephant Pass area to artificially produce salt using modern technology instead of the natural process. Officials further stated that the revenue target of the National Salt Company for this year is Rs. 1 billion, which is a 50% increase compared to the previous year.
It was also revealed that although B.C.C. Lanka Limited, a 192-year-old institution, produces high-quality coconut oil, the company has not obtained quality certifications. The current Chairman of the company informed the Committee that many export opportunities have been lost due to this situation, and that immediate steps have now been taken to obtain SLS, ISO, and other quality certifications.
Members of Parliament Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne, Attorney at Law, Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan, Hon. Nilanthi Kottahachchi, Attorney at Law, Hon. Kanthasamy Prabu, Hon. Wijesiri Basnayake, Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka, and Hon. Thilina Samarakoon participated in this Committee meeting.
2026-08-11
The need to modernize Sri Lanka’s land administration system to make it more transparent and efficient through digital technology was emphasized at the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability.The Committee, which met recently at Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Hector Appuhamy, held an extensive discussion on the roles of institutions responsible for the country’s land sector, the challenges they face, and the reforms required in the field of land administration.During the meeting, the need to network all land-related data through an integrated digital system was emphasized in order to minimize the misuse of state land and fraud involving forged deeds. Officials pointed out that land administration could be made more systematic by maintaining information on the ownership, boundaries and other relevant details of state lands under a single data system. They further noted that land fraud could be minimized by establishing a national digital land information system based on GPS coordinates.Attention was also drawn to coordination issues relating to land ownership and boundary demarcation among government institutions, including the Land Reform Commission and the Mahaweli Authority. The Committee emphasized that transparency and efficiency in the land administration sector could be further enhanced by implementing the necessary legal and administrative reforms, introducing digital data systems, and strengthening coordination among government institutions.Meanwhile, the Committee also considered and approved a Bill to amend the Animals Act No. 29 of 1958. The proposed amendments are intended to bring the transportation of goats, pigs and sheep within the regulatory framework of the Act and to facilitate measures to control animal diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease through the proper regulation of animal transportation.A proposal to amend the Survey Act No. 17 of 2002 was also considered. Discussions focused on establishing the necessary legal framework for depositing private survey plans prepared by licensed surveyors in the archives of the Survey Department of Sri Lanka, protecting intellectual property rights, and enabling members of the public to obtain certified copies of such plans.Committee members Hon. Members of Parliament Upul Kithsiri, Roshan Akmeemana, Susantha Kumara Nawarathna, Kitnan Selvaraj, Attorney-at-Law Bhagya Sri Herath and Gnanamuttu Srinesan participated in the meeting. With the permission of the Chairperson of the Committee, Hon. Members of Parliament Ajith P. Perera and Ruwanthilaka Jayakody also participated. A number of government officials, including Secretaries of the relevant ministries, were also present.
2026-08-11
The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) of Parliament focused its attention on the Auditor General’s Reports for the years 2023 and 2024 and the current performance of the University of Peradeniya.The matter was discussed when the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) met recently (Aug. 05) at Parliament under the Chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera.Extensive discussions were held on several matters including the administrative and financial management of the University, corporate governance, the internal audit process, digital systems management, disciplinary inquiries, bond agreements of academic staff who obtained foreign study leave, and the University’s international rankings.It was revealed before the Committee that although the University of Peradeniya holds a high position in local university rankings, it has shown a decline in international rankings. However, university officials explained that this does not indicate a decline in the quality of the University, but is mainly due to the increasing level of international competition.The Committee also paid special attention to the University’s digital systems and data management. Discussions were held on several issues, including insufficient server capacity when implementing the fixed assets module of the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, shortages of human resources in the Information Technology Division, difficulties in retaining skilled technical officers due to salary disparities compared to the private sector, delays in updating systems, and software projects that have remained incomplete for several years.The Committee emphasized the need to establish a permanent and specialized technical team within the University to maintain and manage its digital systems.The Committee also paid close attention to disciplinary inquiries. Discussions were held on disciplinary proceedings that had remained unresolved for several years and the financial and administrative impact caused to the University due to legal and administrative delays. The Committee recommended that necessary action be taken to complete such proceedings without further delay.The issue of bond agreements of academic staff who had obtained foreign study leave but failed to report back for duty was also discussed. Attention was drawn to the recovery of funds from those who had violated such bond agreements, both at the University of Peradeniya and across the university system.University officials informed the Committee that the University of Peradeniya had recovered Rs. 201 million in 2025 alone. The Committee emphasized that this issue cannot be resolved at the level of an individual university and stressed the need for the University Grants Commission (UGC) to intervene and formulate a national policy applicable to all State universities.The Committee also considered alternative approaches beyond taking legal action against academic staff who violate bond agreements. One such proposal was to explore ways of engaging such academics in teaching and research for students in Sri Lanka through online platforms, regardless of the country in which they are residing.At the conclusion of the meeting, the COPE instructed officials to take prompt action to implement the recommendations of the Auditor General and the recommendations made by the Committee in order to further strengthen the governance, transparency and accountability of the University.Hon. Members of Parliament Attorney-at-Law Lakmali Hemachandra, Sunil Rajapaksa, Chandima Hettiarachchi, Dinesh Hemantha, Dharmapriya Wijesinghe, Asitha Niroshana Egoda Withana, M.K.M. Aslam and Lieutenant Commander (Rtd.) Prageeth Madhuranga attended the meeting.
