2025-12-09
News Categories : Committee News
The Committee on Public Finance (COPF) which met on 03 December 2025, considered several important matters, including the regulations issued under the National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act, No. 05 of 2015, published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2452/39 of 04 September 2025, the Annual Work Programme for 2026 of the National Audit Office, and the Final Report prepared under Standing Order 121(5)(ii) on the Appropriation Bill for the financial year 2026.
The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Dr. Harsha de Silva, Hon. Member of Parliament.
During the discussion on the NMRA regulations, the Committee recommended enhancing system transparency and visibility in the medicine registration process. Accordingly, the Regulations under the National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act, No. 05 of 2015 published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2452/39 was approved by the Committee following consideration.
The Committee also considered the 2026 Annual Work Programme of the National Audit Office. According to the Programme, 3,508 audits will be carried out in 2026. These include 3,484 Financial Audits, 11 Performance Audits, 1 Environmental Audit, 12 Special Audits
As presented, audits of Samurdhi Community-Based Banks and Samurdhi Community-Based Bank Societies have been newly assigned to the Auditor General from 2026 onwards.
The Committee raised concerns regarding the staff capacity required to carry out the Samurdhi audits. The acting Auditor General stated that an additional 10%–15% staff would be required beyond the current cadre. He further informed the Committee that pilot audits are being conducted through regional offices and will continue until the end of February, after which the actual capacity requirements whether through recruitment or outsourcing will be determined.
It was further noted that the annual work Programme will be forwarded to Parliament, as provided for in the Audit Act, which requires that any review or recommendation be submitted to the Speaker and the relevant authorities. Followed by extensive discussion, the Committee agreed to make an observation to the Speaker that it supports the possible outsourcing of the additional Samurdhi-related audit work, subject to the Auditor General’s evaluation. Accordingly, the Committee directed the National Audit Office to do a pilot project and report back to the Committee by the end of February 2026.
In addition, COPF deliberated on the Final Report prepared under Standing Order 121(5)(ii) relating to the Appropriation Bill for the financial year 2026. The report reflected the Committee’s observations and recommendations following its review of ministerial budget proposals and financial allocations for the upcoming year.
In extension, the Committee on Public Finance, under the Chairmanship of Dr. Harsha de Silva, Hon. Member of Parliament also conducted a special meeting today, 05th December 2025 to consider the Resolution for the provision of allocations for restoration of the disrupted lives of the people affected by the emergency disaster situation through a supplementary estimate.
This resolves that, an additional sum not exceeding Rupees Fifty Thousand Million (Rs. 50,000,000,000) shall be payable out of the Consolidated Fund of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka or any other fund or finances possessed by the Government or any loan obtained by the Government at the discretion of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, for the services of the financial year commencing on January 01, 2025 and ending on December 31, 2025 and the manner that, the said sum may be expended.
Moreover, Regulations under Section 71 of the Value Added Tax Act, No. 14 of 2002 published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2460/44 which was also approved following consideration.
Hon. Members of Parliament who are Members of the Committee on Public Finance were present at these Committee meetings held.
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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