The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE), chaired by Hon. Member of Parliament (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera, conducted an observation visit to the Industrial Technology Institute (ITI) in Colombo 7 on 17.02.2026. During the visit, the Committee reviewed the current status of ITI, its facilities, and the challenges it faces.
The Chairman stated during discussions with ITI officials that the purpose of the visit was to gain an understanding of the actual condition of the institution and its role in serving society, as well as to assess the contribution it could make to the Government’s development agenda. He emphasized that the visit was undertaken with developmental expectations.
ITI is the only institution in Sri Lanka equipped with top-tier laboratory and testing facilities that support both research and testing functions. The Committee focused on matters including ITI’s accreditation and international recognition, its unique technical capabilities, specialized testing services and facilities, issues relating to coal testing, and the underutilization of pharmaceutical and lubricant testing laboratories.
It was revealed that ITI operates six Research and Development (R&D) divisions and seven service divisions providing testing services. These include pharmaceutical, material, chemical, microbiological testing, calibration, electrotechnology, and residue analysis.
The Institute also facilitates Environmental Protection Licenses and provides factory layout designs and machinery-related technical advice to industrialists.
With regard to accreditation and international recognition, it was disclosed that accreditation is the key factor ensuring the credibility of the institution. ITI complies with the ISO 17025 (2017) international standard.
Initially accredited by SWEDAC of Sweden, since 2013 ITI has been obtaining internationally recognized accreditation through the Sri Lanka Accreditation Board (SLAB). At present, the institution holds accreditation for more than 1,035 internationally recognized parameters. ITI conducts numerous nationally significant tests, including testing of food, water (for arsenic and other contaminants), pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics (such as mercury content).
It was further revealed that a modern instrument valued at Rs. 143 million was recently added to test pesticide residues in tea, vegetables, and fruits exported overseas.
ITI also conducts sound testing and acoustic design services required for highways and factories. Issues relating to coal testing of imported coal were also discussed.
Currently, approximately Rs. 32 million is paid over a six-month period to foreign institutions to test coal imported into Sri Lanka. ITI officials pointed out that by investing approximately Rs. 350 million as initial capital (including 14 items of equipment), these testing facilities could be established within ITI itself with proper accreditation.
It was revealed that reports issued by the Norochcholai laboratory are not internationally or legally accepted due to the absence of accreditation. It was also discussed that the laboratory does not function as an independent third-party testing facility.
Due to the underutilization of pharmaceutical and lubricant testing laboratories, several audit queries have already been raised. It was further disclosed that certain facilities established using government funds remain underutilized, which is a serious concern, especially as these laboratories were set up in accordance with government recommendations.
The pharmaceutical testing laboratory established in 2019 with Treasury provisions amounting to Rs. 99 million remains underutilized due to the lack of agreements with the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA). Additionally, although Rs. 117 million was spent between 2017–2020 to construct a petroleum and lubricant testing laboratory, it has not been effectively utilized due to the absence of a proper mechanism for obtaining oil samples.
A major issue in pharmaceutical testing was identified as the failure to adhere to the WHO recommendation on the “separation of regulator and tester,” with regulatory bodies themselves conducting testing, thereby creating a conflict of interest.
It was agreed during discussions that a legal mechanism should be developed to encourage the use of accredited and independent government institutions such as ITI for government testing activities. This would help ensure public confidence and compliance with international standards such as those of the WHO.
The observation visit was attended by Hon. Members of Parliament M.K.M. Aslam, Attorney-at-Law Nilanthi Kottahachchi, Samanmali Gunasinghe, (Dr.) S. Sri Bawanandarajah, Ruwan Mapalagama, Asitha Niroshan Egodawithana, and Chandima Hettiarachchi.