2026-08-10
The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection held an extensive discussion on further strengthening the rehabilitation process for individuals addicted to drugs, with the aim of reducing overcrowding in Sri Lanka’s prisons.The discussion took place when the Sectoral Oversight Committee met recently at Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Dr. Najith Indika.Officials representing government institutions, including the Department of Prisons, Department of Community Based Corrections, Bureau of Rehabilitation, and the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board, explained to the Committee that rehabilitation programmes are being implemented through these institutions.Officials of the Department of Prisons stated that rehabilitation programmes are currently being provided to 1,506 of the 4,962 inmates convicted by the courts for drug-related offences. They further noted that these rehabilitation programmes are provided to individuals referred under court orders as well as inmates who voluntarily come forward for rehabilitation. However, they pointed out that it is not currently possible to provide rehabilitation opportunities to all inmates serving sentences for various offences.Officials of the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board informed the Committee that steps have been taken to expand the rehabilitation programmes required to help individuals overcome drug addiction. They also stated that plans have been prepared to recruit the necessary personnel and strengthen programmes at the Divisional Secretariat level throughout the island.The Committee also held an extensive discussion on the social acceptance of rehabilitated individuals and the challenges faced in issuing certificates of good character to such persons. The need to amend relevant laws and regulations in order to implement the rehabilitation process more effectively was also emphasized.Committee members Hon. Members of Parliament Ajith P. Perera, Mujibur Rahman, M.K.M. Aslam, Dharmapriya Wijesinghe, and Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara participated in the meeting. Officials including the Secretary to the Ministry of Justice and National Integration, as well as the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs and other government officials, were also present.
2026-08-10
The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education focused on enhancing the professionalism of the teaching service, addressing teacher shortages, strengthening human resources in higher education institutions, and finding solutions to structural issues in the education sector, with the aim of building a quality education system.The discussion took place when the Committee met recently at Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.During the meeting, discussions were held on improving the quality of school education, filling teacher vacancies, streamlining the teacher transfer process, and improving the facilities required by schools in difficult and underserved areas.Particular attention was given to expediting the new recruitment process to reduce teacher shortages, especially in the fields of Science and Mathematics, as well as identifying areas with teacher shortages and taking necessary action. The need to give special attention to schools facing teacher shortages, including those in the Northern and Eastern regions, was also highlighted.The Committee also discussed ensuring that the teacher transfer process is implemented transparently and in accordance with approved policies, as well as reviewing the system for providing hardship allowances and the criteria used to determine the level of difficulty associated with schools.With regard to the higher education sector, attention was also focused on filling academic staff vacancies at universities, improving the efficiency of the National Institute of Education (NIE), and strengthening quality assurance processes in the education sector.In addition, views were expressed on the need to resolve issues relating to school land and infrastructure, improve inclusive education facilities for children with special educational needs, and introduce the necessary policy amendments in this regard.Hon. Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Madhura Seneviratne, Hon. Deputy Minister of Vocational Education Nalin Hewage, along with other Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Members of Parliament, and officials of the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, among others, participated in the occasion.
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
