2025-12-03
News Categories : Committee News
The Committee on Public Finance recently reviewed two Gazette notifications issued under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, a Gazette issued under the Public Debt Management Act, and the supplementary estimates for the year 2025. The Committee met on the 27th November, chaired by Hon. Member of Parliament Dr. Harsha de Silva.
Following extensive consideration, the Committee granted approval for the regulations published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2458/43 dated 15th October 2025, issued under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act No. 1 of 1969. Officials informed the Committee that these regulations permitted the importation of rice from 15th October to 28th October 2025, as a temporary measure to address the shortage of Keeri Samba rice in the market. They further stated that 64,000 metric tons of Ponni Samba rice had been imported from India as a substitute for Keeri Samba.
However, the Committee inquired why the market price of Keeri Samba rice remained high despite these imports. It was pointed out that the use of Ponni Samba as a substitute for Keeri Samba had not been successful. The Committee also noted that although a controlled price had been imposed, large-scale mill owners were issuing fraudulent invoices and selling Keeri Samba at higher prices, and stressed that immediate intervention is necessary to stop this practice.
The Committee questioned officials from the Ministry of Agriculture regarding annual rice demand, production volumes, and costs of production, and highlighted the serious issue of the absence of accurate, up-to-date data.
Meanwhile, the Committee also extensively reviewed the regulations published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2459/46 dated 24th October 2025, issued under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act No. 1 of 1969, relating to vehicle imports. Officials stated that certain motor vehicles had been held by Sri Lanka Customs for non-compliance with Regulation No. 5 of the Imports and Exports (Control) Regulations No. 2 of 2013, published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 1804/17 dated 3 April 2013, which sets out conditions for the importation of vehicles. A court case concerning this matter is currently ongoing.
Officials explained that, based on the conditions agreed upon by the Ministry of Finance and the Attorney General’s Department, and following discussions with relevant parties, these new regulations were issued to facilitate the settlement reached before the Court. The Committee emphasised that the Attorney General’s Department must submit the agreement in writing to the Committee. Officials were informed that the Committee would consider granting approval thereafter.
The Committee also reviewed the Orders published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2459/52 dated 24th October 2025, issued under the Public Debt Management Act No. 33 of 2024. Under the powers vested in the Minister of Finance by Sections 35 and 31(7) of the Act, these Orders seek to delegate authority to the Public Debt Management Office to engage, without legal impediment, with primary dealers and other designated market participants. Following extensive review, the Committee granted approval for these Orders.
Additionally, after detailed consideration, the Committee approved the submission to Parliament of two supplementary estimates amounting to Rs. 31.5 billion and Rs. 18.5 billion for the year 2025.
Hon. Deputy Minister Dr. Kaushalya Ariyaratne; Hon. Members of Parliament Rauff Hakeem, Ravi Karunanayake, Nimal Palihena, Chithral Fernando, Wijesiri Basnayake, Sunil Rajapaksha, Thilina Samarakoon, Champika Hettiarachchi and Attorney-at-Law Lakmali Hemachandra, along with several officials attended the Committee meeting.
2025-12-03
The Chair of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Science, Technology and Digital Transformation, Hon. Member of Parliament (Dr.) Janaka Senarathne, emphasized the importance of the Ministry of Digital Economy formulating and implementing a coordination mechanism to connect government institutions at district level with the GovPay project.He made these remarks during the recent meeting of the Sectoral Oversight Committee, held in Parliament on the 25th November, to review the progress relating to the 2025 budget proposals for the Ministry of Digital Economy and the Ministry of Science and Technology.Highlighting the necessity for a greater number of government institutions at district level to integrate with the GovPay project introduced under the government’s digitalization programme, the Committee Chair stressed that ministerial-level coordination is essential to ensure its effective implementation and future expansion.He further pointed out the need to appoint officers with knowledge in digital technology to every government institution as part of the digitalization process of public institutions.Officials from institutions under the Ministry of Digital Economy participated in the meeting and briefed the Committee on developments in the digital sector and the measures implemented thus far.The Committee also directed its attention to the responsibilities carried out under the Ministry of Science and Technology. Extensive discussions were held regarding the Ministry’s work to promote research and innovation, including new scientific discoveries.The meeting was attended by Hon. Deputy Minister of Power Arkam Ilyas, and Hon. Members of Parliament Chandima Hettiaarachchi, Lasith Bhashana Gamge, Attorney-at-Law Hasara Liyanage, Chathura Galappaththi, and PC, M. Nizam Kariapper.
