2025-10-03
News Categories : Committee News
A special awareness workshop was held on 02.10.2025 in Parliament for the heads of 457 state institutions that fall under the oversight of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE). Around 700 individuals, including chairpersons, director generals, chief executive officers, or other senior officials from these institutions, were invited in three groups to participate in the workshop.
This program was held under the patronage of Dr. Nishantha Samaraweera, Member of Parliament and Chairman of the COPE. Key speakers included Acting Auditor General G.H.D. Dharmapala; Director of the Department of Public Enterprises, K.V.C. Dilrukshi; Director of the National Budget Department, K.S.M. de Silva; Director of the Department of Management Services, M.A. Karunaratne; and R.K. Jayalath.
Speaking at the event, the COPE Chairman Dr. Nishantha Samaraweera pointed out that the heads of institutions as well as the COPE have the responsibility to change the public perception of public enterprises as well as the COPE. Accordingly, the awareness and discussions gained through this workshop mark a new beginning, and avoiding past shortcomings to guide these institutions in the right direction is the expectation of all, said the COPE Chairman.
The COPE Chairman also stated that this is the first time in history that such an awareness was organized by calling all the heads of institutions under the COPE at once.
Dr. Samaraweera highlighted the need to avoid fundamental weaknesses such as situations where existing laws are not followed, legal provisions are misinterpreted, or outdated regulations are applied without amendment. He also emphasized the need to update the Act as soon as possible if there are outdated sections to make them relevant to the present.
The Committee Chairman said that it is not the intention of his committee to summon officials before the Committee, question them or expose them as guilty. He said that there is no obstacle to working creatively within the limits without any fear and that some are trying to create false opinions that decisions cannot be taken. He also emphasized the need to strengthen internal audit.
The COPE Chairman stated that steps have been taken to amend the Standing Orders to direct legal action to be taken against corruption and frauds revealed in the COPE. Since it is not possible to summon every institution within a period of one year, the COPE Chairman further said that a new mechanism will be implemented to monitor the functioning of these 457 institutions every year. He also stated that the order of institutions to be summoned to the COPE in the future will be determined according to a scientific methodology.
The Acting Auditor General explained the role of the National Audit Office to ensure transparency and accountability. The heads of institutions were also informed about the correct implementation of the corporate plan, action plan, institutional structures, annual reports, board of directors' activities, budget management, employee recruitment and filling of vacancies, etc. The heads of institutions also had the opportunity to present practical issues and proposals for the attention of the Committee and the COPE Chairman informed the heads to convey their suggestions and ideas to the Committee in writing.
It was also revealed that more workshops are expected to be organized in the future to educate the legal officers and other officers of these institutions.
COPE members, Hon. Members of Parliament Attorney at Law Dayasiri Jayasekara, Asitha Niroshana Egoda Withana, Chandima Hettiarchchi, Assistant Secretary General of Parliament Mr. Hansa Abeyratne, Director of Legislative Services and Director of Communications (Acting) of Parliament Mr. M. Jayalath Perera, former Auditor General and COPE and COPA Advisor Mr. S.C. Mayadunne and former High Court Judge and COPE Advisor Mr. Piyasena Ranasinghe also participated in this event.
2026-04-09
The Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) met on 07th April 2026 under the chairmanship of Hon Member of Parliament Dr. Harsha de Silva.The Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, along with members of the Governing Board, the Monetary Policy Board, and senior officials, attended the meeting as part of the Central Bank’s statutory presentation to Parliament conducted once every four months.Hon. Deputy Ministers Chathuranga Abeysinghe, (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathnea and Nishantha Jayaweera, Hon. Members of parliament Rauff Hakeem, Attorney at Law, Ravi Karunanayake, M.K.M. Aslam, Nimal Palihena, Chithral Fernando, Attorney at Law, Wijesiri Basnayake, Thilina Samarakoon, Champika Hettiarachchi and (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney at Law were also present at the meeting.During the meeting, the Committee took up as a matter of priority the alleged fraud at NDB Bank. The Committee initiated a focused discussion with the Central Bank, underscoring the seriousness of the issue and the need for urgent attention.The Governor informed the Committee that an initial investigation in this regard is currently underway. He further assured that the Central Bank will report back to the Committee at the earliest possible opportunity once the necessary information has been gathered.The Committee observed with serious concern that there appear to have been considerable lapses in corporate governance at the bank, deficiencies in supervision by the relevant departments of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, and undue delays in the reporting of material information.The Committee firmly underscored that such shortcomings are unacceptable and directed that immediate corrective measures be undertaken. It further emphasized that it will continue to closely monitor this matter and exercise stringent oversight to ensure full accountability, transparency, and the safeguarding of public confidence in the financial system.
2026-04-02
The Committee on High Posts has approved the appointments of four Ministry Secretaries.The approval was granted when the Committee met in Parliament recently (Mar. 20) under the chairmanship of Hon. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.Accordingly, the Committee approved the appointments of Air Vice Marshall H.S.S Thuyyacontha (Retd.) as the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Mr. L Mohamed Navavi as the Secretary to the Ministry of Science and Technology, Mrs. W.M.D.T Wickramasinghe as the Secretary to the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs and Mr. W.W.S Mangala as the Secretary to the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation.
