2025-11-08
News Categories : Committee News
A special district-level Consultation Programme on Improving Disability Inclusive Service Delivery was held on 4th November 2025 at the Skill Development Centre of the Kilinochchi District Secretariat, under the patronage of the Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities.
In line with the aspiration of creating a “Disability-Sensitive Parliament” the Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities of the 10th Parliament, has initiated a series of consultation programmes across the island to gather direct opinions from persons with disabilities. Accordingly, the first phase of this initiative was conducted with a focus on the Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts.
This special programme was chaired by Hon. Member of Parliament and Chair of the Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities Sugath Wasantha de Silva, with the participation of Hon. Member of Parliament and Deputy Co-Chair of the Caucus (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam. Nearly 100 participants attended the programme, including Kilinochchi District Secretary Mr. S. Muralitharan, Mullaitivu Additional District Secretary Ms. Satheesan Manjuladevi, representatives of local government institutions, Divisional Secretaries, officials representing the health sector and the police, representatives of organizations of persons with disabilities in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu, and persons with disabilities.
The programme was conducted with the sponsorship and logistical support of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) with the funding support from Australian Government and, in collaboration with the District Secretariats of Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu. Ms. Anojitha Sivaskaran, Programme Officer of IFES, was also present on this occasion.
Addressing the gathering, Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva, MP, requested all government officials to treat persons with disabilities who approach them for services with compassion and to ensure their needs are properly met. He emphasized that by viewing issues from the perspective of persons with disabilities, officials can better identify their true needs, and that the joy reflected in the smiles of satisfied service recipients can bring fulfillment to one’s professional life.
He further noted that steps have been taken to amend the existing Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, incorporating changes that reflect developments over the past two decades. The proposed amendments also aim to include over 25 rights outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). Alongside this, a National Policy and National Action Plan for persons with disabilities are being formulated.
Deputy Co-Chair Hon. MP (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam, in his remarks, highlighted the importance of conducting such programmes in the Northern Province, where the needs of persons with disabilities are significant. He further stressed that the Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities of the Tenth Parliament stands above political divisions in pursuing necessary legal and policy reforms for the benefit of persons with disabilities. He also announced that the national programme marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities will be held this year in the Jaffna District. Additionally, he emphasized the continued importance of police support in enforcing road safety and compliance with traffic regulations.
Kilinochchi District Secretary Mr. S. Muralitharan and Mullaitivu Additional District Secretary Ms. Satheesan Manjuladevi also expressed their views, noting that the current government benefits provided to persons with disabilities are insufficient to fully meet their needs, and highlighted the necessity of policy decisions to increase such benefits in the future.
During the discussions, participants addressed a wide range of issues and challenges faced by persons with disabilities in the Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts, including the services that can be provided and improved at the local institutional level. Topics discussed in depth included; Shortage of social service officers, the need for a nationally recognized identity card for persons with disabilities, employment opportunities and security, difficulties in accessing health and transport services, provision of land for self-employment ventures, need for sign language interpretation services, issues related to issuing driving licenses to persons with disabilities, need for trained teachers for students with disabilities and availability of better-equipped schools in the district.
The Caucus also presented recommendations and possible solutions to the matters raised. Following the consultation, the Chair of the Caucus stated that the Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities will coordinate with relevant ministries and Parliament to implement necessary policy reforms. Officials present also assured that District Secretariats will follow up to ensure the proper implementation of decisions and improvements in local service delivery.
2026-05-21
A subcommittee has been appointed by the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability to investigate the environmental impact caused by the Norochcholai Lakvijaya Power Plant and to submit recommendations. The subcommittee will be chaired by Hon. Member of Parliament (Attorney-at-Law) Bhagya Sri Herath.The subcommittee was appointed during a recent meeting of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability held in Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Hector Appuhamy.Officials representing the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Power and Energy, Ministry of Health and Mass Media, and several other institutions participated in discussions regarding the environmental impact of the Norochcholai Lakvijaya Power Plant. Following extensive discussions on the environmental effects of the plant’s operations, the parties responsible, and whether there had been shortcomings on the part of the relevant institutions, it was decided to appoint this subcommittee to further investigate the matter.During the meeting, the Committee Chairman also stated that the committee intends to request discussions with the German, Japanese, and Chinese Embassies in Sri Lanka, as well as the Indian High Commission to obtain opportunities for officials to participate in training programs related to new technologies used in power plants in those countries.
2026-05-21
The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection approved five performance reports at a meeting recently held in Parliament, under the chairmanship of, Hon. Member of Parliament Dr. Najith Indika.Accordingly, following extensive deliberations, the Committee approved the Performance Reports of the Presidential Secretariat for the years 2023 and 2024, as well as the 2024 Performance Report of the President’s Fund.In addition, the Annual Performance Reports of the Prime Minister’s Office for the years 2023 and 2024 were also considered and approved by the Committee.Furthermore, the Committee discussed a proposal submitted by Hon. Member of Parliament Ajith P. Perera regarding amendments to the Survey Act No. 17 of 2002 to facilitate the registration of survey plans prepared by licensed surveyors.The meeting was attended by Hon. Members of Parliament Ajith P. Perera, Mujibur Rahman, Faiszer Musthapha, PC, Dharmapriya Wijesinghe, M.K.M. Aslam, and Major General (Retd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara.
