2025-10-14
News Categories : Committee News
The Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) has instructed the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) to establish a formal mechanism for collecting arrears of assessment tax in the city of Colombo.
Officials of the Colombo Municipal Council informed the COPA that under the KOICA project, a data system is expected to be developed to support several functions, including maintaining assessment tax revenue.
Accordingly, COPA instructed the Colombo Municipal Council to hold discussions with the KOICA project and to inform the committee about the progress made in utilizing the new data system being developed to systematically collect assessment tax revenue and to improve the efficiency of tax collection.
These matters were discussed when the Committee on Public Accounts, chaired by Hon. Kabir Hashim, Member of Parliament, convened on October 8, 2025, to examine the Auditor General’s Reports for the years 2022 and 2023 and the current performance of the Colombo Municipal Council.
During the meeting, COPA inquired from the relevant officials regarding the failure to implement a recommendation made by the Auditor General’s Department to complete, within six months, the collection of arrears in the Fort area of Colombo where the properties had already been identified.
In response, the officials stated that out of the total arrears amounting to Rs. 610.96 million, a sum of Rs. 148 million had already been recovered, and that measures were being taken to recover the remaining amount. However, the COPA Chair instructed the officials to submit a comprehensive report on the plan to systematically recover the outstanding revenue.
Furthermore, the Chair instructed the Colombo Municipal Council to inform the committee regarding the progress of developing a formal data system for collecting other sources of revenue received by the Council and the actions taken regarding properties that could not yet be identified.
Meanwhile, the committee also discussed the progress made in implementing the earlier recommendation by COPA regarding the unauthorized occupation of the Elie House land in Modara. COPA noted that following the planned discussion with the Governor regarding the appeal submitted by those occupying the said property, the committee should be informed about the progress in transferring the property back to the Colombo Municipal Council.
However, the officials from the National Audit Office informed the committee that although the occupants had agreed post discussions with the Governor to pay the arrears and fines due for unauthorized occupation, the necessary actions had not yet been taken.
It was also disclosed that although the total extent of the land was 140 perches, only 40 perches had been leased since 1992, and that the lease agreement had expired in 2022. Officials from the National Audit Office further informed the committee of these facts.
Officials from the Colombo Municipal Council explained that as a charitable organization is currently being operated on the said premises, they were in the process of recovering the arrears and fines through mutual agreement, and that steps were being taken to reclaim the remaining 50 perches of land that were being used without a lease agreement.
However, highlighting that such actions could give rise to various complications, the COPA Chair emphasized the importance of carrying out all procedures in accordance with financial and state administrative regulations. Accordingly, the officials were instructed to submit a report detailing the amount of fines due for the remaining portion of the land being used, and they informed the committee that this report could be submitted by the end of December.
Meanwhile, the committee also held an extensive discussion regarding the unauthorized construction of a funeral parlor on the official residence and land of the Borella Cemetery Supervisor, which had been misused. Although COPA had earlier recommended a full investigation and the submission of a report to the committee, the failure to submit the said report was met with the committee’s dissatisfaction.
However, officials informed the committee that the necessary disciplinary and legal actions were being taken, and the relevant procedures were ongoing.
The meeting was attended by committee members including Hon. Deputy Ministers Aravinda Senarath, Dinindu Saman Hennayake, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), along with Members of Parliament (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, J.C. Alawathuwala, Chamara Sampath Dasanayake, (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana, Ruwanthilaka Jayakody, Thushari Jayasinghe Attorney-at-Law, Sunil Rathnasiri, and Chandana Sooriyaarachchi, as well as several state officials.
2026-09-01
The third programme in the “Voice to Policy” dialogue series, organized by the Parliamentary Caucus for Open Parliament Initiative, is scheduled to be held on September 5 at the Golden Crown Hotel in Kandy for youth in the Kandy District.The programme is being organized with the aim of further promoting the concept of an Open Parliament through the participation of young representatives. It will be held under the leadership of the Co-Chairs of the Parliamentary Caucus for Open Parliament Initiative, Hon. Minister Prof. Krishantha Abeyasena and Hon. Member of Parliament Shanakiyan Rasamanickam. Members of the Caucus, as well as Members of Parliament representing the Kandy District, are also expected to participate in the event. Through this workshop, it is expected to raise awareness among young people, in particular, about parliamentary affairs, the legislative process and the principles of an Open Parliament, while further strengthening the relationship between Parliament and citizens.Young men and women between the ages of 18 and 35 from the Kandy District who wish to participate in the workshop are required to register by completing the relevant form through the following link before 12.00 noon on September 3: https://forms.gle/aVp5UzhLbtPSmVap8Participants are also required to wear clothing without any symbols promoting a political party or political movement.The workshop series is being organized with the sponsorship support of CII (Coalition for Inclusive Impact).