2026-05-26
The Central Provincial Council was summoned before the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) to examine the Auditor General’s triennial report for the years 2021–2023, the Auditor General’s report for 2024, and the Council’s current performance.The committee meeting, chaired by Hon. Member of Parliament Kabir Hashim, was held recently at Parliament.During the meeting, attention was drawn to the progress made in implementing recommendations issued at the COPA meeting held on 5th September, 2019. Discussions focused on the incident involving the destruction of files belonging to the Central Provincial Passenger Transport Authority.It was revealed that directives issued by the relevant court and the Presidential Secretary regarding the incident had not been implemented by the responsible authorities. In this regard, the Committee Chairman instructed officials of the Central Provincial Council to submit all reports and correspondence related to the incident to the committee.In addition, the committee discussed an incident involving the unlawful transfer of a rest house owned by the Road Development Authority to a third party in violation of lease conditions. Accordingly, the Chairman instructed officials to identify the officers responsible for making the relevant decisions and to submit a report to the committee on the legal action being taken in connection with the matter.The committee also held extensive discussions on irregularities identified by the National Audit Office in road development and passenger transport services in the Central Province, as well as issues affecting the health sector.Expressing his views during the meeting, the Chairman emphasized the importance of expediting ongoing investigations within institutions and focusing on follow-up action. He further stressed that if a state institution generates profits, such profits should accrue to the government, and if such revenue is used for institutional activities, established legal provisions and procedures must be strictly followed.The meeting was attended by committee members Hon. Members of Parliament Dr. M.L.A.M. Hizbullah, Ruwanthilaka Jayakody, Attorney-at-Law Thushari Jayasinghe, Sunil Rathnasiri, Oshani Umanga, Susantha Kumara Navarathna, Ajantha Gammeddage, Chanaka Madugoda, T.K. Jayasundara and Lal Premanath along with a group of government officials.
2026-05-26
The Parliamentary Select Committee of Parliament to look into and report to Parliament on the matter of selecting the Electoral System under which the Provincial Council Elections should be held and submit its proposals and recommendations in that regard, recently sought views from the Attorney General’s Department and members of the Election Commission.The discussion took place when the committee met in Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. Minister Vijitha Herath.During the meeting, the Attorney General’s Department briefed the committee on the existing legal obstacles to holding Provincial Council elections and the possible ways in which such obstacles could be removed to facilitate the conduct of the elections.The Election Commission informed the committee that it is prepared to conduct Provincial Council elections at any time under the legal provisions enacted by Parliament based on the committee’s recommendations.The meeting was attended by Hon. Deputy Ministers Arun Hemachandra, Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law and Muneer Mulaffer as well as committee members Hon. Members of Parliament Mano Ganesan, Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam, Dharmapriya Wijesinghe, Samanmali Gunasinghe and Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi. The committee member M. Nizam Kariapper, P.C also participated virtually.
2026-05-25
The Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus has decided to examine the ongoing legal proceedings and matters relating to the protection of the girl involved in the sexual abuse incident reported from the Anuradhapura area.This decision was taken during the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus meeting chaired by Hon. Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj, held in Parliament today (May 25). Accordingly, a special discussion has been scheduled for 05.06.2026 with the participation of relevant institutions including the Sri Lanka Police, the Attorney General’s Department, the National Child Protection Authority and the Department of Probation and Child Care Services.In addition to the incident, which has generated significant public concern, the discussion is also expected to focus extensively on strengthening the laws and empowering the institutions required to prevent all forms of violence against women and children.Meanwhile, it was also decided to appoint a subcommittee under the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus to oversee the future legal proceedings relating to the Anuradhapura girl’s case and to identify the institutional and legal reforms required in the country to eliminate violence against women and children.The subcommittee will be led by the deputy co-chairs of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus Hon. Members of Parliament Samanmali Gunasinghe and Attorney-at-Law Chamindrani Kiriella. The other members of the subcommittee will be Hon. Hemali Weerasekara, Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathna, Attorney-at-Law Sagarika Athauda, Attorney-at-Law Nilanthi Kottahachchi, Attorney-at-Law Nilusha Lakmali Gamage, Attorney-at-Law Thushari Jayasinghe, Attorney-at-Law Anushka Thilakarathna, Attorney-at-Law Hasara Liyanage, Attorney-at-Law Hiruni Wijesinghe and Attorney-at-Law Lakmali Hemachandra.
2026-05-25
The progress of implementing the new education reforms was reviewed at a recent meeting of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Manpower and Human Capital, chaired by Hon. Member of Parliament Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi. During the meeting held in Parliament on the 19th, extensive discussions were held on the implementation of the new education reforms.Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Mr. Nalaka Kaluwewa, briefed the committee on the manner in which the new education reforms are being implemented.The meeting was attended by Hon. Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa, committee members, provincial education secretaries, school principals, and several other officials.
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