2026-05-19
Officials of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) informed the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Women and Child Affairs that a decision has been taken to provide a monthly allowance of Rs. 10,000/- for children aged between 2 and 13 years of parents employed overseas, if those children are enrolled in daycare centres.The officials made these remarks during the Committee meeting chaired by Hon. Minister of Women and Child Affairs (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj, with the participation of Hon. Deputy Minister of Women and Child Affairs (Dr.) Namal Sudarshana.The officials of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment made these comments while responding to inquiries regarding the progress of directives previously issued by the Committee to the Bureau’s General Manager (Local Affairs) concerning social issues arising due to mothers of young children leaving overseas for employment. Accordingly, the officials stated that the allowance would be granted to families where the monthly income of parents employed overseas exceeds USD 400, and that an initial allocation of Rs. 10 million has been set aside for the programme.They further stated that the approval process related to the initiative is currently in its final stage, following which monthly payments could be made to the relevant registered daycare centres through District Secretariat offices. Hon. Minister (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj, Chairperson of the Committee, emphasized that steps should be taken to raise public awareness regarding this initiative, which she described as a highly positive measure.The Committee also discussed the progress of filling vacancies for female police officers, as previously instructed during an earlier Committee meeting. It was revealed that applications have now been called to recruit 50 female Sub-Inspectors of Police and 2,600 female Police Constables. An officer representing the Sri Lanka Police informed the Committee that special promotional campaigns have also been launched through social media to recruit female police officers who can speak Tamil.The Chairperson of the Committee further stressed the need to pay special attention to existing vacancies for Public Health Midwives who can speak Tamil. She also instructed officials to take steps to raise awareness among students who have completed their G.C.E Advanced Level education in the Tamil medium regarding these opportunities.The Chairperson also inquired into the progress of establishing a national data system by consolidating all data relating to children in Sri Lanka currently maintained by the Department of Probation and Child Care Services, the National Child Protection Authority, and other institutions. She noted that, with the intervention of the Ministry of Digital Economy, the process of developing the data system is expected to be completed within this year.The Committee also emphasized the need for all relevant institutions to act in close coordination to facilitate the swift implementation of the law in cases of child abuse and to manage subsequent situations effectively. Accordingly, Hon. Minister (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj pointed out that officials representing Divisional Secretariat offices, the Department of Probation and Child Care Services, the National Child Protection Authority, the Sri Lanka Police, and all other relevant institutions should work collaboratively as a single team.The Chairperson further stated that incidents of abuse against women and children, delays in taking action, or any shortcomings could be reported directly to her at any time via telephone or WhatsApp, and assured that prompt intervention would be made.The Minister also stated that it is expected to propose, in next year’s budget, measures to increase the allowance for preschool teachers, provide free breakfast to every preschool child, and introduce a contributory pension scheme for preschool teachers.Attention was also drawn to practical issues arising in the transfer of women employed in government service, as well as matters relating to the regulation of preschools and daycare centres.In addition, Members of Parliament brought to the attention of the Committee various issues relating to women and children’s affairs, and the Committee instructed officials to inquire into those matters and take the necessary action.A group of officials, including Secretary to the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs (Mrs.) W.M.D.T. Wickramasinghe, also attended the Committee meeting.
2026-05-15
A Parliamentary delegation of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, headed by Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj, MP, Minister of Women and Child Affairs is currently undertaking an official visit to India from 10th to 16th May 2026 at the invitation of the Indian High Commission, Sri Lanka.The visit aims to further strengthen the longstanding Parliamentary, cultural and bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and India while promoting closer cooperation on matters relating to women’s empowerment, Parliamentary affairs, social development and gender-responsive governance.The delegation paid floral tribute to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at the Parliament House Complex and also held discussions with Hon. Om Birla, Speaker of the Lok Sabha, where both sides emphasized the importance of strengthening inter-parliamentary cooperation.The programme further included interactions with the Ministry of Women and Child Development of India, during which the Sri Lankan delegation paid a courtesy call on Hon. Annpurna Devi, Minister for Women and Child Development and held fruitful discussions on women’s empowerment programmes, child welfare initiatives, gender-responsive policies, and opportunities for enhanced cooperation and exchange of best practices between the two countries.The delegation also met with the Commissioner of Delhi Police and held productive discussions on best practices and effective strategies adopted in preventing and addressing crimes against women and children, with particular focus on women’s and children's safety, protection mechanisms, legal enforcement and community awareness initiatives.The delegation held discussions with women-led self-help groups and representatives of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry Ladies Organisation (FICCI FLO).During the visit, the delegation is participating in a comprehensive programme organized by the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE) of the Parliament of India. The programme includes sessions on the Indian Parliamentary system, committee system, Parliamentary privileges and ethics, as well as discussions on women-led development initiatives and best practices adopted by India in addressing issues relating to women and children.A meeting with the Chief Minister of New Delhi and visit significant cultural and historical sites, including the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort in Agra is also scheduled for the delegation during the coming days. The Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus of Sri Lanka continues to play an important role in advocating gender equality, women’s empowerment and social inclusion through Parliamentary engagement and outreach initiatives.The delegation comprises fifteen Hon. Women Members of Parliament (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna, (Mrs.) Oshani Umanga, (Ms.) Krishnan Kalaichelvi, (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law, (Mrs.) Nilanthi Kottahachchi, Attorney-at-Law, (Mrs.) M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani, (Mrs.) Nilusha Lakmali Gamage, Attorney-at-Law, (Mrs.) Thushari Jayasingha, Attorney-at-Law, (Mrs.) Anushka Thilakarathne, Attorney-at-Law, (Mrs.) A.M.M.M. Rathwaththe, (Mrs.) Hasara Liyanage, Attorney-at-Law, (Ms.) Ambika Samivel, (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law, (Mrs.) Geetha Herath, Attorney-at-Law. Delegation also included senior Parliamentary officials, including Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, Secretary-General of Parliament and Secretary to the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus, along with Ms. Hashmi Fernandopulle, Assistant Principal Officer, Ms. Chamila Nissanga, Senior Parliamentary Interpreter and Mr. Ranil Nanayakkara, Senior Assistant Parliamentary Protocol Officer.
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