2026-08-25
A special meeting was held yesterday at Parliament to discuss the future work of the Expert Panel appointed to reform Sri Lanka’s electoral system, excluding Provincial Council elections, to make it more efficient, transparent, and responsive to the expectations of the people.The discussion was held under the chairmanship of Hon. Prof. A.H.M.H. Abeyaratne, Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, who is also the Chairman of 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.The meeting included extensive discussions on the role of the Expert Panel, the matters that should be reviewed, and how the next stages of the process should be carried out.The Expert Panel is expected to conduct an in-depth review of 31 proposals submitted by the public and various organizations concerning electoral reforms and to make the necessary recommendations. Relevant studies and research conducted by the university community and research institutions will also be taken into consideration during the review process.The Panel has been given a period of two months to conduct this review. During this period, attention will be focused not only on identifying shortcomings in the existing electoral system, but also, where necessary, on making recommendations for establishing a new electoral system and electoral culture with more constructive and positive features.Accordingly, the ultimate objective of the Committee is not merely to introduce several amendments to the existing system. Rather, it is to present Parliament with a report containing the necessary policy and legislative recommendations for a more credible, democratic, and efficient electoral system that is suited to current needs and the expectations of the people.Committee members Hon. Members of Parliament Ruwanthilaka Jayakody, Attorney-at-Law Thushari Jayasinghe, and Chandima Hettiarachchi also participated in the meeting.
2026-08-25
The Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) paid special attention to the progress of investigations into financial fraud and disciplinary violations that have occurred within the Department of Posts from 2004 to 2025.This was discussed when COPA met at Parliament recently (Aug. 20), under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Kabir Hashim, to review the progress made in implementing the recommendations issued by COPA on April 7, 2026, as well as the current performance of the Department of Posts.It was revealed that a new computerized software system has been introduced to streamline the investigation process. The system is being used to update information relating to investigation files and monitor their progress. The Committee stressed the need to expedite investigations by prioritizing significant financial fraud and serious disciplinary violations, rather than spending resources on prolonged investigations into minor incidents.The meeting also discussed the fact that some investigations have remained unresolved for many years, that some individuals facing allegations have disappeared or died, that legal action in certain cases has been delayed, and that the investigation division is experiencing a shortage of human resources.The Committee further emphasized the need to complete investigations and disciplinary proceedings against officers accused of financial fraud within specified timeframes. Instructions were also given to expedite the necessary measures to recover losses from the parties responsible once investigations have been completed.The Committee also focused on the need to further strengthen financial management and internal control mechanisms within the Department of Posts.Meanwhile, the management of overtime payments within the Department of Posts was also discussed. Officials stated that steps are being taken to introduce an Optimum Cadre - the optimal number of employees - based on a work study conducted by the Department of Management Services covering all nine provinces and the Central Mail Exchange. It was noted that fingerprint machines are now being used to accurately verify employee attendance when making overtime payments. Going forward, the Department plans to use this data to further streamline the payment of overtime allowances.The modernization and digitalization of postal services also received the Committee's attention. Discussions covered plans to further expand value-added services such as Speed Post, Cash on Delivery, and International Courier, digitalize postal banking services, and increase the Department of Posts' revenue through the use of new technologies.The Committee also stressed the importance of maintaining sub-post offices in difficult-to-reach areas where they provide essential services to the public, rather than closing them as part of the restructuring of the Department of Posts' network of sub-post offices.The meeting was attended by Committee member and Hon. Deputy Minister Nalin Hewage, as well as Committee members Hon. Members of parliament Chanaka Madugoda, Oshani Umanga, Attorney-at-Law Sagarika Athauda, Manjula Suraweera Arachchi, Chandana Sooriyaarachchi, Ajanta Gammaddege, Lal Premanath, Ruwanthilaka Jayakody and Sunil Ratnasiri.
2026-08-24
The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection focused on obtaining the views and proposals of the Police Department on measures that could be taken to reduce overcrowding in prisons.At a recent meeting of the committee held at Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Dr. Najith Indika, discussions focused particularly on the Police Department’s procedures from the arrest of suspects in connection with drug-related offences through to the filing of cases, as well as on removing existing legal obstacles affecting these processes.The committee also discussed delays in proceedings relating to drug-related cases, delays in obtaining reports from the Government Analyst, and the resulting increase in the number of suspects being held in remand custody.It was emphasized that, in combating drug-related offences, it is necessary not only to arrest individuals but also to use modern technology to identify and control drug-trafficking networks and the illegal financial transactions associated with them. The need to introduce appropriate regulatory mechanisms to prevent the misuse of digital money-transfer systems operated by telecommunications companies by drug traffickers for illegal financial transactions was also highlighted.The meeting also discussed the need to strengthen community-based rehabilitation programmes as an alternative to imprisoning persons addicted to drugs, increase public participation in crime prevention, and amend existing laws to bring them in line with current requirements.Views were also expressed on the need to establish a modern forensic laboratory within the Police Department in order to expedite criminal investigations. It was pointed out that speeding up the analysis of scientific evidence could accelerate court proceedings and thereby help reduce prison overcrowding.In addition, attention was given to improving the welfare of police officers, enhancing their professional training and investigative skills, and strengthening mechanisms for evaluating police performance.Members of the committee who attended the meeting included Hon. Members of Parliament Ajith P. Perera, G.G. Ponnambalam, Mujibur Rahman, M.K.M. Aslam, Dr. Sellathamby Thilakanathan, Dharmapriya Wijesinghe, Chandana Suriyaarachchi, and Major General (Retired) G.D. Sooriyabandara.Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs D.W.R.B. Seneviratne, Inspector General of Police Attorney-at-Law Priyantha Weerasuriya, and a number of senior officers of the Police Department were also present at the meeting.
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