2025-12-03
The distribution will be carried out by the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus under the leadership of the Ministry of Women and Child AffairsThe women’s and child sanitary products donated by the All-China Women’s Federation (ACWF) will be distributed to those affected by floods and landslides, under the leadership of the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, and through the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus.On 25 November 2025, the All-China Women’s Federation donated a stock of goods valued at 1,000,000 yuan (approximately Rs. 43 million). These items included women’s sanitary products intended for establishing a Mmother and Baby Room and a Childcare Centre for the children of staff members of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, as well as for distribution across the island through the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus.Accordingly, as part of this donation, sanitary pads, baby diapers, baby wipes, tissue paper, soft cotton towels, and disinfectant hand sanitizer, among other women’s and child sanitary products, have been allocated for distribution to those affected by the disaster situation.With the intervention of the Hon. Minister of Women and Child Affairs and Chairperson of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus, (Mrs.) Saroja Savitri Paulraj, the Ministry and the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus will jointly coordinate the distribution of these items.Expressing her views on this initiative, the Hon.Minister and Chairperson stated that providing this donation to those affected by the unfortunate circumstances would offer some relief, while also reflecting support for Sri Lanka’s efforts toward women’s empowerment and child well-being.Furthermore, the Secretary General of Parliament and the Secretary of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, extended special appreciation to the People’s Republic of China, the Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka H.E. Qi Zhenhong, and the All-China Women’s Federation for their primary role in facilitating this contribution. She also conveyed her gratitude to the Hon. Minister Saroja Savitri Paulraj and all members of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus for their continued support from the outset of this initiative.
2025-12-02
The performance reports and annual reports of several State institutions were reviewed at the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations.This was during the meeting of the Committee held in Parliament on 2025.11.21 under the chairpersonship of the Hon. Member of Parliament Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney at Law.Accordingly, the reports of the following institutions under the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies were reviewed:1. Import and Export Control Department2. Department of National Planning3. Department of Public Enterprises4. Assessment Department5. Sri Lanka Customs6. Department of External Resources7. Department of Development Finance8. Department of Census and Statistics9. Fiscal Policy Department10. Department of Public FinanceDuring the committee meeting held, an extensive discussion was held regarding the functions, future plans, requirements, etc. of these Departments.Hon. Members of Parliament Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi and Wijesiri Basnayake also participated in this Committee meeting held.
2025-11-28
COPA’s attention on unauthorized constructionsReport requested on vehicles currently in use and vehicles not in the custody of the DepartmentAttention on addressing the shortage of staff in the Accounts DivisionThe Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) drew attention to 11 development projects implemented under the Department of Irrigation that have been abandoned or have failed to achieve their intended objectives.These matters were discussed at the COPA meeting held on 25th November 2025, chaired by Hon. Member of Parliament Kabir Hashim, convened to review the Auditor General’s Report of 2023 pertaining to the Department of Irrigation and to examine its current performance.The Committee highlighted that 11 development projects, with an estimated total value of Rs. 55,078 million and an expenditure of Rs. 4,047.43 million, have now been either abandoned or temporarily suspended. Among these projects are the Uma Oya Lower Basin Development Project, the Lower Malwathu Oya Development Project, and the Yan Oya Reservoir Development Project.The Committee stressed that these nationally important projects must be completed without delay based on a clear prioritization framework. It further emphasized that some projects had been initiated without identifying proper priorities and reiterated the need for more responsible management of public funds.Attention was also drawn to unauthorized constructions that obstruct canals, waterways, or reservoirs, or otherwise harm irrigation infrastructure. The Committee noted that further discussions on this matter will be scheduled for a future meeting.COPA also examined issues related to vehicles in the possession of the Department. It was noted that as of 31st August 2022, 2,004 vehicles were registered under the Department of Irrigation, whereas departmental records indicate that only 1,560 vehicles are currently accounted for. This means 464 vehicles are not in the custody of the Department and the Committee instructed the Department to submit a comprehensive report containing all relevant details.The Committee also focused on the shortage of staff in the Accounts Division and recommended that the Department submit the necessary requests to the Department of Management Services for the required appointments, and provide a copy of the correspondence to COPA.Hon. State Ministers Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Aruna Jayasekara and Sugath Thilakaratne, and Hon. MPs Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Kavinda Jayawardena, Hector Appuhamy, Chamara Sampath, Oshani Umanga, Lal Premanath, and Sunil Ratnasiri were present at this committee meeting .
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