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.
2026-02-16
The Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill was considered and approved by the Committee on Public Finance.This took place at a meeting of the Committee held in Parliament on 10.02.2026 under the Chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Dr. Harsha de Silva, with the participation of Hon. Deputy Ministers Chathuranga Abeysinghe, (Dr.) Kaushalya Ariyaratne, and Nishantha Jayaweera, as well as Hon. Members of Parliament Attorney-at-Law Rauff Hakeem and Nimal Palihena.The Bill has been drafted with the objectives of establishing the Sri Lanka Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority, regulating the money lending business and microfinance business, protecting customers engaged in such businesses, repealing the Microfinance Act, No. 6 of 2016 and providing for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.The Chair of the Committee stated that the original draft of this Bill, which had been presented in 2024, was challenged before the Supreme Court, and that the constitutional inconsistencies identified by the Court appear to have been addressed in this new draft. The Committee expressed its appreciation for the Bill, which had been prepared after obtaining the views of all stakeholders.Officials stated that the Authority to be established under this Bill will issue licenses to and regulate persons engaged in money lending and microfinance businesses, and that the Authority will be governed by a Board of Directors. It was further noted that no person may conduct a money lending business without a license issued by the Authority.The Committee inquired whether online lending activities would also fall under the purview of the Authority. Officials clarified that online lending may also be carried out only by licensed entities. They further emphasized that customer protection is a primary objective of the Bill.Discussions were also held regarding whether the Bill adequately covers the social empowerment role of community-based financial institutions, including through the introduction of relaxed regulatory fees or simplified compliance requirements. Practical operational issues and consumer protection were also identified as areas requiring further attention.Officials noted that certain lenders, such as e-commerce operators, would not fall within the scope of this Act.Taking into account the prevailing public mistrust and uncertainty surrounding legislative reforms, the Committee recommended that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development implement effective communication programs to raise awareness among the public and all stakeholders. As an initial step, the Committee suggested publishing a document containing Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).As the Authority will be vested with statutory powers to determine maximum interest rates in both the lending and deposit sectors, the Committee advised officials to exercise such powers in a manner that preserves the nature of the various financial instruments used by microfinance institutions for savings and lending activities.The delegation of powers to Divisional Secretariat offices was also discussed at length. Officials stated that small-scale lenders would not be required to travel to Colombo to engage with the Authority, and that limited powers relating to connected functions (such as processing applications and other routine matters) would be delegated to the Divisional Secretariat level. The Committee emphasized the need for a robust information technology system to ensure the effective and efficient implementation of this process.Furthermore, at the same meeting, the Committee also considered and approved the Resolution published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2464/15 under the Customs Ordinance (Chapter 235), as well as three Orders issued under the Special Commodity Levy Act.
2026-02-13
Select Committee of Parliament to look into and Report to Parliament on the release of 323 Containers from the Port of Colombo without undergoing mandatory physical inspection and submit its proposals and recommendations in that regard, met for the third consecutive day on 11.02.2026 in Parliament. The meeting was chaired by the Hon. Minister of Justice and National Integration, Attorney-at-Law Harshana Nanayakkara.A group of officials from Sri Lanka Customs, including Director General of Customs Mr. Seewali Arukgoda, were summoned before the Committee, and evidence relating to the incident was recorded.Prior to the commencement of evidence, the Chair informed the Committee that the Hon. Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation, Mr. Anura Karunatilaka, had tendered his resignation from the membership of the Committee, and that another member would be appointed in due course to fill the vacancy.The meeting was attended by Committee members: Hon. Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Hon. Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Attorney-at-Law Sunil Watagala, Hon. Deputy Minister of Energy Arkam Ilyas and Hon. Members of Parliament Attorney-at-Law Dayasiri Jayasekara, Ajith P. Perera, D. V. Chanaka, Mujibur Rahuman, Dr. Najith Indika and Attorney-at-Law Lakmali Hemachandra.
2026-02-13
Officials from the Ministry of Digital Economy stated that there are plans to provide every person in the country with High-Speed Broadband connectivity by the year 2029.These remarks were made during a meeting of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Science, Technology and Digital Transformation, held in Parliament on 06.02.2026 under the chairmanship of Member of Parliament (Dr). Janaka Senarathne, to discuss the action plan related to the allocation of 2026 budget provisions for the Ministry of Digital Economy and the Ministry of Science and Technology.At this meeting, (Dr.) Hans Wijayasuriya, Senior Advisor to the President, made a detailed presentation before the Committee regarding the programme planned to provide High-Speed Broadband connectivity to every person in the country. He pointed out that steps are being taken this year to install 100 new telecommunication towers. He further stated that between 600 to 1000 telecommunication towers would be required to fully meet the national requirement, and that this would be carried out in stages.He also emphasized that although approximately 98% internet coverage currently exists in the country, it does not meet the requirements for High-Speed Broadband coverage. Therefore, he stated that the existing capacity must be increased by around 25% in order to provide High-Speed Broadband facilities to every child.Furthermore, he noted that a commercial model will be prepared in relation to telecommunication towers, and opportunities will be given to the private sector to submit bids for this purpose.The Committee also focused attention on the need to improve digital literacy in areas outside Colombo, and it was proposed that programmes be organized through District Secretariat offices for this purpose.In addition, discussions were held regarding the action plan for allocating 2026 budget provisions for the Ministry of Science and Technology, and several annual reports and performance reports of institutions were approved.The meeting was attended by Hon. Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe, and Members of Parliament Chandima Hettiarachchi, Lasith Bhashana Gamage, Chathura Galappaththi, Aboobucker Athambawa and Ruwan Wijeweera.
2026-02-13
The Committee on High Posts of parliament has approved the nominations of four Heads of Mission. The approval was granted when the Committee met in Parliament recently (Feb. 06) under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.Accordingly, the Committee approved the nominations of Mr. Horana Mahawatte Gedara Saman Kumar Chandrasiri as the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the State of Israel, Mr. Warnakulasuriya Peter Rohan Dhammika Fernando as the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the Republic of Kenya, Anura Withanage as the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Lebanese Republic, and Mohamed Farook Mohamed Fawzer as the Representative of Sri Lanka to the State of Palestine.
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