2026-03-31
A Parliamentary delegation from the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, led by Hon. S. M. Marikkar, Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Committee, undertook a Parliamentary Study Tour to New Delhi and Mumbai from 22nd to 27th March 2026, following an invitation extended by the High Commission of India.The Sri Lankan delegation comprised the Chief Opposition Whip Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka, Members of Parliament Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha, Hon. Manjula Suraweera Arachchi, Hon. K. Ilankumaran, Hon. Chathura Galappaththi, Hon. Ravindra Bandara, Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana, Hon. Shantha Pathma Kumara Subasingha, Hon. (Mrs.) Geetha Herath, Attorney at Law, Hon. Kins Nelson and Hon. Dharmapriya Wijesinghe. Parliament staff members attached to the office of the Sectoral Oversight Committees who were also present included Assistant Director (Administration) Mr. K. P. Chandana, Principal Officer Ms. S. W. T. R. De Silva and Parliamentary Officer Ms. W. K. A. M. M. M. Arthanayaka. The delegation arrived in New Delhi on 22nd March 2026 and commenced official engagements on the following day. The programme included a meeting with the Foreign Secretary of India and a floral tribute at Prerna Sthal in the Parliament House Complex. The delegation also paid a courtesy call on the Hon. Om Birla, Speaker of the Lok Sabha.An orientation session on the Indian Parliamentary system was conducted, providing valuable insights into institutional structures and legislative processes. The delegation further held productive interactions with the Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture, as well as the Standing Committee on Housing and Urban Affairs.On 24th March 2026, the delegation participated in a series of technical and policy-focused engagements, including a session on India’s “PM Gati Shakti” National Master Plan. Visits were made to the National Highways Authority of India and the Solar Energy Corporation of India, alongside discussions with the Confederation of Indian Industry. The delegation also engaged with the India-Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship Group, further strengthening bilateral Parliamentary relations.Continuing its programme on 25th March 2026, the delegation visited the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation to study urban mass transit systems and best practices in public transportation. This was followed by an interaction with the New Delhi Municipal Council on Smart City initiatives, focusing on urban governance, digital infrastructure, and sustainable urban development. The delegation also met with officials of the Jal Jeevan Mission under the Ministry of Jal Shakti to discuss large-scale water supply management and rural infrastructure development.The programme in Mumbai included visits to key infrastructure and development sites such as the Atal Setu Bridge and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, as well as the Navi Mumbai Airport. The delegation also visited the Power Exchange India Limited and met with the Hon. Chief Minister of Maharashtra.On 27th March 2026, the delegation visited prominent locations including the Gateway of India and Elephanta Caves. The programme also included a meeting with the Hon. Speaker of the Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha and discussions with senior officials responsible for investment promotion and industries, prior to their departure to Colombo.Sri Lanka’s participation in this Parliamentary Study Tour underscored its continued commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation with India and advancing institutional capacity, knowledge exchange, and best practices in infrastructure and strategic development through sustained Parliamentary engagement.
2026-03-30
Progress on the implementation of recommendations issued by the COPA on 06th January 2026 was reviewed Matters relating to the 2024 Auditor General’s Report and current performance were also examined The Department of Archaeology was summoned before the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA), where attention was drawn to the progress made in implementing the recommendations issued at the COPA meeting held on 06th January 2026, as well as to the current performance of the Department.These matters were discussed at the COPA meeting held in Parliament on 19th March 2026 under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Kabir Hashim, to examine the Auditor General’s triennial report for the years 2021–2023, the 2024 Auditor General’s Report, and the current performance of the Department of Archaeology.At its meeting on 06th January 2026, it was recommended that a report on the gazetted and ungazetted antiquities identified by the Department of Archaeology be submitted to the Committee within a month. However, the Auditor General’s Department pointed out that data relating to antiquities not declared by Gazette had still not been submitted to the Committee. Accordingly, the Chair of the Committee instructed that a report be submitted within two weeks, including details of such antiquities, reasons for not publishing them by Gazette, and a proposed timeline for their gazetting.The Committee also focused on the lack of progress in implementing the recommendation to establish a centralized data system for the Department of Archaeology, and instructed that a progress report on this matter be submitted to the Committee.Furthermore, it was revealed that although Cabinet approval stipulates that 25% of the revenue generated by the Central Cultural Fund should be allocated to the Ministry of National Heritage, the Department of Archaeology has been requesting a lower allocation annually. Officials who appeared before the Committee stated that funds allocated through Cabinet approval had remained unutilized, and that there are plans to reduce future allocations requested from the Treasury accordingly.The shortage of vehicles available to the Department was also discussed, with officials noting that this has significantly affected the institution’s performance. The Committee stated that it would take steps to raise this matter with the relevant authorities.The meeting was attended by Committee Member Hon. Deputy Minister Dinindu Saman Hennayake and Hon. Members of Parliament (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah, Hector Appuhamy, Chanaka Madugoda, Chandana Sooriyaarachchi, and Ruwanthilaka Jayakody.
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