2026-01-29
News Categories : Committee News
Preliminary discussions on establishing a National Film School in Sri Lanka were held recently (Jan. 22) under the leadership of the Parliamentary Caucus on Arts and Cultural Affairs.
The meeting was chaired by the Hon. Member of Parliament Jagath Manuwarna, Chairman of the Parliamentary Caucus on Arts and Cultural Affairs, and was attended by the Hon. Deputy Minister of Mass Media, Dr. Kaushalya Ariyaratne. Officials representing the National Film Corporation, the State Cinema Advisory Board, and the Sri Lanka Foundation participated in the meeting, along with representatives from the Film Directors’ Guild, Art Directors’ Guild, Screenwriters’ Guild, SAARC Cultural Center, university academics specializing in film studies, and a number of professionals from the cinema industry.
During the meeting, officials, film professionals, and academics presented their views and proposals regarding the establishment of a National Film School. It was emphasized that the institution should go beyond theoretical instruction and offer programs focused on producing practically skilled filmmakers. The need to operate the school in accordance with international standards of film education was also discussed.
Although the establishment of a National Film School has been a long-standing discussion aimed at uplifting the local film industry, it has yet to be realized. In this context, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Caucus stressed the importance of initiating the school through the collective involvement of all relevant stakeholders, making use of existing resources, and strengthening the institution progressively over time.
Accordingly, discussions were held on taking initial steps to establish the National Film School by utilizing existing resources of the Sri Lanka Foundation, which operates under the Ministry of Mass Media, and the National Film Corporation, which functions under the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs. It was also decided to establish a committee to prepare the legal framework, obtain necessary initial approvals, and plan the required preliminary actions.
As a result, a technical committee comprising representatives from the Parliamentary Caucus on Arts and Cultural Affairs, the Sri Lanka Foundation, the National Film Corporation, the State Cinema Advisory Board, and representatives of the cinema industry was established.
The committee includes the Chairman of the Parliamentary Caucus Hon. MP Jagath Manuwarna, Chairman of the National Film Corporation Sudath Mahadivulwewa, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Foundation Prof. Seetha Bandara, Chairman of the State Cinema Advisory Board Dr. Senesh Dissanayake Bandara, Director of SAARC Cultural Center Dr. Kaushalya Kumarasinghe along with several representatives from the film sector.
In addition, another committee consisting of senior professionals in the cinema industry was appointed to plan academic activities, including the curriculum of the film school.
Attention was also drawn to reviving the currently inactive ‘International Film Festival, Colombo’ (IFF Colombo) during this year. Accordingly, agreement was reached on securing the necessary funding and establishing an institution to ensure the long-term, sustainable operation of the festival. The Chairman of the Parliamentary Caucus, Hon. MP Jagath Manuwarna, stated that he is prepared to provide the necessary support and intervention for all these initiatives.
Furthermore, discussions were held on constructing a modern, technologically advanced studio complex to support film production activities. The need to identify a suitable land area close to Colombo and the future steps required for this project were also considered.
Members of Parliament of the Parliamentary Caucus on Arts and Cultural Affairs, including Prof. Sena Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law Susantha Dodawatte, Attorney-at-Law Nilanthi Kottahachchi, Ruwan Mapalagama, Sugath Wasantha de Silva, Attorney-at-Law Hiruni Wijesinghe, Dinesh Hemantha, Upul Kithsiri, and several other MPs, also participated in the meeting.
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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